ZSL Whipsnade Zoo ZSL Whipsnade Zoo News 2025
- Thread starter Lafone
- Start date
I thought she might be having piglets soon, she's looked VERY large. Thanks for the update, I'm a big pig fan and love the children's farm!
British explorer
Well-Known Member
I also loved the farm probably now my number one seconed is Dublin's.
Short vist yesterday, the elephants were all in the back paddock and not on the field which I found quite strange, no sign of the single Aardvark although not sure if it has an off show area.
Couldn't see the new female Indian rhino as they have really hidden her away now,noticed they have moved Hugo the male into the first enclosure wonder if this part of her settling in process.
Couldn't see the new female Indian rhino as they have really hidden her away now,noticed they have moved Hugo the male into the first enclosure wonder if this part of her settling in process.
No he left quite some time back.
Rajang-GOAT
Well-Known Member
As I understand it, Mazungu passed away a few weeks before new Greater one-horned rhino Jiya moved into the paddock which he lived in during his time at Whipsnade, due to dental issues and possibly other health problems which he had from his time at South Lakes. It's a shame as he was only 27 and I was looking forward to potentially seeing him again at Colchester.
Oh wow I didn't know that, what a shame
Ryley
Well-Known Member
How disappointing… I had the pleasure of feeding him a few years ago at South Lakes.
Sheepy12
Active Member
The reason he didn’t go to Colchester is because of his issues. They were ready to receive him but they hadn’t been made aware of his health issues until someone spoke up. It’s sad really that it had to happen that way. Whipsnade wanted to move him on so they didn’t have to deal with his issues (in a keepers own words). I didn’t see him when I visited Whipsnade a few weeks ago so just wondered if he was still about. Sad that he’s not.
I think his transport and move to Whipsnade from SLWAP was perhaps even ill-advised given his health issues.
TBH: His genetics were not exactly springtime chicken either ... (Nsiswa x Trio, b. 1997), being very related to the current Whipsnade bloodlines.
He was never going to mix ash fb
He was never going to mix with the Whipsnade bloodline but Colchester didn’t have the enclosure to take him and Whipsnade after the loss of one of their rhinos did.. so he was only every temporarily at Whipsnade till he was moved on. But given he has had 10 calf’s he leaves a long legacy x
Yes Hugo is in the front enclosure that the new female originally had and she has moved to the back enclosure but barriers all around so you can't see her, I am unsure if she has access to the outside paddock or not.
Visited yesterday in the sun - almost at my limit of heat tolerance, much like many of the animals!
Things which may be of interest:
- red crested turacos are now in the Woodland Walk (old Owl Wood) in the aviary with laughing thrushes and Vietnam pheasant (which we've yet to see, and you'd think they'd be the easiest to spot!)
- African hunting dogs is officially 'closed' on the boards
- so is Passage through Asia, with the same vet sign at the entrance. Barasingha and hog deer were in the paddock next to the cheetahs - I think there were 1 or 2 baby barasinghas; banteng in their enclosure behind them; spotted some Pere David's deer with young from Monkey Forest, so perhaps the closure is just for breeding
- baby gemsbok popped out into the yard, had a wander around and then back inside. It has GROWN.
- new bongo was in the yard whilst Pembe was in the paddock. They vaguely stood near each other, but no great Romeo and Juliet moments sadly!
- asked a volunteer if any plans to breed from Miron. He said he didn't know, but he did know current guidelines suggested the enclosure was for 1 tiger only.
- saw a rockhopper chick
Things which may be of interest:
- red crested turacos are now in the Woodland Walk (old Owl Wood) in the aviary with laughing thrushes and Vietnam pheasant (which we've yet to see, and you'd think they'd be the easiest to spot!)
- African hunting dogs is officially 'closed' on the boards
- so is Passage through Asia, with the same vet sign at the entrance. Barasingha and hog deer were in the paddock next to the cheetahs - I think there were 1 or 2 baby barasinghas; banteng in their enclosure behind them; spotted some Pere David's deer with young from Monkey Forest, so perhaps the closure is just for breeding
- baby gemsbok popped out into the yard, had a wander around and then back inside. It has GROWN.
- new bongo was in the yard whilst Pembe was in the paddock. They vaguely stood near each other, but no great Romeo and Juliet moments sadly!
- asked a volunteer if any plans to breed from Miron. He said he didn't know, but he did know current guidelines suggested the enclosure was for 1 tiger only.
- saw a rockhopper chick
Miron has been retired from the European Breeding Programme because of his unpredictable behaviour. A great shame because he's genetically important, but they didn't really have a choice in the end.
Ah I see, thanks. Makes sense to have him at Whipsnade then if the enclosure is only suitable for one tiger.
EDIT: Oh he's the tiger from Knowsley who killed his prospective mate that was on the TV show.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Indeed, Whipsnade keepers have also said they don't have a breeding recommendation because of the housing / lack of separation options now (guess guidance moved on since the last cubs) so it suits to have Miron on board given he won't be paired.
It's quite sad that they will never be able to breed as I think whipsnade has one of the best tiger enclosures in the UK, just a shame about the indoor area.
I would imagine one issue is access. The stand off and house are incredibly archaic, but the area as a whole is pretty much constricted by being surrounded by main access roads. So, unless there’s a rethink, there’s no room for expansion. Over the years the public have also created rat runs around the house and separation area, so it’s rather easy to put your fingers through the bars, if you’re that way inclined!
Hypothetically, one option could be to level out the hill side and open up the paddock currently housing the Yak to create a much larger tiger enclosure. A second option of course would be to build a brand new exhibit (Whipsnade isn’t exactly lacking in space!)