ZSL Whipsnade Zoo ZSL Whipsnade Zoo News 2023

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June + July 2023 News Not Mentioned:

On June 29th, the zoo announced that they transferred a (0.1) white-faced saki monkey named Bela to Folly Farm Adventure Park & Zoo in Wales.

We’re so excited to welcome a new pair of saki monkeys to the zoo family at the Jungle Journeys habitat. Female ‘Bela’ (on the left) came to us in... | By Folly Farm Adventure Park & Zoo | Facebook

On July 5th, the zoo announced that a (0.0.1) American flamingo hatched on June 19th and has now been adopted.

Chick adopted by flamboyant flamingos at Whipsnade Zoo | Whipsnade Zoo
A flamingo chick has been adopted by new parents after being abandoned as an egg: https://ow.ly/UiwF50P3KQ2 Our zookeepers rescued the egg and monitored it for 32 days in our specialist bird nursery, before carefully transferring it to a flamingo nest where feathered couple - Florence and Freddie - took the egg under their wing. The new flamingo family have been bonding, with both adoptive parents caring equally for the fluffy grey two-week-old. While American flamingos are currently found in healthy numbers in the wild, their main threat is the same as other species living in important wetland environments - habitat destruction, rising sea levels caused by climate change and water pollution. ZSL, the international conservation charity behind Whipsnade Zoo, is working to restore wetland environments across Asia, Africa, in Amazonian flooded forests and even central London - where the team is helping to restore the Thames estuary to help ensure the long-term survival of the many bird and marine species that call these incredible ecosystems home. | Whipsnade Zoo | Whipsnade Zoo · 原声
 
I went to Whispande on Saturday, it was a lovely day (except the rain showers. Straight away I went to the bird show. It was great fun and the birds came next to me when they were flying. I never knew how big macaws were haha. The highlight for me was the Visayan Hornbill and this time I got some photos of him. It was incredible news to hear that he has 3 siblings born in the bird garden. I was told that the Hornbill may be leaving next year for the breeding program. After the show has ended the macaws wouldn’t come back with the keepers having to follow them around the zoo. The scarlets were flying extremely high up in the sky, the blue-throated flew into the trees and the Hyacinth Macaws flew into the Learning Hub.

After that I went to the Langurs, I missed these last time so it was amazing to see them, it was interesting watching the Male Langur interact with the babirusa below. The baby was looking very healthy clinging onto mom.

The monkey forest construction is going up fast, I’m excited to see it done. Does anyone know if it houses just the Crested Macaques or will it house other species like the Langurs?

After that I went to the Cheetahs and Hippos, the cheetahs were a no show and the Hippo was sitting outside in an area where you can’t see them properly.

The baby Zebra was adorable I spent a lot of time with it taking photos, a highlight of the visit was when the Waterbuck kept trying to play and interact with it but the zebras mom said no and pushed them back.

The Gaur were out next close to me when I stopped for lunch, they are such incredible animals. The White Rhinos were out sleeping and the giraffes were eating in the Grassy Paddock.

After this I went to the Otters and Red Pandas. The red panda was high up in the trees. I did see one come down into a nest box which I believe had their offspring in?

I went into the Aquarium and Butterfly house. Very crowded in there so I didn’t get many pictures.

After this I went to the Elephants, Tigers, Indian Rhino and Visayan Warty Pig. The Rhino bridge was closed so we had to walk around to see them. The elephants were really active and playing around, especially the two younger ones. The tiger was playing in the water with a sack, I got a few nice photos of him swimming too. The warty pigs didn’t come out for a while. And then when I was next to the rhino I saw them running along the back fence.

After this the torrential rain started so I ran to the Langurs where they were outside munching, I ran into the indoor house to expect they’d be in there but nope. They were eating in the cold and wet rain haha. I decided to join them outside and watch them eating and interact with each over. Mom was hiding the baby so I couldn’t get an good photo of it outside.

Didn’t get a chance to go to the European section because the rain was terrible but before I went I had to see the chimps and lemurs where they were playing outside. But overall I had a fantastic visit to Whipsnade and I will be definitely getting a membership this year.
 
Pandaboi said:
Does anyone know if it houses just the Crested Macaques or will it house other species like the Langurs?
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Glad to hear that you enjoyed your visit to my favourite zoo.

