Took me far too long to work out what an Asco was.... Interesting that the new enclosures have netting, they didn't when I was there at the end of Feb. I'm guessing that they're for more carnivores rather than birds.
What I love about Wingham updates is that they are basically guaranteed to be interesting and positive.
Agreed, the best I could come up with was "a 1970's zoo in the modern era" then the chimp enclosure came along and wrecked that analogy. For the record, (overall) I like the place and it's the only Kent collection that's guaranteed a visit (but never on a weekend) when I'm down there.
Yeah, a continuously expanding, varied/unusual, collection ticks most of our boxes and helps paper over a few cracks (see also RSCC).
What is the current situation in terms of the Himalaya development. Are all the enclosures now open to the public?
Wingham now appear to have Black Mangabeys as well as Eastern Colobus. The Black Mangabey are presumably the first/only ones in the UK(?) since the 1990's era when several collections had them for a while.
This is another excuse to head down there; as well as wanting to see the Bears, I want better Black Mangabey photos too!
Didn't one of the obscure monkey sanctuaries have a black crested mangabey until fairly recently? I seem to recall seeing pictures of one housed with a spider monkey.
Indeed, the one in south Wales. I was looking through their gallery and noticed a photo of them a few weeks back.
Yes, forgot about that one- I think there were two at one stage? But no mainstream UK zoos( is Wingham 'mainstream'- I think so now) have had them for some years now.
Is the penguin pool still suffering from algal bloom turning it green,what with the recent hot weather.?
I visited here for the first time yesterday, as I have been curious about it for some time. I found it is literally only a few minutes drive from Howletts... It reminded me a little of a very miniature Colchester in some ways, particulaly the newer part. Its a park of two halves, old and the much newer. The old part is dated and rather scruffy overall, but the range of species is good. Tropical and butterfly houses were particularly run down-looking, as was the 'waterfowl' lake. I didn't like seeing the Macaws pinioned or clipped (like Colchester's). Best was the newer area with the Himalayan Bears and Black Mangabeys(1.2. the male has a stump-tail). Chimp enclosure is huge and rather stark, a big investment for them for a just a small group of chimps. They do good rescue work it seems, but its not somewhere I would revisit in a hurry I don't think. How do they survive being so close to Howletts I wonder? (I know they have a wider collection including birds, reptiles etc, maybe that is why?)
They understand their customer base - I think it is a more accessible / appealing park for families with younger children (they have a big indoor play area which will always draw the mums with tots) and their family season ticket prices are very reasonable.
Yes, that's what I deduced- the family friendliness for tinies, the smaller area to walk around, big play areas, big dinosaur display etc- 'it is what it is'...
The black crested mangabeys have a new addition - a baby! However, the baby is off-show at the moment. We were lucky enough to be passing by their enclosure as a keeper was doing some re-introduction work with the adults. The keeper said it had some troubles but didn't go into details. A new enclosure is being built, and has a sign on it titled Rainforest SOS. Lots of work going on being it too. Will post some photos in the gallery.
We had a wonderful day at Wingham yesterday - am actually quite impressed by the new Little Himalaya area and the bears were a highlight of the day. As was the tiny American Horse foal that looked to be very young - I've put some pictures in the gallery.
The Southern tamandua has left Wingham and moved over to the neighbouring Sandwich Wildlife Park. Information comes from the Sandwich Wildlife Park's Facebook page.
