The former RSCC site in Sandwich, Kent has finally been sold - to the owners of the Wingham Wildlife Park: Statement issued by WWP on Facebook today As you may have already heard, we have some very exciting news! We have decided to run a sister site for Wingham Wildlife Park, by acquiring the former Rare Species Conservation Centre in Sandwich, which will be re-branded as Sandwich Wildlife Park. We are very excited to develop the site at Sandwich and have some big plans for it. Please note that there is a lot of work to be done there so it will not be open for some time. Even once it does open it will focus on a smaller scale, more personal atmosphere. We would like to stress however that our work at Wingham is by no means done! The improvements, changes and additions which you have seen and come to love about us will continue for many years to come! Right now for example, we are putting a canopy over the penguins and rebuilding the reception area toilet block, with the new mandrill enclosure almost ready too! Follow the Sandwich Wildlife Park Facebook page to keep updated about what we are doing down there!
From the official website, it seems that both clouded leopard and maned wolf are still present at the collection as well as ring-tailed lemurs. Sandwich Wildlife Park
This is really great news (I think). I have never been to Wingham, but I have been to RSCC. What are the feelings of those UK members who are familiar with Wingham? Will this be a positive move?
The thing that made RSCC so good, was the collection of rarely seen species, not the site itself. Unless it has a similar collection to before, it will not hold anywhere near the attraction that it did previously. I find this a bit of a strange move by Wingham, to open a second site less than 10 minutes away. It could of course be a move to prevent anyone else opening a rival zoo so close to them. With Howletts 10 minutes away too, that could be disastrous for them. I'll reserve judgement until I see what happens with the new zoo. Nothing wrong with Wingham though!
I've only ever visited Wingham once. The enclosures were small and dull and gave the animals no place to hide away. The site felt like a playground it even has a go-cart track; I left feeling depressed. No idea how the new site will compare of course.
I agree with Ned. Even though WWP has an interesting collection, the enclosures I found left a lot to be desired. I've got nothing against wood-and-wire enclosures (Shaldon do these very well) but the ones at WWP feel very spare, almost empty, with very few hiding places for the animals. It is the only zoo I've visited where I left feeling miserable and depressed.
Well, I'd assume the fanaloka belong to Todd Dalton. So wether or not they were sold on along with the park is still anyone's guess.
Similarly, it has been mentioned elsewhere on ZooChat that the RSCC had a Grandidier's mongoose (giant striped mongoose) Galidictis grandidieri. Does anybody know if this is still on site?
The zoo itself was not sold with the Madagascan carnivores. They will remain with the previous owner. Grateful at least that the site will not be wasted.
Does Wingham have a specialty (such as primates or birds)? Anything that might indicate which way this site will go?
They mostly specialise in carnivores, primates (to a degree) and they have, as @zoogiraffe and others have said on this forum before, one of the best reptile sections in the UK.
I was lucky enough to see the Giant Otters in this enclosure. I believe they went to Yorkshire last year so fingers crossed the owners can find suitable replacements.
ahh one is very possible but the previous owner has the largest clouded collection in the uk and I would be highly surprised if his entire collection was staying , I would be extremely happy if they did
Would this be the problem cloudie that RSCC had for some time? If so then it must be knocking on a bit now...
