I have a photo taken of a young bongo on 30/6/12, I cannot recall seeing another one since
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo ZSL Whipsnade Zoo 2020
- Thread starter Panthera1981
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A bongo was born at Whipsnade on 23rd February 2012; I assume this is the one you photographed. Like you, I can't remember seeing a more recent bongo calf at Whipsnade.
I believe a group of about nine(?) were originally moved to Whipsnade from London. They have slowly diminished ever since it seems.
I think it was actually seven bongo that were transferred from London Zoo to Whipsnade in 2006.
Had a short and wet visit today. Female white rhinos indoors away from the male,not sure if that means the recent introduction of the new girls to the male didn't go well or not.
Following on from my last visit a few weeks ago when a baby yak had just been born it appears in fact 2 were born.
Spider monkey enclosure still empty and no sign of work being carried out.
Did manage to see the newly arrived otters and warty pigs.
Was actually quite busy considering the weather was awful.
Following on from my last visit a few weeks ago when a baby yak had just been born it appears in fact 2 were born.
Spider monkey enclosure still empty and no sign of work being carried out.
Did manage to see the newly arrived otters and warty pigs.
Was actually quite busy considering the weather was awful.
The last one from the Regent Park arrival passed away in 2017. One can assume they now only should have 3 females - all born early to mid 2000's - left.
Do you happen to know where they were housed at London? They'd already moved on before I had the chance to visit
Do you happen to know where they were housed at London? They'd already moved on before I had the chance to visit
They were in the Cotton Terraces - in the current okapi/duiker enclosure.
Bongos were exhibited on the Cotton Terraces, I believe. But Tim May might be able to give you a more definite reply on that one!Do you happen to know where they were housed at London? They'd already moved on before I had the chance to visit
Indeed, the most recent ZSL Animal Inventory lists three female bongo at Whipsnade as at 1st January 2019 although that is, of course, nearly two years ago. Hopefully the 2020 Animal Inventory will be published soon.
Last time I saw the bongos there were indeed 3 females this was pre covid, Unfortunately I can't remember the last time I saw them outside and since covid you can't view them inside,so can only presume they still hold 3 females.
It’s a pity the Bongo paddock doesn’t encompass more of the tree cover adjacent to it, they’d possibly be more “showy” despite their reclusive nature. However, there may be restrictions due to significant Bluebell growth in this area.
Whenever I’ve seen them, they’re either in the stables or sticking close to the tree line that leads down to the giraffe. Maybe the zoo could invest in some significant “mature” tree planting in the open area that faces out towards the rhino.
Whenever I’ve seen them, they’re either in the stables or sticking close to the tree line that leads down to the giraffe. Maybe the zoo could invest in some significant “mature” tree planting in the open area that faces out towards the rhino.
Perhaps a group of Bongo could be kept in the ex elephant exhibit?
You probably meant this:
Are bluebells poisonous? And more bluebell facts - Woodland Trust
I wonder if there have ever been any cases of ruminants falling victim to bluebell poisoning?
BTW: It is a protected species.
As for a decent enclosure, I wonder why up to this point this has never been addressed. It is almost like your ambassador species - bongo, gaur, GOH rhino - must remain out of the public eye. It is fine having a wildlands feel to your zoo, quite another to have species in your collection that are impossible to see at most, if not all times. A missed opportunity (and perhaps a signal that Whipsnade's concept should change ...).
Yes, they mainly use those two areas, the covered treeline bordering the giraffe area, or their stable. I've seen them 'trekking' from one to the other more than once. Other times they are resting quietly indoors where, even before Covid, people would rarely know they were there, and now can't be seen anyway. Being a forest antelope,this seems a pretty retiring species generally though. At Howletts I've noticed they often seem invisible too, and are in fact resting behind the shelter wherethey are out of public view.
I wouldn't say the Indian rhino or Gaur are difficult to see at Whipsnade, at least not more than a lot of other species there. The main problem is many of the indoor houses/sheds at Whipsnade have no public viewing- even outside of Covid restrictions. This applies to both the Gaur and the older Indian Rhino holding area, though it is usually possible to see both species outside most times. I can safely say I have never 'not' seen Indian rhino on any visit- now the Gaur have increased to five they are also more visible than previously. Bongo is different though.
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If you are driving round the park you have to follow the one way system, straight on from the entrance and then anticlockwise around the circuit - but parking at the appropriate places to see the animals. I would turn off into the car park on the left to see the chimps and then cross the road to the bears and then the penguins on the escarpment. Then you have to go around the one-way pedestrian route to the corner of the white rhinos and bongos then back to the car park along the main road. Then carry on in the car to the hippos and cheetah area, then the Asian drive-through to the elephants, Indian rhinos and tigers, finally park by the Aquarium and butterflies. You have to do the central part of the zoo on foot for the sea lions, red pandas, gaur, giraffes and lions etc.
If you are on foot you can follow the same basic route (except for the drive-through of course) or you can go the other way around - which might be preferable if the weather is wet, as you can get more shelter that way. Hope this helps.
Thank you, appreciate the response in such sort time as well!