ZSL Whipsnade Zoo ZSL Whipsnade Zoo News 2025

[cerperal]

I will say - on actual topic briefly - that I think the way the Capybara news came out was clumsy and certainly didn't help matters because it framed the situation more as a downgrade for the zoo than an upgrade for the hippos.

Perhaps, but I think that they did a good job of making it clear Longleat has a new, state-of-the-art complex for the hippos and it's on EEP recommendation.

I think the fact they advertised the capybaras as going to London first, followed by some cagey details about them moving to Whipsnade, suggests they're either still sorting or at least hadn't confirmed the tapirs by that point, so didn't wish to promise anything that wouldn't happen.

I agree it read like a downgrade for Whipsnade to us, but for the average member of the public I genuinely think that the fact the hippos are moving to a better place and there will soon be capybaras there instead seemed like an overall upgrade. The social media comments have genuinely been very lovely to read - I was apprehensive there'd be similar comments as on here, but every comment I've read has expressed sadness but with a sense of "good luck!" as opposed to "how could ZSL possibly do this"

 

[TeaLovingDave]

and I won’t be gaslit into thinking otherwise.

Words have meaning, and when the meaning of a word is as serious as *that* one I think it is incredibly inappropriate to misuse it in this way. Please don't.

Not that you're the only one who does it - it seems to be an increasingly-common tactic for people online to equate "someone disagrees with me online" with "someone is engaging in psychological manipulation to trick me into doubting my own mental faculties" - but I can't do anything about people misusing the term elsewhere online

I think everyone - on both sides of the discussion - is getting far, far too highly strung and agitated at this point. I'm going to lock the thread for a short time to let people calm down and give myself and the other moderators a chance to clean things up a little.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

Opened again

 

[rhinofan12]

I wonder what with the improvements to the zebra area and house, if the male now has one of the new yards?

I did look around that area but couldn't see it, personally would love to see the zebra back in with the waterbuck as it's a huge area.

 

[Smaggledagle]

Other Early 2025 News Not Mentioned:

Spoiler: Domestic News

On June 3rd, the zoo announced that 2 domestic guinea pigs were born which are now on exhibit.

215 reactions · 5 comments | Discovering a newborn guinea pig | Whipsnade Zoo

Missed sparkes12 when we were there yesterday and nothing particular to add other than that we saw three baby macaques inside, which was lovely.

On February 16th, the zoo officially announced the birth of the 2 other Sulawesi-crested macaques, and the name of the first macaque, Eka.

Whipsnade Zoo

Three lion cubs were born in November. Absolutely fantastic news!

Three Northern African lion cubs born at Whipsnade Zoo | Whipsnade Zoo

On March 4th, the zoo announced they sexed the lions as (2.1).

Whipsnade Zoo

On June 13th, the zoo announced that 2 orange-headed thrushes hatched 4 days prior which are being hand-reared behind the scenes.

13K views · 161 reactions | Raising a tiny chick | By Whipsnade Zoo | Facebook

 

[JoB198]

A little pop around the zoo today, nothing of major note, although did discern the following:
- there are now 2 African hunting dogs, mixed together
- the baby blesbok is, if the info given by a keeper a few weeks ago about ear tags is correct, a male
- the new baby camel is called Ivor
- the aardvark enclosure *could* be open again (but I confess we didn't investigate - but the signs about being 'aard at work' and the aardvark being elsewhere didn't seem to be about
- no sign of the zebra stallion, although there is still a sign on the usual paddock on the chimpanzee side

We didn't go everywhere as it was initially hot, then a few spatters of rain and then very humid so we bailed earlier than we usually would.

A question though: for reasons we may be at the zoo from opening next Saturday: is there anything to particularly do immediately at 10am i.e. feeds etc. which give a particularly good view of any particular animals?

 

[rhinofan12]

A question though: for reasons we may be at the zoo from opening next Saturday: is there anything to particularly do immediately at 10am i.e. feeds etc. which give a particularly good view of any particular animals?

I've been at opening a few times the only thing of note I can remember was seeing the rhino being let out which was pretty cool.

 

[JoB198]

I've been at opening a few times the only thing of note I can remember was seeing the rhino being let out which was pretty cool.

Thank you!

 

[Lafone]

A little pop around the zoo today, nothing of major note, although did discern the following:
- there are now 2 African hunting dogs, mixed together
- the baby blesbok is, if the info given by a keeper a few weeks ago about ear tags is correct, a male
- the new baby camel is called Ivor
- the aardvark enclosure *could* be open again (but I confess we didn't investigate - but the signs about being 'aard at work' and the aardvark being elsewhere didn't seem to be about
- no sign of the zebra stallion, although there is still a sign on the usual paddock on the chimpanzee side

We didn't go everywhere as it was initially hot, then a few spatters of rain and then very humid so we bailed earlier than we usually would.

