About our conservation work
Marwell Wildlife undertakes a broad portfolio of conservation activities which includes managing individuals and populations of threatened species, and the restoration of endangered wildlife and ecosystems. We develop partnerships and collaborations with like-minded organisations to implement our conservation and scientific work both in the UK and internationally. Recognising the central role of people in successful conservation, we work with local communities to find sustainable ways of living alongside wildlife.
Macaques social behaviour development
Scientists who are studying macaques in the park have discovered friendship has a pivotal role in their social behaviour.
Their results showed that friendship, more than family ties or the status of another, improves the gaze-following ability of the monkeys.
Pioneering macaque study centre now open at Marwell
Marwell Wildlife and the University of Portsmouth have joined forces to open the world’s first cognitive study centre for rare Sulawesi crested macaques. The animals will be invited to operate computer touch screens allowing scientists to investigate fundamental aspects of their cognition such as memory, communication and emotion.
New toad population discovery
With amphibians under threat all over the world, we were delighted to discover a new population of the African green toad (Bufo boulengeri) in the foothills of a mountain range within Dghoumes National Park, Tunisia.
Tracking the aridland carnivores
Think of lions and cheetah, and most people will think of grasslands. In fact, both species are far more adaptable, living in a spectrum of habitats from wooded savannah and scrub, to grasslands and deserts.
Working in the Woodland
Marwell Wildlife is fortunate to own a well-connected network of woodland which surrounds the park, consisting of predominantly Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland (ASNW) with a rich flora and fauna. The woodland, totalling around 29 hectares has considerable value for conservation and the long-term restoration of this area commenced in 2010.
Horse logging with conservation in mind
In July, a horse logging team from Sussex helped us to remove stacks of larch poles as part of our woodland restoration. This work is being funded in part by Marwell’s FLIGHT campaign, with the aim of enhancing habitat for native wildlife, from woodland flora, to insects and birds.