ZSL Whipsnade Zoo ZSL Whipsnade Zoo 2021
- Thread starter Jedd Cullinan
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- europe uk zsl zsl whipsnade zoo
littleRedPanda
Well-Known Member
I was wondering that initially, as it could have been worse if the bears had got out at night. I'm sure someone could confirm if the bears are locked in at night though.
That is something I assume the zoo will never divulge. In a morbid sense, it’s probably a blessing the weather was as bad as it was-very few visitors in the zoo I’d imagine or they’ll have been confined to their cars (if the incident occurred during opening hours). Whipsnade regulars will attest the site is prone to four seasons in one day!
The enclosure was updated a few years ago to provide a more substantial ‘holding area’ at the back of the exhibit. I’m not sure if parts of it are listed however-Lady Yules Walk (the raised walkway between the bears and wolverine) could be.
Maybe it’s an age thing, but I’ve certainly noticed these bears being more active than the previous occupants. There’s a massive den dug out at the front of the enclosure for example!
Perhaps, though tragic, this may mean that the zoo now reassesses its use of the exhibit, and bring in a breeding male for the remaining female (which I think was the original intention after the previous occupants passed away). I don’t think I’ve seen bear cubs at Whipsnade for nearly 30+ years!
littleRedPanda
Well-Known Member
Something else I wondered about, having not seen brown bear cubs (apart from Lisbon) in the 9 years I've been visiting zoos; thought there might not be a conservational use for them breeding.
Reptile House
Well-Known Member
ZSL is a science based organisation, but never a animal loving organisation. A dreadful decision to shoot these 2 bears, that didn’t actually do anything wrong, they were contained in another less secure enclosure. Presumably the time taken to get the guns, which wouldn’t be quick - if the public were present, they could have been locked safely in the nearby gift shop.
Reminds me in America when a innocent Gorilla got shot, when a child entered the enclosure.
Another big cross for ZSL after the tiger incident at London Zoo.
Reminds me in America when a innocent Gorilla got shot, when a child entered the enclosure.
Another big cross for ZSL after the tiger incident at London Zoo.
I'm sorry to sound like this but I think you are being totally unreasonable. There are keepers at Whipsnade who are distraught at what's happened. To claim that they don't care is horrific and I actually find incredibly upsetting. If they had any other real option of course they would have taken it.
Please don't start accusing people or organisations of not living there animals. That's just cruel
The concept of animals doing anything wrong / being 'innocent' does not come into play in this situation. At the end of the day, it is far worse for the zoo (in terms of PR/insurance/legal cases and more) if a visitor is injured (or worse) by an escaped animal.
ZSL will have followed their procedure to the letter, made an informed decision, and carried out what was necessary. They have been transparent about the event and I'm sure will take steps to ensure it doesn't happen again.
Frankly, your post is an insult to ZSL and its staff.
I think it’s policy not to breed them, due to difficulties in placing cubs of this long lived species
Well said, totally agree.
This is the third publicised incident at Whipsnade in recent years, not a criticism, just an observation. The other two were the escape of a pair of elderly chimips with the male being shot, and then a keeper being attacked by an Indian Rhino. But the cause of both of those incidents were never fully explained by the zoo.
The increased activity was almost certainly due to the bears' younger age. This was a very unfortunate incident, one the zoo can't be blamed for in any way- Insurance companies would probably deem it an Act of God. I think they probably took the only decision open to them, it depends if there were public in the grounds really.
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16 guests were at zoo's £300 'overnight experience' when escaped bears were shot
so early morning, no general public and guests other side of park... surely something could have been done differently as in attract bears back to enclosure with food or something... or is it policy to shoot escaped animals?
so early morning, no general public and guests other side of park... surely something could have been done differently as in attract bears back to enclosure with food or something... or is it policy to shoot escaped animals?
They would have assessed the situation as diligently as possible. The press release explains that they had such a difficult decision to make. You also have to take into account safety of the keepers and the unpredictable nature of wild animals. It's unbelievably tragic and the whole of ZSL are mourning. The only thing to do is support the zoo, keepers and everyone involved. Of course no one wants to see animals shot, especially those who care for the animals, it's just so sad and I really hope the keepers involved get the support they need.
You are entitled to your opinion but to say that ZSL is not an animal loving organisation is an insult to everyone who works at London or Whipsnade Zoo. Do you really think that the staff wanted to euthanise the two bears? It was a heartbreaking decision that was made after considering the options
Strix
Well-Known Member
The bears had already killed one boar, I assume there were more in the enclosure. Had they not killed the bears, the keepers themselves would have been in danger, as well as other nearby animals such as the lynx and wolverines.
When an Andean Bear escaped at Port Lympne last year, they were able to lure it back into the enclosure using food. But I don’t think there would’ve been any public staying at Port Lympne’s many accommodation, due to the fact that the escaped happened in lockdown.
the difference with Whipsnade is that 1) there were members of public on site and therefore their safety is top priority. 2) the bears had already made their way into another enclosure and were causing harm to other animals. How would the keepers be able to lure the bears out of the boar enclosure, without endangering themselves or letting the boars escape, whilst luring the bears out? As they wouldn’t have been able to get close enough to secure the boars inside.
whilst it is a sad decision, like many others I agree it was the right one to make in this extremely difficult situation and my thoughts are with the keepers at this sad time.
Also worth noting, an Andean Bear is half the size of a Brown Bear.
And there were 2 brown bears. I really think that Whipsnade Zoo did the right thing and the welfare of the neighbouring animals and the keepers should've been top priority. It's a really terrible thing to happen to any zoo. My thoughts are with the keepers and the visitors who loved these bears. Always a highlight of my visits to Whipsnade.
They would have also had to think about where the bears would be if they had been able to tranq them, had they been knocked out in the boar enclosure they could have easily been injured or even killed by the board as they can easily do some damage even to a bear.
Went over to Yorkshire Wildlife Park's Facebook page yesterday and the sealions are doing well in their new home