Thank you! That was where we thought - the really ramshackle bit with metal 'building site' style fencing? Just couldn't see anything, so will have to try again.
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo ZSL Whipsnade Zoo News 2025
- Thread starter Lafone
- Start date
Thank you! That was where we thought - the really ramshackle bit with metal 'building site' style fencing? Just couldn't see anything, so will have to try again.
Wonder if a rest and offshow was an Indication of possible babies? That would be amazing since it’s never happened before at whipsnade
That was our assumption based on when we've seen similar signs etc. before, so fingers crossed.
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Possibly mixed with the rhino/gemsbok/blesbok?
I've assumed there, or maybe just mixed in with the ostrich permanently - like, that's a massive exhibit for a handful of birds who patrol the fence line constantly.
Benmad1994
Member
I agree, I feel like that paddock makes the most sense, either that, or in with the Rhinos, or potentially in the paddock next to the cheetahs if they move the deer back to PTA?
Does anyone know why(some/most of) the Barasingha and the Hog Deer were removed from PTA in the first place?
Lafone
Well-Known Member
For the Barinsingha it was to help with breeding and extra shelter etc when the fawns are young and give them the option to separate the maturing males out (as they fight), as I understand it, from a talk a while ago.
That would make sense. Tropical deer prefer more shelter it seems and the young can be vulnerable to exposure in bad or wet weather without sufficient cover. Asian Plains is very bare I think, almost overgrazed and with few trees, no bracken and I sometimes think it lacks sufficient cover though I know housing shelters are provided.. At places like Woburn and Watatunga the Barasingha and other deer have access to woodland which they use though as a result are often less visible than at Whipsnade.
Or the waterbuck paddock as the plan to merge with the zebra seems not to be forthcoming.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Had a fun day at Whipsnade today. Was really cold but the rain stayed off which was a lucky break. A quiet day generally with just a few schools trips on site.
Saw Leoni the new giraffe calf who looks very sweet. She has damaged her right ear and there are signs in the enclosure next to the viewing window about her being under vet treatment for the problem.
The Hunting Dogs continue to be barriered off. Two were spending a lot of time between the main house and the large den in the central paddock and running about. It might have been wishful thinking but one did look 'larger' than usual.
Opposite them the Wattled Cranes were displaying and dancing which was fun to watch.
Good views of the new Nyala, they seem curious and were right up against their fencing.
The otters have moved off show for the winter, signage states they will return in Spring and some more work will be done on the enclosure while they are not in it.
Generally good views of lots of animals enjoying the winter sun, a feed for the lions, sight of the new Scimitar Horned Oryx (as the herd were at the far end of the rear enclosure where you can see them) and great views of Hattie the red panda cub. Was nice to see the two new aardvarks joining the existing one and all three in a heap in the house. The rhinos had a freezing mud bath and ran about.
On the discussion point about Hog Deer and them being in a couple of places, the males appear to be in A Passage through Asia (saw three) and the rest of the herd in the main enclosure behind and next to the Cheetahs. The Cheetahs continue to be split between two paddocks.
Bird wise some excellent Kestrel sightings (including on the fence in Spicer's Field offering very close views) and the Lapwing between the passage lake and the Yak field. Whipsnade should have a sign or something about the Lapwing as the zoo has offered an excellent breeding home for them and they are now firmly established (a few years ago there were only a few there now and then). A positive native conservation message.
Saw Leoni the new giraffe calf who looks very sweet. She has damaged her right ear and there are signs in the enclosure next to the viewing window about her being under vet treatment for the problem.
The Hunting Dogs continue to be barriered off. Two were spending a lot of time between the main house and the large den in the central paddock and running about. It might have been wishful thinking but one did look 'larger' than usual.
Opposite them the Wattled Cranes were displaying and dancing which was fun to watch.
Good views of the new Nyala, they seem curious and were right up against their fencing.
The otters have moved off show for the winter, signage states they will return in Spring and some more work will be done on the enclosure while they are not in it.
Generally good views of lots of animals enjoying the winter sun, a feed for the lions, sight of the new Scimitar Horned Oryx (as the herd were at the far end of the rear enclosure where you can see them) and great views of Hattie the red panda cub. Was nice to see the two new aardvarks joining the existing one and all three in a heap in the house. The rhinos had a freezing mud bath and ran about.
On the discussion point about Hog Deer and them being in a couple of places, the males appear to be in A Passage through Asia (saw three) and the rest of the herd in the main enclosure behind and next to the Cheetahs. The Cheetahs continue to be split between two paddocks.
Bird wise some excellent Kestrel sightings (including on the fence in Spicer's Field offering very close views) and the Lapwing between the passage lake and the Yak field. Whipsnade should have a sign or something about the Lapwing as the zoo has offered an excellent breeding home for them and they are now firmly established (a few years ago there were only a few there now and then). A positive native conservation message.
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Lafone
Well-Known Member
Yes it was a bumper year for chicks this year on the Downs it seems. Loads around.