Woburn Safari Park Woburn Safari Park News 2024

[dillotest0]

No. Many females become aggressive after they hit their 20th birthday and are no longer juveniles but adult females ready to be a matriarch of her own family, which also means more dominant. With just 10 Tarli is actually pretty young to challenge the dominance of her keepers. But if a female has reached her 40th birthday without ever being aggressive against humans there is a good chance she never will. However now Tarli knows she is stronger, and it would be highly dangerous and irresponsible to keep her in free contact (and in contact with the public) even a day longer.

I don't think Woburn does this anymore? They seemed to have toned down the elephant talk in recent years, in the past it used to have elephants and visitors in the same space for a part of the talk but this doesn't happen anymore. Even the extra-fee elephant encounter has been altered - in the past it used to allow participants to share space with the elephant though now the encounter has a small barrier between participant and elephant.

 

[Yassa]

It‘s good to hear they have already reduced the contact to visitors during the encounters. However, it sounds as if it’s not enough yet - a small barrier is not enough when an elephant does attack, and it would be absolute horror if visitors had to watch an elephant killing a keeper even if the visitors are behind a secure fence. Big changes are needed in Woburn, both regarding the keeper- elephant interactions and the breeding policy.

 

[Smaggledagle]

Other October/November 2024 News Worth Mentioning:

Spoiler: Domestic News

On October 6th, the zoo announced they acquired (0.2) Middle White pigs which are on exhibit. They were later named Wilbur and Winnie.

Woburn Safari Park
Woburn Safari Park

The Capybara babies are 3 males and 1 female.

On November 5th, the zoo announced the names of the capybaras; Yogi, Yorkie, Yoshi, and Yoko.

Woburn Safari Park

Social media confirmation

Keepers are over the moon to welcome a critically endangered Somali wild ass foal, born Friday 13th September! The female foal is already showing of her confident personality often found exploring her habitat with mum following her closely.

With fewer than 1,000 individuals left in the wild, this birth is a major milestone for the species. As an EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria) accredited zoo, Woburn Safari Park is proud to participate in the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP), playing a key role in the conservation of endangered animals, including our breeding herd of Somali wild ass.

The BBC have run an article announcing the birth of a male Bongo calf at Woburn on 16th October to mother Ofaya and father Sonny.

Critically-endangered mountain bongo born at Woburn Safari Park

On November 22nd, the zoo announced they named the wild ass Yana and the bongo Djembe.

Woburn's Critically Endangered Duo

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On December 1st, the zoo announced they acquired a (1.0) Guianan squirrel monkey named Murphy from the Colchester Zoo in Sussex which is now on exhibit.

1.4K views · 41 reactions | Keepers are thrilled to welcome a new arrival to Woburn Safari Park's Guianan squirrel monkey troop, a male named Murphy! Murphy has been settling... | By Woburn Safari Park | Facebook

 

[dillotest0]

It‘s good to hear they have already reduced the contact to visitors during the encounters. However, it sounds as if it’s not enough yet - a small barrier is not enough when an elephant does attack, and it would be absolute horror if visitors had to watch an elephant killing a keeper even if the visitors are behind a secure fence. Big changes are needed in Woburn, both regarding the keeper- elephant interactions and the breeding policy.

Saying that I seem to vaguely recall DEFRA doing something recently [this year?] that restricted which species could be used in animal encounters outside of enclosure.
So it may well be that this change was mandatory.

And looking at Woburn's website now the elephant encounter has disappeared. Offered are the Big Cat Breakfast, Safari Off-Road Adventure, Giraffe Encounter, Safari Feeding Time, Amur Tiger Encounter, Rhino Encounter, Lion Encounter, Meerkat&Tortoise Encounter, and Camel Encounter......no sign of Elephant Encounter.

 

[Smaggledagle]

On December 2nd, the zoo announced that 3 Asian small-clawed otters were born in early October which are now on display in Otter Falls.

3.5K views · 147 reactions | Keepers are so excited to welcome a trio of joy! Three Asian short-clawed otter pups were born in October to parents, Beatrix and Kovu Last December, Beatrix and Kovu welcomed their first pup, Thiên thần, who is now all grown up and ready to take on her big sister role. The family of six can be seen at Otter Falls in the Foot Safari, while they are still getting used to their enclosure, they will be sticking close to mum. Make sure to look out for the new arrivals! #otter #asianshortclawedotter #woburnsafaripark #safaripark #drivethroughsafari | Woburn Safari Park

 

[Smaggledagle]

On December 24th, the zoo announced that a Guianian squirrel monkey was born which is now on exhibit.

1.6K views · 78 reactions | Keepers are absolutely thrilled to welcome a new addition to Woburn Safari Park's Guianan squirrel monkey troop, a tiny baby born to new mum Gizmo! It hasn't been long since breeding male Murphy arrived at the Park, but he wasted no time settling in and getting close to female Gizmo. In a win for the species' conservation, they now have a healthy infant to keep them on their toes! Keeper Abbi captured the moment that mum and baby ventured out into their enclosure for the first time. These playful monkeys are found in their Monkey Mayhem enclosure - you can visit them in the Foot Safari! #woburnsafaripark #squirrelmonkeys #footsafari #newborn | Woburn Safari Park