Marwell Zoo — Zoo in Owslebury

Marwell Zoo and its collection

Marwell Zoo, opened in 1972, is a zoo in Owslebury, United Kingdom.

The zoo is owned by the registered charity Marwell Wildlife and keeps over 500 animals of 145 species.

History

Dr John Knowles founded it and it opened in 1972, the zebras funded by the sale of his Rolls-Royce. It was among the first European zoos to stress conservation, and became a breeding centre within a few years.

Animals and collection

The reptile and amphibian collection takes in Gila monsters, crocodile monitors and Egyptian tortoises.

Exhibits

A walkthrough lemur exhibit opened in 2017. The penguin area was refitted in 2012 and held 14 Humboldt penguins by 2021, and an older Australian walk was rebuilt in 2015 under a new name.

Things to do

Things to do include Penguin Cove, Okapi, Life Among the Trees, Threatened Species Trail and Tree Trail.

Conservation and approach

Conservation was an early priority, unusually so among European zoos, and breeding work followed within a few years; by 2012 the projects on its books ranged from Hampshire biodiversity to Grevy's zebra in Kenya, threatened species in Zimbabwe and the return of scimitar-horned oryx to the Sahara. Animals it has helped put back into the wild include wild horses, golden lion tamarins, roan antelope and oryx.

What the venue says

• Penguin Cove
• Okapi
• Life Among the Trees
• Threatened Species Trail
• Tree Trail
• we have a wide range of tasty snacks, sit down meals and refreshing drinks at various kiosks or our main restaurant, Café Graze.
• Yes, it is free to park at Marwell Zoo! Coach parking is also free.
• A limited number of manual wheelchairs are available to hire from the gift shop, Marwell Stores.
• Mobility scooters are available to hire for £20 for the duration of your visit.
• Our single and double strollers are available for guests to hire for £8 (single) and £12 (double) for the duration of your visit.
• Guests with accessibility needs are required to pay the standard rate but we will admit a carer for free.
• An induction loop is available at the admissions area and also at reception.