I could be mistaken, but I believe the plan is to mix the Lowland Anoa (currently held in a temporary enclosure near the entrance to Passage through Asia, which is just about visible by foot) with the macaques.
 
Went to Whipsnade on the last 9pm closing day of the summer today, weather was nice for a change! It was pretty busy but not over crowded.

One poor moment was seeing people (adults and encouraging their kids) wind the female lions up to attack the glass - sometimes I wonder at visitor behaviour and it’s not the first time. Later on the lions were out enjoying the enclosure. Those visitors are the exception of course but it isn’t fun to see. I’ve noticed it happens more on busy days and wonder if a volunteer should just be sent there when it will be busy to try and keep people from doing daft things.

Was a little concerned to see the new zebra foal was a bit lame on the off fore so mentioned it to a keeper in passing - with the ground hardening out probably a consequence of a bit of play and it wasn’t too bad. Mother and foal still wandered around all day.

The paddock on the corner opposite the yaks / turning for the tiger area is empty and the signs are gone (formerly rhea though there are rhea in the farm area so don’t think they have left).

Saw the new young langur which was lovely and saw the group using the outside enclosure for the first time (for me) which was nice. The young red crowned crane has shot up and has some emerging adult colours. Great to see. Enjoyed seeing the new young flamingoes too.

Most animals were out and about except the cheetahs who I didn’t see all day. Was nice to see the gaur using their paddock and grazing down at the otter end. And it was a treat to see the sun set on the downs and see the rhinos in the twilight.

Despite it being August and the school holidays I found it impossible to resist being able to spend 11 hours at the zoo!
 
I know Gaur are a phase out species. Do Whipsnade plan on sending their animals away, or are they just waiting for them to die out?
 
Lafone said:
One poor moment was seeing people (adults and encouraging their kids) wind the female lions up to attack the glass - sometimes I wonder at visitor behaviour and it’s not the first time. Later on the lions were out enjoying the enclosure. Those visitors are the exception of course but it isn’t fun to see. I’ve noticed it happens more on busy days and wonder if a volunteer should just be sent there when it will be busy to try and keep people from doing daft things
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Stupid is as Stupid does
 
Lafone said:
Went to Whipsnade on the last 9pm closing day of the summer today, weather was nice for a change! It was pretty busy but not over crowded.

One poor moment was seeing people (adults and encouraging their kids) wind the female lions up to attack the glass - sometimes I wonder at visitor behaviour and it’s not the first time. Later on the lions were out enjoying the enclosure. Those visitors are the exception of course but it isn’t fun to see. I’ve noticed it happens more on busy days and wonder if a volunteer should just be sent there when it will be busy to try and keep people from doing daft things.

Was a little concerned to see the new zebra foal was a bit lame on the off fore so mentioned it to a keeper in passing - with the ground hardening out probably a consequence of a bit of play and it wasn’t too bad. Mother and foal still wandered around all day.

The paddock on the corner opposite the yaks / turning for the tiger area is empty and the signs are gone (formerly rhea though there are rhea in the farm area so don’t think they have left).

Saw the new young langur which was lovely and saw the group using the outside enclosure for the first time (for me) which was nice. The young red crowned crane has shot up and has some emerging adult colours. Great to see. Enjoyed seeing the new young flamingoes too.

Most animals were out and about except the cheetahs who I didn’t see all day. Was nice to see the gaur using their paddock and grazing down at the otter end. And it was a treat to see the sun set on the downs and see the rhinos in the twilight.

Despite it being August and the school holidays I found it impossible to resist being able to spend 11 hours at the zoo!
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The enclosure by the Yaks had a pair of Emu that I think must have been the pair I saw in one of the enclosures on the way into the passage thru Asia. The original plans for the macaques was to have a new path that ran adjacent to the railway and come out by the tigers so maybe that’s why it’s empty?
 
ajmcwhipsnade said:
The enclosure by the Yaks had a pair of Emu that I think must have been the pair I saw in one of the enclosures on the way into the passage thru Asia. The original plans for the macaques was to have a new path that ran adjacent to the railway and come out by the tigers so maybe that’s why it’s empty?
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Yes good shout that might be the case - that would take the path round the back of the sewage farm (no nearer to it than the front road and I don’t think people really notice it now) and would also give a good view of the babirusa and langur enclosure from the other side which would be nice. I saw the emu that space too, I’d forgotten which ratites were in the corner one! It’s not a bad paddock though so hopefully they will also reuse it vs removing it completely.
 
