I too will miss the hippos, there’s just so little left of the Whipsnade I first visited as a kid in the early sixties
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo ZSL Whipsnade Zoo News 2025
- Thread starter Lafone
- Start date
All this less than a decade after they'd spent a significant amount of money upgrading the facilities.
Which could (or perhaps should knowing what we know now) have gone towards the hippo facilities!
Last edited:
Exactly. It's ended up being a very short sighted decision.
Hot take: why not Cape buffalo? Cape buffalo would readily use the ponds, wouldn't need too much reinforced fencing (if it's good enough for a hippo it's surely good enough for Cape buffalo), and the additional paddocks in the back could be utilized to provide more space.
A wonderful afternoon up at the zoo, lovely temperature and plenty to see despite the warmth. I got my last look at Lola & Hodor (Hippos) and whilst it was bittersweet, its amazing to think that they have such a great new facility at Longleat to look forward to.
Got great views of the two species of Waterbuck, Gemsbok and also saw both Spotted Deer together. On our first drive around the Warty Pigs & Deer were mixed together but later on they were separated.
Spent ages watching the Langurs/Babirusa & Macaques/Anoa outside. All species were making great use of the outside areas, both primate species were especially enjoying the trees in the two enclosures.
Only thing of note was that the Rhinos were inside whilst they were installing a newer gate between the Rhino & Antelope sides of the large paddock.
Got great views of the two species of Waterbuck, Gemsbok and also saw both Spotted Deer together. On our first drive around the Warty Pigs & Deer were mixed together but later on they were separated.
Spent ages watching the Langurs/Babirusa & Macaques/Anoa outside. All species were making great use of the outside areas, both primate species were especially enjoying the trees in the two enclosures.
Only thing of note was that the Rhinos were inside whilst they were installing a newer gate between the Rhino & Antelope sides of the large paddock.
Do we think this could be so the little gemsbok can go outside?
Also, was Passage through Asia open?
Oh I’m not sure, the four Gemsbok adults were out in the paddock and I think the keepers were trying to the the calf to join them but it wasn’t going.
Sadly it’s not open yet
Will keep an eye out for the calf when I go over the weekend, it's such a sweet little thing.
Thanks! I've not been into PTA for YEARS, since I was a teenager, so we're eagerly awaiting it reopening.
Probably best bet is the antelope house and yards.
I always love the PTA, everytime we go we always drive thru it. Felt weird today not to!
There is, of course, one scenario to consider regarding the Common hippo area:
The zoo deem the Common hippo part of the house, including the outdoor hard standing, redundant, partition it off and use it for storage. The Pygmy hippo side and both indoor on-show pools remain unaffected and operational. Outside, the pools become nothing more than ornamental or used as a rewilding excercise. The zoo then either puts some swanky sheds in the Common hippo paddock, ultimately giving them greater options of what to house there, or nets over the area to create an aviary (similar to the penguin set up)
The zoo deem the Common hippo part of the house, including the outdoor hard standing, redundant, partition it off and use it for storage. The Pygmy hippo side and both indoor on-show pools remain unaffected and operational. Outside, the pools become nothing more than ornamental or used as a rewilding excercise. The zoo then either puts some swanky sheds in the Common hippo paddock, ultimately giving them greater options of what to house there, or nets over the area to create an aviary (similar to the penguin set up)
It's interesting that the Hippos' move has not (yet) been reported on their FB page, perhaps they don't want the adverse comments it might create? But only two weeks ago on April 16th there is a short video about 'feeding the hippos' featuring the two common hippos. But there was no mention then of their imminent departure. Someone commented that they were 'looking forward to feeding them in August' Not now....
On a different topic, from a recent photo in the gallery it looks to me that the Phillipine deer are two males.
Yes, we've seen the calf in there most times we've been recently, will just be so nice when it can stretch its legs a bit!
We don't usually take the car in (expensive!) so only worth it if PTA is open
I could see the area being mothballed along the lines you describe, perhaps the pools still with a few waterfowl, perhaps African themed e.g Egyptian Geese etc. But they are advertising a new species...
My suspicions should’ve been raised when I discovered that the ‘Meet the Hippos’ experience (which ZSL made great public fanfare about I might add) was sold out for the remainder of 2025-this was back in February!
I'd be interested to know exactly why the PTA has been closed for a while now.
The deer are under veterinary observation so the area probably won’t be open until the veterinary team are happy.
My assumption has been fawns/calves being born. It may not be what they've done other years, but maybe they've decided it's a better idea. There's definitely young deer in there.
Website says 'June' but no given date (probably won't confirm one tbf)