Animal News April 2026
May 8, 2026
Spring has officially sprung and April has brought some special milestones and a couple of rather big arrivals. Here’s a look at what’s been happening around the park…
Meet Amali
We’re delighted to share that our rhino calf has officially been named Amali, meaning ‘hope’ in Swahili. Amali has recently taken her first steps outside, exploring her habitat alongside mum, Zahra. As she grows, Amali will play an important role in white rhino conservation as part of the European breeding programme.
Easter arrivals
While you may have been enjoying chocolate eggs, we’ve had some very special arrivals of our own…
We’ve welcomed:
- Roul roul partridge chicks
- Silver-eared mesia chicks – now part of a growing family of nine
In roul roul partridges, both parents play an important role – while the female incubates the eggs, the male guards their well-hidden nest.
Our mesia chicks are already showing their personalities, with mum and dad sharing parenting duties – and even older siblings helping to feed them! As they grow, males will develop orange chests, while females will remain yellow.
Watch the video, and keep an eye out for these tiny new additions in the Tropical House during your next visit.
Addax arrivals
Two female addax sisters, Sahara and Cleopatra, recently arrived at Marwell from Flamingo Land. They are settling in well alongside resident female Amelie and are growing in confidence each day. The pair have joined us as part of an important conservation breeding programme.
Domestic Bactrian camels arrive
Our habitats and park services teams have been hard at work preparing the space to welcome Gary and Lemmy, two male camels who are now settling into their new surroundings. In time, they will be introduced to our African wild ass and share a habitat with them.
Jemma the sloth settles in
Jemma the sloth, who joined us from Jersey Zoo, is now confidently exploring her home in the Tropical House canopy. She and Santos have been introduced and are still getting to know each other, with plenty of space to relax independently or spend time together when they choose.
Next time you visit, don’t forget to look up – sloths are experts at blending in amongst the leaves!
A greener world
On 13 April, we marked International Plant Appreciation Day, celebrating the vital role plants play across the zoo.
Our habitats are more than just places to live; they’re carefully designed ecosystems. From palm fruits for Nicobar pigeons to fig trees for saki monkeys, many plants provide natural food sources just as they would in the wild.
Next time you visit, take a closer look… what can you spot animals eating?
Something to squawk about
Our walkthrough aviaries officially reopened after being closed for a little while and in that time our Birds team made some exciting improvements.
The upgraded indoor space has been designed to encourage even more natural behaviours and support bird wellbeing, while also offering additional protection during periods of higher avian influenza risk.
New features include:
- A larger pool with gently flowing water, mimicking a natural stream
- A natural ground layer built over logs to support plant growth
- Halogen and UV lighting to allow birds to bask
Plus, improvements were made to wading pool to encourage natural foraging.
Looking ahead, we’re hoping to introduce LED lighting and more native Asian plant species to further enhance the space.
World Veterinary Day celebrations
At Marwell, caring for animals isn’t just about stepping in when something’s wrong – it’s about making sure things stay right.
Just like your pets at home, regular check-ups are key to a healthy, happy life. Our vets work closely with the keepers who know each animal best, building a clear picture of each individual’s wellbeing over time. It means even the smallest changes can be spotted early, helping to keep every animal feeling their best.
From tortoise checks (with our roul-roul partridges on supervising duties👀) to larger species health assessments and annual vaccinations, every interaction is centred around helping our animals thrive.
Through this day-to-day work, our veterinary team also shares their expertise beyond the zoo, supporting our conservation projects by advising and training our team’s working across the globe.
Hanging parrots, collared trogons and grosbeak starlings
The new birds are all doing well in their private habitat while they complete their standard quarantine period. In the meantime, the birds team have been busy preparing for their arrival into the Tropical House, including installing hollowed logs to be used as natural nest sites.
Samba update
Since Samba’s escape back in March, we’ve received several possible sightings from members of the public. While each report has been carefully investigated, we have not yet been able to confirm her location.
Our teams continue to carry out regular searches, focusing on areas where Samba is most likely to be, particularly along waterways and in dense vegetation. We are still deploying thermal drone technology and camera traps to support this work.
Saying goodbye
This month, we’re sad to say goodbye to Cherry the red panda and our two elderly otters.
Cherry was a much-loved member of the Marwell family, and she will be greatly missed by both keepers and visitors alike.
We are now beginning plans to redevelop the otter habitat, as we look ahead to welcoming a new group in the future.
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