This book, while a few years out of date now, is probably the definitive guide to introduced vertebrates in these islands: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Naturalized-Animals-Britain-Ireland/dp/1847734545
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo ZSL Whipsnade Zoo News 2023
- Thread starter JP1996
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Very fruitful visit today. We saw the two male babirusa, brothers, in their new enclosure together with the four Francois Langur, three female and one breeding male. The Francois Langur only moved in on Friday and are quite nervous of the pigs, taking their time exploring the enclosure.
The macaque and anoa area is due to be completed end of the year.
All four brown bears are now in the main area together and seem to have settled down.
The new male wolverine and new male lion have both arrived and are off show / in quarantine.
The macaque and anoa area is due to be completed end of the year.
All four brown bears are now in the main area together and seem to have settled down.
The new male wolverine and new male lion have both arrived and are off show / in quarantine.
Really looking forward to seeing the babirusa/langur enclosure! Did you take any photos? Not worries if not!
glad to hear the bears are all ok now, they were still split when I last went.
glad to hear the bears are all ok now, they were still split when I last went.
I struggled to get any decent photos through the wire fencing, these are the best two.
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Sorry for raising the issue of Whipsnade's free-ranging Chinese water deer again.
However, as the link below states, the Chinese water deer that Whipsnade is sending to London Zoo are recently born fawns that are being hand-reared.
'Vampire' deer are hand-reared at Whipsnade Zoo | Whipsnade Zoo
The trio of Chinese water deer I saw recently, sharing Spicer's field with the white rhinos, were definitely adults so are not the ones destined for London Zoo.
Incidentally, whilst on the topic of Whipsnade's Chinese water deer, the link below provides an interesting account of the history of the Whipsnade population.
Water Deer In Captivity | Wildlife Online
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It’s interesting how the Chinese water deer seem to be getting significant media coverage both across the ZSL press releases and media coverage over the last two years. Prior to this, you’d be hard pressed to find anything about them!
'Water Deer in captivity' is a very interesting article. The article mentions how they only thrive with a lot of space and indeed I was wondering how free-range adult Water Deer from Whipsnade could possibly be successfully transferred and adapt to a small enclosure in London, however I now see these are handraised babies.
They are in the former Sloth Bear enclosure. On the loop past the cafe on the right. Next to the Red Crowned Cranes.
Further to the discussion regarding the Chinese water deer, it would be interesting to know if there is a similar history regarding the population of Reeves muntjac. Or was there already an established number prior to Whipsnade’s establishment? Much like the CWD, I don’t see them as much around the zoo as I once did.
I remember seeing a pair of muntjac at London as part of the new lion area’s opening. Personally, I found it an incredibly small enclosure and the animals extremely stressed. Whether these were sourced from Whipsnade I’m not sure.
I remember seeing a pair of muntjac at London as part of the new lion area’s opening. Personally, I found it an incredibly small enclosure and the animals extremely stressed. Whether these were sourced from Whipsnade I’m not sure.
Sadly this may reflect the fact they are increasingly conservationally important - the species has not been doing well in China and the UK wild population has been estimated as representing up to 40% of the global population now - and there is evidence that 'our' deer come from a single local population that is now extinct in China so are potentially very valuable.
Chinese water deer introduced to UK may be valuable to restoring numbers in Asia | Imperial News | Imperial College London
Conservation genetics of native and European-introduced Chinese water deer (Hydropotes inermis) | Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society | Oxford Academic (oup.com)
‘Water Deer in Captivity’ lists the locations that house the species but didn’t the Aspinall parks hold them at one point?
Yes, there seems a parallel sitituation developing here.
Not that I know of.
Apologies, I was thinking of Chousingha - a species I make no apologies about I’d like to see return to the UK
I don't recall Chinese water deer at Howletts or Port Lympne either and they're not listed on ZooTierList
EDIT
Sorry I missed your second post: but I agree, I would love to see four-horned antelope again.
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I recall hearing a while ago that none of Aspinall's chousingha actually had four horns !
I saw chousinghas at both Aspinall zoos as well as the Paris Vincennes Zoo
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