ZSL Whipsnade Zoo Whipsnade Zoo 2014 #1

Animal Friendly said:
I recall when C.A.P.S. exposed a major zoo in this country for sending bison to a commercial bison farm, and on that occasion in my opinion I think they had a valid point, I also recall another well known and respected zoo in this country being criticised for supplying ostrich to a commercial ostrich farm. The question is where do you draw the line?, zoos claim that their purpose is to educate and conserve endangered species, none of this is being achieved by simply rearing animals with a view to sending them away later where they will end up on someone's barbecue when they invite friends round, "Isn't this great we have bison steaks , how marvellous!", I think not. I also think you made a valid point previously concerning the transport of bison to their point of slaughter, which without doubt will be very stressful to these wild animals, they are not domestic, usually docile domestic bovines. I question why when literally millions of domestic farm animals are slaughtered in this country every year, and many do not even have the pleasure of being stunned prior to having their throats slit, this would not appear to be enough to satisfy the tastes of certain omnivorous humans, people who think it is great to have reindeer on Christmas Day being another example. Where do you draw the line on this?, could it be possible that in the future the problem of surplus male elephants and gorillas could be solved by selling them to the "exotic" meat trade?
Click to expand...

If you go to certain "markets" in London you'll get a few "exotic" cuts! Abhorrent but true I'm sad to say.
 
Fantastic news regarding the Thommies, considering I failed to see the species at Leipzig.
 
IMO, with the latest additions, small but manageable groupings and Marwell's apparent demise in this area, Whipsnade has the opportunity to become THE premier hoof stock/ungulate facility in the UK. The question is do ZSL grab this opportunity?
 
Panthera1981 said:
IMO, with the latest additions, small but manageable groupings and Marwell's apparent demise in this area, Whipsnade has the opportunity to become THE premier hoof stock/ungulate facility in the UK. The question is do ZSL grab this opportunity?
Click to expand...

I think they will.
 
By my reckoning (and excluding domestics): Asian Elephant: Great Indian and Southern White Rhino; Przewalski's Horse, Onager and Grevy's Zebra: Wild Boar and Red River Hog; both Common and Pigmy Hippo; Bactrian Camel; Chinese Water Deer, Moose, Reindeer, Reeves' Muntjac, Axis, Hog, Sika, Swamp, European Fallow and Pere David's Deer; Reticulated Giraffe; Yak, Gaur, American and European Bison, Nilgai, Bongo, Greater Kudu, Sitatunga, Roan, Gemsbok, Scimitar-horned Oryx, Blesbok, Ellipsen Waterbuck, Impala, Blackbuck and Thomson's Gazelle. An impressive list, but those who know and love it are sure it could be enhanced!
 
IanRRobinson said:
By my reckoning (and excluding domestics): Asian Elephant: Great Indian and Southern White Rhino; Przewalski's Horse, Onager and Grevy's Zebra: Wild Boar and Red River Hog; both Common and Pigmy Hippo; Bactrian Camel; Chinese Water Deer, Moose, Reindeer, Reeves' Muntjac, Axis, Hog, Sika, Swamp, European Fallow and Pere David's Deer; Reticulated Giraffe; Yak, Gaur, American and European Bison, Nilgai, Bongo, Greater Kudu, Sitatunga, Roan, Gemsbok, Scimitar-horned Oryx, Blesbok, Ellipsen Waterbuck, Impala, Blackbuck and Thomson's Gazelle. An impressive list, but those who know and love it are sure it could be enhanced!
Click to expand...

And Nile Lechwe. :D
 
Blackbuck- are there any left now?

Thomson's Gazelle- when did these arrive, whereabouts are they and how many?

Blesbok-- ditto.
 
Pertinax said:
Blackbuck- are there any left now?

Thomson's Gazelle- when did these arrive, whereabouts are they and how many?

Blesbok-- ditto.
Click to expand...

Blackbuck - Just the one male in the drive through at the moment.

Gazelle - Arrived last week but not sure where they are (maybe bongo house where impala were?) or how many.

Blesbok - Arrived a few weeks ago, think they may be in the Roan house, not sure how many - think about three?
 
AdamD601 said:
If there is to be a number 40, I wonder what it'll be...
Click to expand...

Wildebeest would be nice. Its a previous iconic Whipsnade species too and amidst this apparent revival of ungulates, still lacking. We mustn't be greedy but Wildebeest (any species) back again would really be great and make it feel a bit more like the old days.
 
Last edited:
Tim May said:
I have fond memories of the days when the Whipsnade Thomson's gazelle herd had twenty-odd animals; it's great that the species is back at Whipsnade again.
Click to expand...

I think I once counted 28. I have a feeling they may have destroyed them eventually. Funny they should now be wanting to keep them again- its a good sign of course.:)
 
Pertinax said:
I think I once counted 28. I have a feeling they may have destroyed them eventually. Funny they should now be wanting to keep them again- its a good sign of course.:)
Click to expand...

I can also think back to those days Marwell also tried to get Thompsons going from animals from Whipsnade and Cotswold but it came to nothing a pity.
 
Pedantic point:-

Please note that it is Thomson's gazelle not Thompson's gazelle. (There is no 'p' in the name.)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top