This was used for the Tigers from 1930s until 1989/1990 when the current Tiger enclosure was built on the site of a former Wolf Wood.
A similar Lion enclosure was demolished shortly before this photo was taken.
Attached is a scan of an old postcard, from the 1930s, depicting the Whipsnade concrete tiger pit; this is the one that Durrell refers to in his book “Beasts in my Belfry”.
I can well remember seeing Kodiak bears in this enclosure many times. Whipsnade is, probably, my favourite UK zoo - although this must have been one of the least inspired enclosures there.
just opposite where the white rhino are now, after the lookout cafe you had polar bear, then the tiger/kodiak bear pit then the tigerdell then the lion dell (lions and tigers were switched on occasion after tiger falls opened) various deer/antelope were temporarliy housed in the tiger dell after they moved out to but the concrete viewing steps atrted to crumble. The polar bear den was demolished only demolished a couple of years ago but was hidden under undergrowth
I can well remember seeing Kodiak bears in this enclosure many times. Whipsnade is, probably, my favourite UK zoo - although this must have been one of the least inspired enclosures there.
Hi Ash,
I've photographed Lowland Anoa in one of these enclosures in 2002. Can't remember exactly, but I think it was the tiger one.
At the time I took the photo, the enclosure was empty, if I remember correctly. Probably as it was due to be demolished.
what happened to the tigers during the building of tige falls, it says here that it was used for tigers until 1989, and my historical london zoo guide book says that it opened in 91, were the tigers still kept here?
Close but no cigar! The polar bear den was a small concrete cave and I can't even remember the kodiak bear den, but both have gone. The bat roosts were specialist tanks that have been specially buried for the express purpose as a roost, a small bricked chimney opening allows access for the bats. They can only be viewed by the public if they are lucky enough to be at the zoo at dusk in summer. AFAIK the bats are from the local area rather than having been brought in by the zoo.
