ZSL Whipsnade Zoo Whipsnade; 2012 and beyond

TARZAN said:
My memory must be playing tricks!, so just to clarify, the existing green elephant house, i.e. the building itself was originally constructed for the white rhino that came to Whipsnade in the early seventies, it was later refurbished in 1997 for the three Asian elephants, and the white rhino herd then moved to where they are now, am I correct Tim?
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Yes, you're correct.
 
Tim May said:
Yes, you're correct.
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Thanks for confirming this Tim, i knew the building was in that area, but cant actually remember going in there as the rhino could always be viewed outside whenever i went in the 70s/80s. Also i always paid more attention to the indian rhino as i never saw them anywhere else at that time!
 
TARZAN said:
the building itself was originally constructed for the white rhino that came to Whipsnade in the early seventies, it was later refurbished in 1997 for the three Asian elephants, and the white rhino herd then moved to where they are now, am I correct Tim?
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As he said, yes, that's correct. Outdoors the enormous herd of Rhinos had most of the area now taken by the outdoor Elephant paddocks, the Indian Rhino Paddocks and (I think)extending into the Asian Plains area as well. When the changes were made there was also a decision to cut down the enormous (22+) White rhino herd to its current smaller number, and the closure of the Umfolozi Railway/Rhino herd exhibit. Also the remodelling of the area zoographically so that all the Asian species(including Elephants) moved to that part of the Park, and the White rhinos relocated to where they are now, in the 'African' section.
 
pipaluk said:
An improved indoor elephant area wont draw more visitors on those days!
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I would really hope this isn't the point of the refurbishment. While I'm sure they'll brand and market any new development, looking at the current house I think the issue will be husbandry and welfare rather than trying to increase footfall.
 
johnstoni. said:
I would really hope this isn't the point of the refurbishment. While I'm sure they'll brand and market any new development, looking at the current house I think the issue will be husbandry and welfare rather than trying to increase footfall.
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We don't disagree on improving conditions for the elephants, i just think its pointless spending too much extra money trying to make it a lot more visitor friendly than the existing building for the reasons already given.
 
Indoor House upgrades at Whipsnade. They did it for the Hippos(on a miniature scale) and they did it for the Indian rhinos(on a much grander scale yet it isn't fully used). Now presumably its the Elephants' turn.
 
pipaluk said:
As a regular visitor i would rate this their best new exhibit of recent times, replacing what was frankly a boring stork/wallaby exhibit with wolverine to compliment the brown bear on the other side of the raised walkway was a masterstroke, though if they are inactive its like any other no show exhibit! Its spacious, with a few trees and fallen ones added, not totally naturalistic yet but in time it will be excellent.
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thanks:D:D:D
 
For the record: the White Rhino moved up onto the Downs in the 1980s (ca 1987?). Personally, I don't think that THEIR accommodation is that good - beasts of that size need a proper sanded yard for days when it's too wet, otherwise grass gets churned up. Which has happened; the area around the little concrete yard has been completely trashed by the weight of six three-ton animals over 25 years.

Anyway, I digress; at that time the White Rhino did a straight swap with the Bactrian Camels and Yak. Hence before the old White Rhino house (now over forty years old, so it is probably coming to the end of its working life, green cladding notwithstanding) could be converted for elephants, the stable nearest the Przewalski's Horses had to be built as shelter for the Bactrian Camels and Yak (or probably more likely the keepers who had to go out in the depths of Chiltern winters to administer hay to them).
 
IanRRobinson said:
For the record: the White Rhino moved up onto the Downs in the 1980s (ca 1987?).
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As I mentioned in my earlier post, the current Whipsnade Elephant House was originally built for the herd of 20 white rhinos that arrived in 1970.

This building was subsequently converted for elephants in 1997 and the new elephant accommodation was opened by the Duke of Edinburgh on 2nd June 1997.

I realise now that my response might have given the impression that the rhinos remained in this building until 1997 although that was not intentional. You are of course correct, Ian; the white rhinos moved to their current accommodation about ten years prior to their former house being converted for elephants.
 
Tim May said:
As I mentioned in my earlier post, the current Whipsnade Elephant House was originally built for the herd of 20 white rhinos that arrived in 1970.

This building was subsequently converted for elephants in 1997 and the new elephant accommodation was opened by the Duke of Edinburgh on 2nd June 1997.

I realise now that my response might have given the impression that the rhinos remained in this building until 1997 although that was not intentional. You are of course correct, Ian; the white rhinos moved to their current accommodation about ten years prior to their former house being converted for elephants.
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As the accomodation was formerly occupied by rhinos and since refurbished
minor for the new elephant herd (up from then ZSL Regent's Park), it makes fair and good sense now (with the growing herd at the park) to completely overhaul the indoor accomodation and also look at the wider issue what the current elephant herd and its management require. Space at Whipsnade obviously is not an issue (as it is in major city locations everywhere). Good luck to them, I say with the new elephant acco.
 
Just a thought, and pure speculation on my part please note, but could these improvements to the elephant facilities at Whipsnade that are due to take place, being made with the future management of the herd going over to protected contact in the future?
 
More baby animals for Whipsnade.....

First peek outside for rare red panda twins - News - ZSL Whipsnade Zoo - ZSL

That means alot of babies for Whipsnade this year, what with lynx kittens, cheetah cubs, baby sitatunga, zebra foal, silvery marmoset twins, baby kudu, 4 baby scimitar horned oryx, baby waterbuck and a baby pygmy hippo (don't think I've forgotten any)

Also on their facebook page someone has mentioned a baby giraffe born on Sunday morning....anyone know anymore, as that would be the first baby giraffe for quite a few years I would think?
 
catinthehat said:
More baby animals for Whipsnade.....

First peek outside for rare red panda twins - News - ZSL Whipsnade Zoo - ZSL

That means alot of babies for Whipsnade this year, what with lynx kittens, cheetah cubs, baby sitatunga, zebra foal, silvery marmoset twins, baby kudu, 4 baby scimitar horned oryx, baby waterbuck and a baby pygmy hippo (don't think I've forgotten any)

Also on their facebook page someone has mentioned a baby giraffe born on Sunday morning....anyone know anymore, as that would be the first baby giraffe for quite a few years I would think?
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Moose twins too! Didn't realise the male giraffe had been there long enough, but time flies!
 
catinthehat said:
Also on their facebook page someone has mentioned a baby giraffe born on Sunday morning....anyone know anymore, as that would be the first baby giraffe for quite a few years I would think?
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You are right, there was a giraffe born on Sunday, however on Monday it was a bit touch and go and I don't know what the current situation regarding the baby is now...
 
AdamD601 said:
You are right, there was a giraffe born on Sunday, however on Monday it was a bit touch and go and I don't know what the current situation regarding the baby is now...
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Excellent news. Does this mean ZSL Whipsnade have 1.3.1? Do you know the sex? Nice to see ZSL Whipsnade breeding these again they had a great record with the old trio (?). Also very nice to see the new male 'Uno' has started breeding.
 
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