Birmingham Nature Centre Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park News 2018

Starting the year off with a new animal for the collection. A friend of mine volunteers at the park and puts up photos of the animals she works with on a regular basis.

Today one of these was the Patagonian Mara, a new species for the collection which in my opinion fit in really well with the current stock and the size of the centre as well.

 

I noticed these last week. They're currently in the squirrel monkey enclosure.

 

Haven't they already kept Mara at BWCP before in the past while it was known as the Nature Centre? Because I'm pretty sure I remember seeing them there back in June 2012.

 

I personally don't remember seeing them when I was younger but I'm most likely mistaken.

 

Well, either way I'm happy to hear that they are back in the collection.

 

I can remember seeing them (Mara) in 2011 they were mixed with the Ring tailed coati in the now small monkey mixed enclosure

 

The park have confirmed they have 4 Mara.

 

A male Chinese Crocodile Lizard (Shinisaurus crocodilurus) has gone on-show in the former Rhinoceros Ratsnake enclosure in the reptile house.

 

Another lifer for me after the black tree monitor!

 

I'm intending to visit up from London soon.Hoping it's worth it it.? Given the limited size of the place,am i right in assuming that seasonally,the animal stocklists change. Some species leave to make room for other species?

 

Eric, just to manage expectations, I would point out that although BWCP uses a greater proportion of it's area for enclosures (no vast "wasteful" lawns) many of these are paddocks meaning that it has considerably less to look at than Bristol, especially when considering Bristol's well stocked reptile house and invert house (and small aquarium too). That's not to say BWCP is not a great little place (I always enjoy my visits) just that Bristol's in a different league (arguably the best "small/smaller" zoo in UK). Check Zootierliste for clarification if needed.

 

Thanks folks,for the helpful input for my impending first visit. I'm ever the keen zoo fan,and my interest is still peaked just to see it for a first time visitor,to judge for myself.

 

6.5 compared to 12, just over half the size...

 

Somebody's going to have to get a tape measure out*. In my mind Brum seems nearer the mark but I sometimes struggle with areas (for those that remember my incorrect belief that Twycross' Giraffe enclosure/paddock was not much bigger than it's predecessor -woefully wrong).

*Failing that we could arrange a fight and sell tickets with proceeds to conservation charity. I initially thought a drinking contest might be more civilised but thought that might turn out a bit one sided.

 

My measurements come from the IZES guide by Tim Brown. And I would much rather have a drinking contest, no fist fight afterwards. If I can't win on beer alone then I don't want to play!

And I'm perplexed as to how I have this reputation as a big drinker, I just enjoy a refreshing alcoholic beverage when appropriate!

 

Why did you automatically assume I was suggesting you were the big drinker who'd win? Case proven.

 

I'm amazed by the sizes put up here. I know Bristol is small but it feels far bigger than BNC. I went to BNC last autumn having done Dudley in the morning and can safely say I covered it thoroughly in an hour, and that included a good 20 minutes trying to view the Loris and get a nice picture in the Nocturnal house (my fav part). I loved the Red Panda exhibit there though, it was really good.

If it is only a couple of acres smaller than Bristol, then I'm amazed and Bristol definitely has far more in it's grounds and uses it's space far better.