Anna Ryder-Richardson - TV Program Sun 30th Nov

03-12-2008

This was only one program in which several months of footage was cut and edited together, Bens zoo was on for several weeks and due to this people were able to get into it more.

Would the reviews of bens zoo have been as favourbale if it had been

1 bought a zoo

2 jaguar got out, sacked a keeper

3 shot a tiger

4 wolf got out

5 almost ran out of money

6 got a loan

The end!!!

I totally agree with the posts about its location, its in the middle of no where and folly farm is thriving and only a couple of miles up the road.

Yes the place has potential, oodles of it and I wish them success with it, I don't think there in it to make money, any more so then any other zoo, making a profit to return to the zoo should be the primary concern but they have invested a lot of money into it which they will obviously want to recoup over time.

Personally I think they paid far to much for it, ok its got lots of land and a listed mansion but because of the amount of investment needed £ 1 000,000 was way to much!!

03-12-2008

This vogue for swearing on TV really winds me up. It is totally unnecessary and done deliberately in certain situations to try and 'identify' with certain people/audiences. Jamie Oliver in the 'Rotherham(?) series was 'f' ing and blinding every other word, but in the cosy 'Jamie's Kitchen' series- which is aimed at a totally different audience obviously, there's wasn't a swear word in sight...

I would immediately have lost any sympathy with the Tenby people if I'd seen this!!

03-12-2008

Can I ask the history of the zoo? It mentioned in the prog that the previous owner had died and the keepers had been keeping it running till a new owner was found.

Does anyone know how long it had been closed for etc it did seem terribly run down without the state of the cages/living conditions?

I think it was a very brave (and probably stupid thing) they did buying the zoo but at least they seem to have a decent amount of money to start the renovations.
At the end of the day although as owners they are solely responsible for the animals welfare they were getting advice re the new enclosures, employing new keepers etc, moving on animals they cant look after in the conditions they need and not attempting all that themselves.

If that was my local zoo I think I would be happy that someone was coming in and improving the conditions and keeping it open obviously as long as the animals came first. I am rather cynical of tv progs and wonder whether they were as bad 1st time unexperienced owners as shown? No mention of licences or inspections it all made it look like it was bodged together then just opened the next day!

03-12-2008

From Colchester zoo website

Last month, our two male Damara zebras were transferred to Manor House Zoo in Wales. At the end of October, another Damara male called Troy; also from Manor House, arrived at Colchester Zoo to hopefully form a breeding herd with our three females, Dot, Dash and K’tusha.
Troy was kept in a holding pen for a few days to allow him to get used to his new surroundings, but he has now been successfully introduced to the herd, and is getting along very well with the giraffes, rhinos and Shadow the zeedonk; as well as the other zebras!
The Damara Zebra population is stable in the wild but they do suffer from habitat loss and hunting for their skin. They also face problems of competition for food, as farmers graze their livestock throughout the grasslands.

03-12-2008

However, Bens zoo was set over a year or more, where as Manor house was only over a couple of months, so you can't compare them like this.

03-12-2008

My point is still valid, its down to editing!! I get that your picking a part my list of events that happened but that was purely an example.

As for events at manor house unfolding over a couple of months, well it was actaully considerably more then that, and I'm gauging that from date applying for a job to interview and the developments that happened afetr that, I would say it was 4-5 months so I still say that it was not an accurate portrayal of events

03-12-2008

T.V programmes are made for 'entertainment' Accurate portayal of events often flies out of the window.

03-12-2008

Actually, good on them. They may not know anything about animals but they are less anthropomorphic than Lady Fischer at Kilverstone or Molly Badham. I know it's a different era, but their lack of knowledge may actually create some better enclosures, in that her slightly anthropomorphic concern for their welfare might lead to some over the top enclosures in terms of space and her need to see primates in trees etc. I think directors with more experience may have created a smaller lemur compound for less money, the fact that she created the largest in europe is impressive. I'm sure the ruffed lemurs won't be mixed, or there will be some contraception.

I'm slightly impressed that they did it, and I think they can definitely carve out a niche especially if they build up their hoofstock collection with proper facilities. Financially, they are at a massive advantage due to the earning potential of the owners, so if it gets really bad, she can always return to her former career to prop up the zoo. Howletts and Port Lympne only exist because of a string of (slightly dodgy) casinos.

03-12-2008

cricket st thomas also claim to have the largest lemur walkthrough in europe

04-12-2008

There were a pair of zebras in September , the quite impressive sign on the paddock noted that they , with those at Colchester , were the only ones in the UK . At least one foal has been born at Manor House and for some years a trio shared the big paddock with the bison and emus .

In the past Damara zebra were bred at Bristol and also , I think , Blackpool . I wonder if this was the origin of these animals . I wonder if they still have the female , a group of 2.1 could be difficult .

I have some old guide books in a box and will dig them out and post a bit about the history of the Park later .

04-12-2008

The Bristol and Blackpool Damara Zebras were the same group I think- moving to Blackpool after Bristol stopped keeping them. I was sorry to see them leave Bristol- yet another traditional species gone from there. I don't know if Colchester's are from this same group though(quite possibly).

This zoo takeover seems to have aroused a lot of comment. I'm not against it but do wonder how it will all turn out. If animals' enclosures and conditions there are all improved as a result then it can't all be bad.

04-12-2008

To go almost full circle on this thread I think the Blackpool Damara's went to Folly Farm, as did the Arabian oryx and Hog deer.

Manor House Wildlife and Leisure Park - background
04-12-2008

I do not know the exact opening date by the Williams family , probably the early 1970's . At the centre of the Park is the Manor House , built in the 1750's for the Sheriff of Tenby , on the site of an earlier house . The gift shop is situated in the old Coach House . In front of the house are lawns and large mature trees . At the side are two walled gardens . There are landscaped grounds with a grotto and dell where the flamingos live . In the 1990's the park was expanded into land which dips down then up a large slope .

In its earlier days it was very popular , as well as the animal collection there were go-carts , various amusements including the slide shown being demolished on the TV programme , a very impressive train lay-out in its own building . There were falconry displays on the lawn , a tropical house , reptile/ aquarium building .

In the walled gardens were aviaries , a horrible little penguin enclosure ( where they bred ) , otter enclosure and open enclosures for mongoose and porcupine . In the paddocks were domestics , deer , emus and rhea , wallabies .

Species listed in the earlier guidebook include chimpanzees , Sykes monkeys , sooty mangabey , great hornbill and hamadryas baboon .

Later a barn was added where lamb feeding and reptile handling sessions were held and a variety of small animals were on show .

The gardens were very much a feature of the Park with very impressive displays of summer bedding and hanging baskets , lots of 'Wales in Bloom' prizes were won .

There was not a great deal of competition in the 1970's but over the years Oakwood has developed into a major attraction with some of the UK's top rides ( I think the wooden rollercoaster Megaphobia is awesome ) , directly across the road from Manor House is Heatherton where a large variety of sports can be enjoyed by all ages . Also Folly Farm has grown to be a major family attraction .

During these devepments Manor House was left in a bit of a time-warp . Enclosures that when built were up to date became old and unacceptable . When the owner Mr Williams died a few years ago things went downhill fast , I get the impression that nobody else in the family had much interest . My last visit in 2007 was rather depressing . I assume the Park was put up for sale at the end of the 2007 season .

04-12-2008

Thank you Bele for the brilliant background and history

04-12-2008

Yes, an excellent history of a Park I knew very little about until recently.

Presumably the new owners want to keep it as a Zoo/animal collection only, rather than a dual purpose wildlife/entertainment park which it seems to have been for most of its life.