Zoo suggestions (big cats and birds) in Sussex area (ended up at Marwell pics)

[bdigital]

Hi Everyone,

I am currently renting the Canon 100-400 L to help me decide if its the zoom lens I want. Im trying to decide between this and the 70-300L.

My main use is superbike photography, but I would also like to use it for wildlife, mainly big cats and birds.

I plan to visit a zoo one day this week with the lens and would welcome your suggestions for somewhere within 2 or so hours of Brighton. Marewall is my default option, but I wanted to make sure i wasnt missing anywhere great nearby!

Any suggestions?

 

[wippers]

The Wildlife Heritage Foundation in Kent is superb for photography: http://www.whf.org.uk/

I had a day there a couple of weeks back and loved every minute of it as you can get up close and personal with the cats (only a thin wire fence between you). It's not cheap though at £149 for the day (inc lunch).

One from the day:

 

[bdigital]

Looks like a top place to go, but i must admit i cant affors £150 this week!

Any other suggestions? I know marewell has a couple of leapods and a lion, but not much else in the way of big cats .

 

[Gremlin]

Marwell has snow leopards, amur leopards, tigers, ocelots, cheetahs and servals but I can't actually remember seeing any lions there

There is Howletts and Port Lympne zoo in kent
try this site

http://www.giveusahome.co.uk/daysout.htm

 

[hollis_f]

Well, their cats aren't big - but they are wild at the British Wildlife Centre - which, although it is in Surrey, ain't too far away.

 

[bdigital]

Howletts apparently have North Chinese Leopard, Snow Leopard, Siberian Tiger, and a Sumutran Tiger.

Seems good, but no idea what the enclosures are like and whether il be able to get decent shots there.

http://www.aspinallfoundation.org/howletts/animals/big-cats

 

[Gremlin]

Not been there for a while, like all zoos etc you just have to go along and hope the animals are about
Personally I like whipsnade and they have cheetah cubs, plenty if pics of them in nature, pets and trips to the zoo section
You may even find some of howletts if you do a search :shrug:

 

[bdigital]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I almost went to Howletts, but decided on Marwell because it was a much easier drive for me.

Had a good day, still processing the results but here are a couple (which i might re-post in a seperate thread once i have some more done)


Get low - Amur Tiger by bdigital101, on Flickr


Leopard by bdigital101, on Flickr