ZSL Whipsnade Zoo ZSL Whipsnade Zoo 2019
- Thread starter monster
- Start date
I have just noticed that on the 11th of June, the ZSL website announced that the new Aquarium at Whipsnade will open on Friday 26th July.
If they put in some overtime it might be, otherwise I will be astonished if this deadline is met!!
And ZSL Fellows have just been invited to a preview on Thursday 25th July.
I noticed today that the current copy of Practical Fishkeeping Magazine has a small note about the opening of Whipsnade's aquarium - the fish species mentioned specifically are the Caribbean mangrove killifish and dusky narrow hatchetfish. It also says that non-fish species that live around water will be kept in the aquarium as well, including Chinese crocodile lizards and tarantulas.
Maybe I’m being over-sentimental but it’s a shame ZSL couldn’t provide a similar Fellows event for London’s Aquarium-give the place a decent send-off before the closure.
In 3 days time It's Sunset Safari
littleRedPanda
Well-Known Member
Noticed today that there are no otter at the moment and the enclosure is being prepared for new arrivals. Would they likely be more from London Zoo?
robert everett
Well-Known Member
The otterss had to be put to sleep in January
littleRedPanda
Well-Known Member
Thanks robert. I couldn't see any mention of them this year and hadn't noticed the sign before.
Can’t imagine anything else other than otters being housed on that island without significant work done to it. A tamarin/marmoset species perhaps as an alternative?
However, based on current ZSL practice, I imagine it’ll be landscaped for Crazy Golf!
Hard to believe today that it was originally a chimpanzee island....
Do you know if they (youngish ones) were only put out there during the day, or was there an indoor area on it too originally?
I'm not sure about the chimps' indoor accommodation; it was long before my time.
I've seen several photographs of chimpanzees on the island (and have an old postcard depicting a chimp there) but I've never seen a picture of a structure on the island that would serve as indoor / overnight accommodation.
The zoo has announced the birthdays of Amur Tiger cubs Dmitri, Czar and Makari.
I know the chimp postcard but don't possess a copy(yet). The island does look very small to have ever had any substantial housing on it. I suspect it may have been for 'day use' only with younger amenable chimps that could be transported on to it in good weather perhaps?
Were there also Sealions using it at one point?
Close-a pair of seals, one Common one Grey. Both females I believe.
My mother visited Whipsnade with her family at some time in the 1930s and about 30 years later she found and gave me the rather battered guide book they bought that day. As she had no interest in animals, she did not remember anything about the visit. This was long before I had ever been south of Shrewsbury, so I was very interested and I remember the photo of young chimps on the round island. I suspect that you are right that it was only used in daytime - and in good weather too. I'm afraid the guidebook fell apart quite quickly, as many other items did in a family with three young boys.
I remember sealions in the moat in the '70s, my guidebook from that time names Californian sealions, but I have a vague feeling that there may have been young southern sealions at some stage too.
Yes, in those days of 'teaparty' chimps etc it would be very likely they used it as an outdoor exercise area for younger chimps on a daytime only basis.
As to the sealions, there's an old colour postcard(again I don't have it as yet) so 50-60's era, showing a sealion in what I think must be that enclosure too.
I also think there may have been sealions in there before the seals- see above.