Lord Fisher who died recently , aged 91 , founded with his wife the 'Latin American' zoo on his Kilverstone estate in Norfolk , UK , in 1973 . The collection became a treasure-trove for lovers of unusual species , particularly primates and carnivores . There were also studs of miniature Falabella horses and Miniature donkeys . Unfortunately Kilverstone never made money and 18 years after opening it closed and the collection was dispersed . I was fortunate to visit the collection several times and was able to watch its expansion . It had a lovely riverside setting with walled gardens . The collection of marmosets and tamarins was extensive , these all went to the USA after the closure . There were many species and sub-species of spider monkeys . Amongst the carnivores were Pampas cat , Olingo , Grison and Tayra .
Sorry to hear this. I was surprised to see that there are no pictures of this collection in the gallery!
And *this* is why it is the closed collection I most wish had managed to hold on until the present day! Sadly, it was unsuccessful and obscure enough that I think barely any members of this site visited, and even fewer took photographs - a great shame as some of the stuff they had would have been great to see photographed.
I must admit I expected to see a UK thread for it as there are a lot of closed collections included . I have lots of guide books but no decent photos . I wonder if it would have done better in a more populated part of the country . Though Banham seems to thrive and is not that far away and 'in the middle of nowhere ' .
I doubt it would've thrived anywhere as it was a specialist collection, no great apes, lions, tigers, giraffes etc etc etc... Banham has a lot of 'ABC' animals including giraffes, zebras and 4 species of large cat. I echo Daves sentiments about missing out on something special. I was only young when it closed and didn't even know it existed, around the same time (as part of the family) I visited Banham and Suffolk Wildlife Park, which is now Africa Alive. Talk about regrets? (In my defence I was about 6 or 7 at the time... )
A few species in the 1990 guide book- Tayra , Grison , Paca , Tree-climbing ( grey ) Fox , Dusky titi , Black-bearded Saki , 7 different Spider Monkeys . 18 species of Marmoset/Tamarin - Weddells' Tamarin , Geoffroy's Tamarin , Tassel-eared Marmoset amongst others . 8 species of cat - black Geoffroy's Cat , Jaguarundi , Pampas Cats , Oncilla . Allen's Olingo , Naked-tailed Armadillo , Giant Anteater ( a rarity then ) . there were birds but mammals were the speciality .
I remember seeing an article in a magazine about Kilverstone, back in the early 1980's. There was a photo of the Lord and his wife (in a dress) being greeted by a pair of maned wolves. Hix
I reckon the closest we have these days to Kilverstone in terms of collection range and focus would be Hamerton; one reason I am so fond of said collection despite its flaws. But even Hamerton has a handful of "ABC's", so this is one difference. As for the species list you specifically quote, Bele, it is worth noting the captive state of the various unusual taxa listed: Tayra - these have gradually been increasing in numbers as of late; something I am very happy indeed about. Olingos - neither species is extant in Europe, with Kilverstone being the last holder of the Allen's Olingo in the 1980s, and Kerzers in Switzerland being the last holder of the Northern Olingo in approximately 2005. Geoffroy's Cat - quietly chugging along in about 25 collections or so, although I think the population is in decline as I haven't heard of any successful births in recent years. Jaguarundi - about 20 collections in Europe have these, and there have been a few births in recent years. Oncilla - not doing amazingly well, with only 5 collections in Europe still holding these and no births in several years. Pampas Cats - entirely absent from Europe since Parco Faunistico La Torbiera in Italy went out of them in 1996 (interestingly, they were also the last collection to hold Marbled Cats at pretty much the same time!) Grison - the greater grison is down to one collection in Holland, the lesser grison is entirely absent from Europe as of 2000. Paca - the Lowland Paca isn't doing too badly, but the Mountain paca is only just hanging on in 2 collections, one on the Isle of Wight and one in Russia. Grey fox - entirely absent from Europe. Interestingly, ZTL has no record of Kilverstone having held this species. Dusky titi - entirely absent from Europe since Kilverstone held them. Tassel-eared Tamarin - entirely absent from Europe since Kilverstone held them. Weddell's Tamarin - just about holding on at one collection in the Netherlands. Black saki - just about hanging on, being found at Colchester and Belfast. However the latter collection recently managed a first European breeding, so maybe this species will begin to get a firmer foothold in coming years. Naked Tailed-Armadillo - interestingly, ZTL has no record of Kilverstone having held this species, which has not been found in Europe since Jersey went out of them in the late 1960's. Giant Anteater - having something of a renaissance of late, with almost 50 collections holding the species. Of the 12 UK collections holding the species, all but London have obtained them in the past 5 years or so.
