Here’s the link to the Instagram announcement - Marwell Zoo on Instagram: "Say hello to Warjun Read more: Link in our bio We’re “chuffed” to announce the exciting arrival of our new snow leopard! Warjun, who will be two in May, is currently settling into his new habitat after travelling from Czech Republic. While he gets used to his new home, his side will be closed off. You may still catch a glimpse of him but we ask you to stay behind the barriers so he can explore his new surroundings and we’ll update you once it fully reopens. Carrie Arnold, Carnivores Team Leader, said: “Warjun is a really exciting new arrival to the zoo. “He’s doing incredibly well since arriving last night and we’ve seen lots of positive behaviours as he starts exploring his new home. Warjun is a young animal and we hope one day he will play a vital role in securing the future of this species.” Irina, our female snow leopard will be visible as usual on the other side of the snow leopard habitat. Credit - Zoo Zurich, Fabio Süess" - exciting news indeed. When is the new enclosure opening?
They mean the 2 sides of the current exhibit. The main side (large glass viewing windows) and the netted section with the wooden balcony/raised area (second side), to my understanding
Zoo Liberec took in 4 snow leopards including Warjun in August last year when Zurich needed to start with the construction.
I think HelloCrossy might be right. It is more likely that they have split the older part of the enclosure. Also good news that they have imported a large animal from the continent after the giraffe palaver.
I have been now told that the new male is in the side 'near Science & Learning'. But I am not familiar with which side is being developed on...
This will then be in the second part (left hand side) of the current enclosure. The new enclosure is being developed to the right of the current one.
Just curious... Do they plan on keeping more than one pair of snow Leopard? Personally I think they should have the entire expansion for this pair, as they so with the Tigers, however the way I understood their posts from last year they may be planning for multiple? If anyone knows that'd be amazing!
A letter to you from our new CEO, Laura Read - Marwell Zoo Also find this to answer a few questions aforementioned in this thread!
I don't know, but I would assume that they would want more snow leopards. At 2 Warjun has only just become an adult. Their existing snow leopard, Irina, is 16, which is elderly for the species. I would have thought they would want to get a breeding age female at some point to pair with Warjun. The message from Laura Read sounds very positive. Her interest in conservation does seem to be what we were hoping we could read between the lines. I like it that she wants to do consumer research later in the year.
I believe that is the plan - to get more snow leopards. The new space will help. I agree - her first month[?] in office has already seen positive change at Marwell - and the announcements on social media of the future crayfish fundraising project seem to give a positive view of what is to come not far from now. I do have a fear of being overly optimistic... but to speak my thoughts Laura does look a promising addition to Marwell - and I'm sure her transparency and willingness to listen to the consumers will work nicely for Marwell in the years to come.
I'm presuming this is the largest herd of Banteng in the UK? A massive conservation success! A welcome sign, together with the new Snow Leopard, of an upturn in Marwell's fortunes.
According to ZTL: West MIdlands - 10 as of '21 [4,6] Chester - 22 as of '18 [2,16] Edinburgh - 11 as of '17 [4,7] Though not sure how the numbers are now. But still this is great growth for Marwell with this endangered species!
Remarkable numbers. It felt about 15 years ago Banteng were quite rare in British zoos. They aren't common by any stretch now but they feel more common than they were, and if they keep breeding at this rate we could well see a few more holders. With them now being an EAZA priority species I could see London or Whipsnade going for them in the near future.
