Utilan Iguana and Black Mamba

October saw the arrival of two new species for the reptile house. The Utilan Iguana is a critically endangered lizard occurring only on Utila Island off the coast of Honduras. It is the subject of an important conservation project and we hope our group can contribute towards research in captivity.

The highly venomous Black Mamba, often described as the world’s most dangerous snake, can also be seen in our recently refurbished reptile house. This highly active species is a challenge for our reptile department who always ensure that strict safety procedures are followed carefully! The Black Mamba is named not for its skin colour but for the inky black lining of its mouth.

Squirrel Monkey

We are delighted to announce the birth of a female Squirrel Monkey “Lulu”. Lulu was found very weak on the enclosure floor and has been hand reared by keepers at the park until she is ready (after a long introduction process) to be returned to the group.

After causing many sleepless nights for keepers it is hoped that Lulu will soon be integrated back into the group and living life as a monkey again!.

Waders and Hornbill

We are pleased to announce the arrival of a group of pied avocet, black winged stilts and redshank to the Cotswold wildlife park. These small waders are often overlooked as part of our native wildlife, it is hoped that they will settle well and we have our fingers crossed for breeding success next year!

Also new to the park are the Von Der Deckens hornbill, these curious looking birds are part of a European breeding programme and can be seen in their aviary in the walled garden area of the park.

Jaguarundi Kittens

Staff on the East Section are delighted to announce the birth of 3 Jaguarundi kittens.

These elusive South American cats are rarely seen in captivity and have only been kept at the park since March 2007. Danish student Christina Stender, who has been carrying out a research project on the Jaguarundi, discovered the kittens in their nest box and so far, all appears to be going well. The female is a first time mother and much can happen before the kittens are weaned so all the keepers have their fingers crossed! Check back soon for more news on the kittens' progress. GO TO THE EAST SECTION >

White Faced Saki (Pithecia pithecia)

We are delighted to announce the arrival of a pair of White Faced Saki monkeys to the Cotswold Wildlife Park. These two animals have recently completed their 6 month quarantine period and are now to be seen in the Walled Garden. These curious primates are found in the rain forests of South America where they feed on fruits, nuts, insects and small vertebrates – they have even been known to take bats. Due to their prodigious jumping skills, they are sometimes referred to as “flying jacks”. GO TO THE EAST SECTION >

Lar Gibbon

On the 10th of June a four year old male Lar Gibbin, Topoff, arrived from Thrigby Hall to join our young female Jara, they have bonded extremely well and we are confident that they will form a successful breeding pair, we look forward to welcoming new additions to their family in the near future. GO TO THE SOUTH SECTION >

Siamang

Baby Tiku was born to proud parents Spindle and Xhulu on the 4th of June, he is their fifth offspring to be born at the park and is visible clinging to his mum Spindle as she swings through their enclosure. GO TO THE SOUTH SECTION >

Lemurs

Our third baby Ring-tailed Lemur arrived this month to join the fast expanding group in our Madagascar exhibit.  Another exciting arrival in Madagascar is our first ever Collared Lemur to be born at the Park, they are one the most threatened sub-species of the Brown Lemur and are rarely seen on the ground, prefering to spend most of their time in trees GO TO THE EAST SECTION >

Bactrian Camels

Two more Bactrian Camels have been born into our growing herd.

The first to be born this month was Mei-li who arrived in the 16th of May and she was followed soon after by Olivia; born on the 21st of May, they are both doing well and can be seen with their parents out in the Camel paddock. GO TO THE SOUTH SECTION

Striped Skunks

A pair of Striped Skunks have arrived at the Park, they can be seen settling into their new home in the barn in the Children’s Farmyard.

The Striped Skunk has perhaps the most widely known defence system of any mammal, the scent-spraying mechanism.  They do not usually discharge the foul smelling contents of their scent glands unless mortally threatened.  Because of this ability Skunks are rarely preyed upon by other mammals, but are occasionally taken by large birds, such as Great Horned Owls and Red-tailed Hawks.GO TO THE WEST SECTION >

Purple-faced Langurs

Also known as the Bear Monkey or Montane Purple-faced Langur, this species lives in the mountains in altitudes from 1,200 to 2,000 meters. Due to rapid destruction of their natural habital of Sri Lanka, a polulation decline of 80% in 3 generations is expected for the Purple-faced Langurs.

They are now classified as one of the 25 most Endangered Primate Species in the world. GO TO THE SOUTH SECTION >

Ring-Tailed Lemurs

Our Lemur family has just got bigger with the birth of twin Ring-Tailed Lemur. Born at the Park on 12th March 2008, they can be seen in our new interactive, walk-through exhibit - Madagascar (along with several other Lemur species, including the Critically Endangered Lac Alaotran Gentle Lemurs and Verreaux's Crowned Sifaka or Ghost Lemur.) 

At first, the baby Ring-Tailed Lemurs are carried beneath their mothers belly and as they grown, they switch to travelling on their mothers back. In the wild, she will even fight with her young on her back.GO TO THE EAST SECTION >

Bactrian Camel

A baby Bactrian Camel was born on March 21st at the Park. They are part of the Camelid family found in the South Eastern part of China and in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia.

Look closely and you can see that these Camels have their own form of sunglasses in the form of bushy eyebrows, and a double row of extra long eyelashes. This protects their eyes from both the sun and any sand in the air. Also, their humps are filled with fat, not water (as commonly believed). As the fat reserves are burned, the humps lose their rigidity and can actually fall over to the side. GO TO THE SOUTH SECTION >

Asiatic Lion

Our new male has arrived READ MORE>

New (Zealand) Kids on the Block

We've just had two baby Arapawa Goats born at the Park. The Arapawa's are a unique little rare breed of goat, originating from New Zealand. You can see them on show in the Children's Farmyard. GO TO THE WEST SECTION >

Scheepmaker's Crowned Pigeon

Our Sheepmakers Crown Pigeons have hatched their 4th chick since arriving at the Park in 2004. They only lay one egg at a time. Both the male and the female produce Crop milk which they feed their young (a rich secretion formed by the glands in the mucosa of the Pigeon's Crop - the throat area.) This milk is so rich, the young pigeons grow very quickly. This is why you rarely see baby pigeons.

The Sheepmakers Crowned Pigeons are the largest of the Pigeon family (309 species in all).There are 3 different species of Crowned Pigeons, all coming from New Guinea GO TO THE EAST SECTION >

One of the world's rarest mammals, the Greater Bamboo Lemur, has just arrived at the Park.  Once widespread throughout the island of Madagascar, the Greater Bamboo Lemur can now only be found in a few scattered pockets on the southeast coast. One of the rarest primates in the world, the IUCN has classified them as Critically Endangered.

Their voracious appetite for bamboo makes the Greater Bamboo Lemur Madagascar's answer to the Giant Panda. They usually give birth to a single offspring once a year.

The Greater Bamboo Lemur is currently being housed in our quarantine section in the Walled Garden, where it can be viewed by visitors. We are hoping our new male and the Park's female will breed very soon.

Peccary Twins

Our White-Lipped Peccary family has just grown even larger with the birth of twins. Two baby Peccary's were born in January which now makes the Peccary enclosure the largest (and most vocal!) group of mammals at the Park. 

GO TO THE WEST SECTION >