Amazona in Cromer could go all out and import some more unusual South American species if they so wished, unfortunately it appears to be a very 'mainstream' zoo so they would be unlikely to go down this route. Incidentally it is also situated in Norfolk, which has been pointed out else where, seems to throw up geographic based collections quite frequently: Africa Alive, Amazona, Thrigby and the now closed Norfolk Wildlife Park. Coincedence? Great bit of research Dave, ZTL seems to be in need of an update regarding Kilverstone! It is very interesting to note that an unknown (to me anyway) Italian collection such as Parco Faunistico La Torbiera held the last pampas and marbled cats in Europe. Off that list I would love to see an olingo of any species or a pampas cat, guess that means a flight to South or Central America!
Although not a species held by Kilverstone, if you want a shorter flight than one across the Atlantic it might be worth getting yourself to Arnhem Zoo to see their last elderly Ringtail - it's certainly a species I very much would like to see.
I was sure I'd seen a ringtail somewhere in the UK at one point but can't think when or where. It's probably a false memory or wishful thinking but if I did then I'm quite upset about the fact I have no clear recollection of it. EDIT:- The only place I've visited that isn't on Zootierliste is the now defunct Malvern Hills Wildlife Park so if I saw one then it was probably there. I know they had kinkajou, raccoon and various South American primates but I'm damned if I can remember ringtails...
Ravensden Zoo, which closed in 1999, held the species - but I haven't the foggiest when this was. If you ever went to this collection, it is the most likely option - London and Jersey also held the species, but a good few decades ago. Either way, still probably a good idea to see the Arnhem animal before it is too late!
We cross-posted, I edited my post with another possible contender which is completely absent from ZTL. I'm most definitely to young to have seen the Bristol or London animals! Arnhem may well be the last chance to see this species in Europe as I don't imagine there's much call for a fresh import. (Saying that, look at Chacoan mara and grison! )
The grey Fox - Urocyon cinereoargentateus - was a lovely species . I think the original UK stock came from breeding at Grahame Dangerfield's private collection . London Zoo had them in the cages behind the Sea-lion enclosure where they would often be up in the bushes . Ravensden Zoo were dealers , not certain if ever open to the public .
there's quite a longish article here about his death and life: Lord Fisher - Telegraph Rosamund Fisher wrote a book about the zoo in about 1980, I think it was just called "Kilverstone".
The book was called 'My Jungle Babies' , published in 1979 , I have a copy of it . Lady Fisher was very fond of hand-rearing all sorts of creatures born in the Park , lots of monkeys , jaguars and many others .
that's the one! I've got a copy as well, but all my books are packed in boxes now so I couldn't check the title.
During the 1980s I used to visit Kilverstone several times annually; it had a great collection of rarely seen neotropical animals (particularly primates and carnivores). I think it is still the only zoo where I’ve ever seen tassel-eared marmosets Callithrix humeralifera. Another rarely seen primate at Kilverstone, not mentioned elsewhere in this thread, were black-handed tamarins Saguinus niger (or as they were called in those days Saguinus midas niger as they were then considered to be a sub-species of red-handed tamarin). I also especially liked the naked-tailed armadillo and melanistic Geoffroy’s cat. On one occasion I recall seeing Lady Fisher wheeling a hand-reared Allen’s olingo round the premises in a doll’s pram!
The guide-books , as well as featuring colour photos of all the rarities also feature Lady Fisher , always very glamourously dressed , cuddling miniature horse and donkey foals or hand feeding baby monkeys , jaguars and others . There is a picture of a baby squirrel monkey being bathed in a fine china teacup and saucer and a baby marmoset clinging onto a manicured finger . The back cover of the last guide I have shows Lord and Lady Fisher sat at their dining table having breakfast , with all the family silver on show . Behind are portraits of her sat with a Chuiaha( that does not look right ? ) dog on her lap and a Goeldi's monkey on her shoulder , he stands in front of the Hall with flamingos on the lawn . Lady Fisher has 2 golden conure on her shoulder and hand , Lord Fisher has a black-headed caique on his shoulder .
