@Lafone Whenever I go to Whipsnade, although my last visit was just before the very first Covid lockdown, I usually look for evidence of the early zoo. If you know where to look there is still plenty of it around, while quite a few buildings have hardly changed at all. The Lion and tiger pits are now filled in but open spaces remain, the old Indian rhino paddock near the Giraffe is a similar open space too. There used to be some small carnivore cages located in the wooded area between the Bears and the penguins, I think the remains of the brick dens may still be there. The old Elephant house is of course the best example. The original Hippo indoor house is still there- and still in use though a modern extension has been added. Moose and Wapiti Paddocks I think may be just patches of woodland now, on the right about halfway from the Penguins toward the lookout cafe. Now the American bison have gone(for the second time) their paddock on the side of the downs below the penguins is another empty site.
The remains/foundations of the two big cat dells are still fairly prominent, being unusually flattened circular areas on an uneven escapement! Both were filled in to create hibernaculars for the local bat population.
Thanks both I was there today and wandered around a bit in the rain peering at the old things it does make for an interesting note on a visit! I noticed a staircase / slope structure near the warehouse and wallaby area and wondered what it was so will throw a picture up for wise eyes!
Indeed it's sad that, once again, there are no American bison on Bison Hill. There are, however, still a few free-range prairie dogs living in the old bison paddock.
Last time I looked, the remains of the old spectacled bear enclosure could still be seen past the brown bear exhibit.