Lafone said:
Yes good shout that might be the case - that would take the path round the back of the sewage farm (no nearer to it than the front road and I don’t think people really notice it now) and would also give a good view of the babirusa and langur enclosure from the other side which would be nice. I saw the emu that space too, I’d forgotten which ratites were in the corner one! It’s not a bad paddock though so hopefully they will also reuse it vs removing it completely.
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I believe the idea was also to have glass viewing windows into what was at the time the sloth bear enclosure so obviously that changed a while ago so maybe It will just be the path
 
Lafone said:
Yes good shout that might be the case - that would take the path round the back of the sewage farm (no nearer to it than the front road and I don’t think people really notice it now) and would also give a good view of the babirusa and langur enclosure from the other side which would be nice. I saw the emu that space too, I’d forgotten which ratites were in the corner one! It’s not a bad paddock though so hopefully they will also reuse it vs removing it completely.
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The enclosure that I believe you’re referring to (next to the water treatment works, facing out towards the main cafe and lake) from recent memory held male Nile Lechwe, then Hog deer. The emus are/were the latest occupants.

It’s always been a strange paddock. Personally I’d net it over and bring back the vultures!
 
Panthera1981 said:
The enclosure that I believe you’re referring to (next to the water treatment works, facing out towards the main cafe and lake) from recent memory held male Nile Lechwe, then Hog deer. The emus are/were the latest occupants.

It’s always been a strange paddock. Personally I’d net it over and bring back the vultures!
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Yes the hog deer moved up to the one next to the cheetahs. It's got a strange undulation but it's never had anything in it that made the most of it viewing wise (could do with a bit of planting). Would be nice with vultures!
 
On our visit yesterday we saw both male and female porcupines in their indoor area and a brief glimpse of their one day old porcupette. Not easy to see as there are now barriers to keep the public away from the viewing window and impossible to get any photos with the glare of the sun on the glass.
 
rjh said:
On our visit yesterday we saw both male and female porcupines in their indoor area and a brief glimpse of their one day old porcupette. Not easy to see as there are now barriers to keep the public away from the viewing window and impossible to get any photos with the glare of the sun on the glass.
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Fantastic news! Which indoor area was it? Operation Porcupine will commence of my next visit!
 
Wish we had known about the porcupette but oh well!
Good day, wolverine have met now but currently Fifi injured so till it’s healed she isn’t on show but the new male is out on show. And no he didn’t injure her ..
Down to 2 male African hunting dogs, the three new arrivals are no more and it was the males who were the problem according to the keeper , the females were introduced and interested but the male dogs didn’t want to know.. So they are confused as to what to do next.. as they are a pack animal and can’t seem to form a solid pack at whipsnade..
Zebra foal is very cute and active watched by mum.
Giraffe were out and looking well, couldn’t find Lola or hooder the hippos anywhere
Elephants looked good , nice to see baby Nang playa she was 1 today still looking healthy and well!
New monkey Exhibit is expected to be complete by summer 2024! That’s the plan so far but depends on winter weather!
 
Rosie183 said:
Wish we had known about the porcupette but oh well!
Good day, wolverine have met now but currently Fifi injured so till it’s healed she isn’t on show but the new male is out on show. And no he didn’t injure her ..
Down to 2 male African hunting dogs, the three new arrivals are no more and it was the males who were the problem according to the keeper , the females were introduced and interested but the male dogs didn’t want to know.. So they are confused as to what to do next.. as they are a pack animal and can’t seem to form a solid pack at whipsnade..
Zebra foal is very cute and active watched by mum.
Giraffe were out and looking well, couldn’t find Lola or hooder the hippos anywhere
Elephants looked good , nice to see baby Nang playa she was 1 today still looking healthy and well!
New monkey Exhibit is expected to be complete by summer 2024! That’s the plan so far but depends on winter weather!
Click to expand...

Such a shame about the Wild Dogs. Definitely were three last time I went so that’s really sad news.
 
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