ZSL Whipsnade Zoo ZSL Whipsnade Zoo News 2022

[AlexanderTHG]

I also took a trip on Saturday and noted:
- there is a new aquatic themed gift shop in the lobby area of the aquarium
- there is a blond mangalitsa pig in a section of the wallow for the first time since the summer. They weren’t on the latest inventory
- work is being done on the fence between the two Indian rhino paddocks. It looks as if they are replacing part of it or adding in a gate
- there was a fourth przewalski horse in the paddock by the sloth bear. I assume this was a male in to breed with the females.
- the lemur walkthrough is still closed and the sign says ‘closed until further notice’
- the sign for wolverine fitti had been taken down, yet I still saw two in the main enclosure
- the netting over the penguins has sustained some damaged and has come down. It is now clipped to the sides for the time being, meaning the majority of the enclosure is no longer covered.
- only saw two lions late on in the day, one of which was hiding away in a bush. There were quite a few staff in and around the enclosure.
- the new meerkat enclosure has been terraformed and the glass viewing panels installed. I really hope they don’t just have meerkats in here.

 

[ajmcwhipsnade]

I thought I heard a rumour that they might be doing a mixed exhibit with addax

that would be really cool, really like Addax. How likely do you think that will be?

 

[Ectotherm]

the sign for wolverine fitti had been taken down, yet I still saw two in the main enclosure

It doesn't bode well does it? lets just hope it was for other reasons, than "Age related problems"
And the two are going to remain

 

[Pteropus alecto]

It doesn't bode well does it? lets just hope it was for other reasons, than "Age related problems"
And the two are going to remain

Or the signs just come down or broke in the wind like a few others after the storm

 

[Lafone]

Or the signs just come down or broke in the wind like a few others after the storm

I thought it might be storm damage / sign fatigue as both of them were in the enclosure and usually whipsnade take the signs down after they’ve moved an animal not before. That whole end of the place was quite wind battered.

Sorry should have said I also saw both of them.

 

[Ectotherm]

Or the signs just come down or broke in the wind like a few others after the storm

That's what I was suggesting or at least hoping for when I said other reasons.

 

[AlexanderTHG]

Yes, I hope damage is the reason. Which it probably is, given the damage to the penguin enclosure nearby.

 

[Jedd Cullinan]

I thought I heard a rumour that they might be doing a mixed exhibit with addax

What's this about the Addax

 

[pipaluk]

What's this about the Addax

Speculation at the moment don't worry about it!!

 

[Zoofan15]

I thought I read something more recent about Karishma also, but maybe I'm wrong, I hope so...

Re. retained foetuses. No, Karishma has not been affected by this to my knowledge. It’s been almost six years since her last calf, so hopefully she will conceive soon to Ming Jung if she hasn’t already.

Perhaps you were thinking of Donna? She retained the placenta for almost two weeks following her (live born) calf that died in 2019.

 

[Embu]

Re. retained foetuses. No, Karishma has not been affected by this to my knowledge. It’s been almost six years since her last calf, so hopefully she will conceive soon to Ming Jung if she hasn’t already.

Perhaps you were thinking of Donna? She retained the placenta for almost two weeks following her (live born) calf that died in 2019.

The female in question about the retained foetus I belive is Lucha.

 

[Zoofan15]

The female in question about the retained foetus I belive is Lucha.

You’re correct. I referred to that in Post #189, but then @Pertinax questioned if Karishma was similarly affected in a subsequent post.

 

[The Hedgehog]

You’re correct. I referred to that in Post #189, but then @Pertinax questioned if Karishma was similarly affected in a subsequent post.

@bintarong @Elephantelephant @El,@Rosie183 and @Elephant Enthusiast could any of you confirm if Karishma has a retained Foetus.

 

[Jambo]

@bintarong,@Elephantelephant,@Rosie183 and @Elephant Enthusiast could any of you confirm if Karishma has a retained Foetus.

She doesn't. Multiple people have said so.

 

[IndianRhino]

Re. retained foetuses. No, Karishma has not been affected by this to my knowledge. It’s been almost six years since her last calf, so hopefully she will conceive soon to Ming Jung if she hasn’t already.

Perhaps you were thinking of Donna? She retained the placenta for almost two weeks following her (live born) calf that died in 2019.

@bintarong @Elephantelephant @El,@Rosie183 and @Elephant Enthusiast could any of you confirm if Karishma has a retained Foetus.

She doesn't. Multiple people have said so.

Actually Pertinax is correct, Karishma does indeed have a retained fetus, unfortunately. Here’s a post from @Hyak_II in the “Asian Elephants in Europe” thread.

I just learnt some interesting news. A few years back, I mentioned on here that I strongly suspected Karishma at Whipsnade was pregnant via natural breeding with Emmett prior to his transfer to Blackpool. Turns out I was correct! Sadly however, it did not result in a viable calf. Her labour stalled, and she unfortunately ended up retaining the fetus.

Obviously Karishma is fine, but one can’t help but wonder how this bodes for her future reproductive potential. There is a chance she might reabsorb the calf or pass it (either on her own fruition, via chemical induction, or through conceiving and birthing another calf, much like what happened with Nina at Le Pal), but sadly there’s also a fairly large chance that her reproductive career is tragically now over. I would be very curious to find out what the end game is in that regard!

At minimum the zoo still has Geetha and Elizabeth to continue breeding from, but would be very nice to be able to retain Karishma as a breeder as well, considering her younger age.

 

[Zoofan15]

Actually Pertinax is correct, Karishma does indeed have a retained fetus, unfortunately. Here’s a post from @Hyak_II in the “Asian Elephants in Europe” thread.

Thanks for sharing @IndianRhino. I guess time will tell if this is something that can be overcome. Otherwise, the future of the herd will be resting on Donna and Elizabeth (since they’ve tried unsuccessfully to breed from Kaylee for several years; who now hasn’t had a calf in 13 years).

Fingers crossed they remain free of EEHV going forward and can grow the herd through these two young cows at least. Since they each have their mothers still in the herd, this will allow the zoo to form a multigenerational herd which would be nice to see accomplished at Whipsnade.

 

[Pertinax]

Actually Pertinax is correct, Karishma does indeed have a retained fetus, unfortunately. Here’s a post from @Hyak_II in the “Asian Elephants in Europe” thread.

Thought so... that is where I saw it then..

 

[Lafone]

Up at whipsnade in the wind and rain today and we have some new arrivals. Didn’t see anyone mention them so sorry if I missed it.

There are now 5 ostriches in the paddock near the lions. All males. All seem to be very happy together.

 

[Lafone]

Just to also add that I spoke to a keeper and was told 3 of the ostriches are staying, one is on loan and so the longer term total is 4 males with some discussions in progress now on adding some females.

Was very nice indeed to see the paddock populated with a little herd.

 

[Rosie183]

Is this 5 males plus the current whipsnade male Blue? So 6 in total? If they add in females their be such arguements around the males it wouldn’t end well! As males are usually solitary ostrich and only mix for breeding!