Hi all , does anyone have any details of where the animals went when the zoo closed down in 1994?? There was a male Moustached Guenon there at the time , does anyone know what happened to him?? Thanks , Zupu.
Hi JacksZoo , yes thank you for that Pam mansfield runs that place. I know the Pumas went to Newquay zoo but was interested to know where some of the larger mammals went to? But thanks for your reply. Zupu.
Hi Zupu, it would be worth your while contacting Steve Nasir at Flamingoland. He used to work at Haigh Hall and is very knowledgeable on it. A female Bactrian Camel went to Heythrop but I think this was before its closure.
It would also be interesting if a species list could be put together. I remember: Bactrian camel Zebra Lowland tapir Capybara Puma Jungle cat Coati Llama
I think there is a species list, maybe at closure, in one of Clinton Keeling's "Were The...." books. Also was there not an article on the zoo in a Bartlett Society journal? Steve Nasir told me an amusing story about a "pair" of Patas Monkeys at Haigh Hall. There are some ex Southport keepers at Flamingo Land who also know quite a bit about Haigh Hall.
Just found the chapter in "Where The Penguin Plunged". Lots of details on species, but I'm afraid I have to log off now for today! Sorry.
I am thinking I had better attempt the species lists from "Where The Penguin Plunged" in stages. Here goes for 1981, with thanks to the late Clinton Keeling: Olive Baboon, Brown Capuchin, Squirrel Monkey, "Grass" Monkey, Stump-tailed Macaque, Puma, Northern Lynx, Leopard, Indian Crested Porcupine, Capybara, Brazilian Tapir, Marmot, Bactrian Camel, Chapman's Zebra, Blackbuck, Llama, Dwarf Zebu, Highland Cattle, African Pygmy Goat, Anglo-Nubian Goat, Parma Wallaby, Bennett's Wallaby, Plain Rock Wallaby, Coati, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Marsh Mongoose, Banded Mongoose, Tayra, Cacomistle, Ostrich, Chilean Flamingo, Caribbean Flamingo, Crowned Crane, Demoiselle Crane, plus a variety of waterfowl, pheasants, parrots and parakeets, and finches. Different species/breeds mentioned re 1982 are Donkey, Shetland Pony, Chipmunk, Scottish Wildcat, Gloucester Old Spot Pig, Middle White Pig, Pelican, Greater Hill Mynah. Amongst the arrivals are a Grivet Monkey, so presumably the "Grass" Monkeys must have been Grivets, an African Grey Parrot and a Ring-necked Parakeet.
I know I'm 11 years late to the party but there's a new article on Wigan World featuring some pictures and information on the zoo. It adds up to the species list above and what family members from my home town wigan have told me. My cousin remembers a panther at one point. I'm assuming this was either a leopard or a jungle cat.
I'd be very interested to know what happened to the leopard in the collection or any of the whereabouts of the animals today. It's funny how today the zoo has completely been wiped out of the history of Wigan despite being a popular tourist attraction in its day. I'm assuming this is because of the appalling animal cruelty issues that eventually led to its closure. The area is so small and with the high capacity of animals it's understandable to see why it's a hush hush topic now.