A question though: for reasons we may be at the zoo from opening next Saturday: is there anything to particularly do immediately at 10am i.e. feeds etc. which give a particularly good view of any particular animals?

Sounds a fun day!

The bears are sometimes out early on if the keepers are feeding them and if it’s warm weather the chimps will sometimes come out earlier. Apart from that try and spot where the keepers are parked!

 

[JoB198]

I've actually just remembered something which somebody may be able to explain for me. One of the nilgai (all of whom the stocklist says were female in Jan) has horns, which females don't normally have.

 

[Lafone]

I've actually just remembered something which somebody may be able to explain for me. One of the nilgai (all of whom the stocklist says were female in Jan) has horns, which females don't normally have.

Someone will be expert and know better but as far as I know only the males have horns and they are usually a different colour. Unless they acquired a male.

 

[Panthera1981]

Someone will be expert and know better but as far as I know only the males have horns and they are usually a different colour. Unless they acquired a male.

Good news if so as they’ve bred well in the past. Males do have a strikingly different colouration to the females, an impressive off-blue (hence the species other name: Blue Bull).

It would be very obvious if the zoo had acquired a new breeding bull, unless it’s a youngster of course!

 

[Lafone]

Good news if so as they’ve bred well in the past. Males do have a strikingly different colouration to the females, an impressive off-blue (hence the species other name: Blue Bull).

It would be very obvious if the zoo had acquired a new breeding bull, unless it’s a youngster of course!

Yes was thinking could be a juvenile if it looks more like the others but has horns. Would be fun if they had!

 

[Max Blundell]

(all of whom the stocklist says were female in Jan).

The stocklist also lists 2 males present.

 

[rhinofan12]

I've actually just remembered something which somebody may be able to explain for me. One of the nilgai (all of whom the stocklist says were female in Jan) has horns, which females don't normally have.

That would be amazing if they have acquired a male.

 

[Dr. Loxodonta]

The stocklist also lists 2 males present.

Yes, 2.6 are listed as held. Maybe an offshow individual has been brought out now?

 

[JoB198]

The stocklist also lists 2 males present.

So it does! Must have confused them with something else.

Well, one of them definitely has horns. Looks like all the others but with horns. Did some googling and found males reach maturity a fair bit later than females, so perhaps one to watch.

Is it therefore possible that when it went from 8 to 7 in the enclosure that it was a male who was moved on elsewhere as they reach sexual maturity?

If I get a chance, the next time I'm there and come across a hoofstock keeper, I'll ask about them.

 

[cerperal]

A question though: for reasons we may be at the zoo from opening next Saturday: is there anything to particularly do immediately at 10am i.e. feeds etc. which give a particularly good view of any particular animals?

Just to add, the wolverines tend to be fed around 11am with the bears starting to forage opposite them around the same time as well. I usually pop over to the elephants as soon as the zoo opens as Ming Jung is generally out in the yard interacting with keepers and the main herd are let out about quarter past, before heading back to do the Europe section in time for feeding. I do accept elephants are the main draw for me so probably not something everyone would do

Regarding the nilgai I also thought they'd dwindled to a small herd of females, I haven't got a clue why. Excellent that they do have 2 males and hopefully a breeding one because they are thoroughly impressive animals and criminally underrepresented in UK collections

 

[JoB198]

Just to add, the wolverines tend to be fed around 11am with the bears starting to forage opposite them around the same time as well. I usually pop over to the elephants as soon as the zoo opens as Ming Jung is generally out in the yard interacting with keepers and the main herd are let out about quarter past, before heading back to do the Europe section in time for feeding. I do accept elephants are the main draw for me so probably not something everyone would do

Regarding the nilgai I also thought they'd dwindled to a small herd of females, I haven't got a clue why. Excellent that they do have 2 males and hopefully a breeding one because they are thoroughly impressive animals and criminally underrepresented in UK collections

Thanks for the ideas!

I think I've confused them with the oryx in terms of just females. Part of the ongoing joke my partner and I have that ZSL don't understand how babies are made given the number of single sex herds

 

[Lafone]

Some additional early access days (9am access vs the usual 10am) have been added for members at Whipsnade

Sunday 20 July 2025
Sunday 19 October 2025

And two dates for world chimp day events (12th and 13th July) with events and stands near the birds of the world arena and talks at the enclosure.

If you don’t see the chimps outside on visits or want to see them in particular then these will be good days to catch the troop as there will be some enrichment activities etc going on.

On 9th and 10th August the zoo are running events around world lion day with talks and stands too.