but I will say that inside I only saw two... not sure about the rest
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo ZSL Whipsnade Zoo News 2023
- Thread starter JP1996
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I've been three times and didn't even know the 'Owl Wood' was a thing... thanks!
Kalaw
Well-Known Member
Very glad to know it isn't just me - after eight visits, I only discovered it in May earlier this year!
It's well-hidden, in the patch of woodland to the immediate left of the entrance. Regrettably, there are a few disused aviaries there, and only four species (with the Sumatran Laughingthrushes mentioned in Lafone's post being a fairly new addition, I believe). Definitely worth checking out on your next visit, and the secluded, woodland atmosphere is quite a nice setting for an owlery, but I cannot help but feel that, given how extensive the zoo's offshow bird collection is, and how much of that is hidden in the same corner of the zoo as Owl Wood, it could be a little better.
‘Owl Wood’ is a collection of aviaries that were once part of the larger Woodland Walk. This area was accessed via a gate and included a one-way single track pathway, hides and a large pond. The owl aviaries were at the end of walk. There was also once a small aviary that housed Snowy Owl that was immediately outside of the exit.
Woodland Walk closed in the early 2010s after a number of years of severe weather, particularly heavy snowfall, and was not deemed safe to reopen. However, should the zoo see fit to ever reopen it, this would make an excellent wolf exhibit (imo) should the
species ever return to Whipsnade.
Woodland Walk closed in the early 2010s after a number of years of severe weather, particularly heavy snowfall, and was not deemed safe to reopen. However, should the zoo see fit to ever reopen it, this would make an excellent wolf exhibit (imo) should the
species ever return to Whipsnade.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
True it would make a nice spot for an exhibit like that. Or if they extended the aviaries down where the old path used to go and did them up it could be a marvellous focus for birds too. You can see old hides or remnants of the walk in the trees from the sign board about the woodland.
I think most visitors miss it even on busy days there’s very few people in it!
I think the old woodland bird walk would make an excellent wolf enclosure but I would worry about potential problems with high winds like we saw with the bear enclosure a few years ago.
If I remember correctly at the time the woodland walk closed the owl aviaries held Grey Owls, Spectacle Owls, Ravens and a small wooden shed with a sign that said it contained dormice.
Strathmorezoo
Well-Known Member
Looking at 2.of my very old Whipsnade zoo guides (1932 /1934)what is now owl wood was originally known as wood lawn bird sanctuary and left natural to encourage the breeding of local wild birds
I will say about oystercatchers -
They are still listed on ZTL as being at Whipsnade...
are they on-display?
They are still listed on ZTL as being at Whipsnade...
are they on-display?
I remember them being in the bird garden when it was open, and I can’t think of anywhere else they would be on show
I have a photo from 2010 of an oystercatcher in the aviary next to the Base Camp restaurant.
Gabriel Furr
Active Member
Does anyone know if the male lion is still at the zoo or what happened to him?
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Which male lion?
There is a young male at the moment, Malik who recently joined the two females and came from Germany. So three lions in the new pride - one male two females.
Khari the male who was there on his own is back in Blackpool now. He was a temporary resident while his enclosure was being remodelled.
Zero who was at Whipsnade (with other males but he was pride leader) with the pride from Africa alive when their enclosure was damaged returned to Africa alive but is now sadly deceased.
The last male lion at Whipsnade from the original group, Max, died in December 2021 along with Kia.
Gabriel Furr
Active Member
Yeah Malik, I've never seen him/ photos of him outside in his enclosure so I wondered if something happened to him.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
He’s still there. He’s a bit harder to see but things will probably change as he gains confidence.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
There’s a couple of pages on the Whipsnade bears in the Autumn wildabout ZSL members brochure as well as a nice piece on conservation efforts to preserve the Guam Kingfisher, wild London eels, the baby Langur at Whipsnade, some conservation updates on Pangolins and voles and a preview of the Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians in London.
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Malik is only 2 yrs old and as his mane matures and his confidence builds he will assert himself.
Lions of his age are ousted from their Prides and would usually be solitary or with a coalition of males around their own age…..
Once they reach 3/4 yrs old they are ready to take over a Pride of females which is when Maliks hormones will kick (or hopefully sooner as his females are already present)
Lions of his age are ousted from their Prides and would usually be solitary or with a coalition of males around their own age…..
Once they reach 3/4 yrs old they are ready to take over a Pride of females which is when Maliks hormones will kick (or hopefully sooner as his females are already present)
CJB Photography
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Visited today and he is fully mixed in with the girls. He’s roughly the same size as the two girls but his mane is starting to develop and he’ll bulk in size. Due to the bad weather all the lions retreated inside very quickly so didn’t take any photos of them all
I was checking ZTL and it says 1.0 Defassa Waterbuck arrived from Ree Park Safari last month
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