Sable antelope are the latest in a long list of ‘charismatic’ hoodstock to leave Marwell. What a shame; the ‘Africa’ area of the park is starting to feel a bit empty.. Any idea where the banteng will be situated?
It is interesting that there is a perception that a lot of "charismatic hoof-stock", and African species in particular, have left Marwell as this is not substantiated by facts. I have check back on the records of the African ungulates (omitting domestic animals which Marwell has not kept for years and would not be considered charismatic species anyway) and note the following. From when Marwell opened (1972) through to the end of the 1970s, the most species of African ungulates kept was 17 and it was not until 1984 that the total reached 20. It has remained, give of take one or two species, to around 20 since then, only exceeded in 2009-2011 when there were 23 (18 Artiodactyla and 5 Perissodactyla) There has only been one year since 1993 when the African Perissodactyla dropped to 4 and that was when the Common zebra were moved out of the Zoo to allow the building of Wild Explorers (much needed new housing for 3 of the existing African ungulates). The 2019 Annual Report lists 22 species and about three-quarters of these species were at Marwell 25 years ago (and many for a much longer period). So the collection of species is more stable than is assumed by some. The fact that the numbers of specimens of many of these species has declined (often to improve animal welfare and management needs) is probably a reason why there is the perception that there are less species to be seen. In 2020 the Congo buffalo and Warthog left and, as reported elsewhere, the Sable are scheduled to go, but there are good indications that they will be replaced by new African species during the course of this year, thus maintaining a count of 20 or more species.
Time will tell I guess, but I'm not as optimistic as some. I will believe it when I see it! Marwell will need a net gain of at least 10-15 species to get back to where it once was! African hoofstock may not have reduced much but everything else has!
Not sure I can go on the record with the exact details, but broadly speaking "a recent change in staff/management which I have been informed about" covers it.
Arabian oryx certainly are still in the collection (but not included in the list of African ungulates for the obvious reason!).
In a recent news email from Marwell it mentions that they now have 4 Banteng - names are Dewi, Anisa, Jin and Henky. No mention of where the 3 females came from (male is from Burgers as mentioned up-thread).
