Species on the brink of disappearing from U.K Collections
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Writhedhornbill
Well-Known Member
Chester would be great, considering the success they've had with forest buffalo, I'm sure that they could pass on this expertise onto Gaur.
Bwassa
Well-Known Member
If my memory serves correctly, Chester used to keep gaur in the 1980s. Don't remember if they had much success with them.
Cape Buffalo is another cattle species that is on the brink in the UK. Only Knowsley and West Midland Safari Park have them, and Knowsley's herd are all elderly females.
Writhedhornbill
Well-Known Member
Knowsley have a different subspecies to West midlands I believe...
They're not in the main drive though I don't think either....
They're not in the main drive though I don't think either....
cape buffalo
Do you mean the West Midlands or Knowsley ones?
I went to West Midlands recently and was disappointed not to see them there- I looked all around the main reserve where the sign is for them, but no joy.. I think they only have two(or is it five?) but it was about the only species I missed.
Cape Buffalo are another great exhibit but too 'common' for most zoos nowadays to bother with them. I can remember when Whipsnade had a small but impressive group, where the European Bison live now.
Do you mean the West Midlands or Knowsley ones?
I went to West Midlands recently and was disappointed not to see them there- I looked all around the main reserve where the sign is for them, but no joy.. I think they only have two(or is it five?) but it was about the only species I missed.
Cape Buffalo are another great exhibit but too 'common' for most zoos nowadays to bother with them. I can remember when Whipsnade had a small but impressive group, where the European Bison live now.
Bwassa
Well-Known Member
Knowsley's buffalo are from Uganda. They are usually on the first section of the drive through. I don't know where West Midland's buffalos are from, but they are in a separate enclosure on the left, just before you exit the drive through and leave the safari drive. According to ISIS they have built up quite a herd since I was there last year. They only had two males there then.
taun
Well-Known Member
The cape buffalo are just off the giraffe enclosure right near the end of the safari park.
I only saw two when I was there about a year ago
Not surprised I missed them then.
A warden in a jeep was driving the rhinos away from the roadat that point and the giraffe were all around the car too so I had to pay attention to the road a bit. I had wondered if the buffalo would be in the main drive-through area or not as they can be very belligerent when wild and perhaps still a bit unpredictable even when tame?
Bwassa
Well-Known Member
We saw them just after they arrived. They were right up against the front wall, so they were only about 6 or 7 ft from the car. I got some fantastic photos, and it was a complete surprise, as we didn't know they were there. Wejust came over the hill and noticed a sign saying Cape Buffalo, and I went crazy, as they are one of my favourites. We watched them for a good 20 minutes, during which they stayed at the wall, but eyed the car nervously. Every time we've been back since, they have always been right at the back of the enclosure, so we were honoured!
Chester received a male Gaur named Blake in 1983. He was born at London Zoo in June 1982 and was the first calf to be raised in the UK. He died in 1985 and a second male replaced him. This specimen died in 1987
I wonder if the present male at Whipsnade is any relation to these e.g. father/brother/halfbrother. I think Whipsnade's current female is a replacement as at one time there was only the single male.
johnstoni
Well-Known Member
Whipsnade aside, gaur may resurface in the UK, but successful breeding in captivity worldwide has slowed and the population is dwindling due to the need for new genes in the captive population. It's hard to see how a pair of Gaur from Madrid will suddenly begin breeding at Edinburgh, even if they acquire more individuals. Even Howletts and Port Lympne tried twice to successfully establish a group of Gaur but even with several births they always died out. I hope I am wrong though as it is such an amazing species. There was a small breeding herd at London during the 1980s, on what is the front part of the okapi area now, is the whipsnade male a survivor from this group?
I would say almost certainly -yes. As you know, over the years a number of species at Whipsnade were formerly kept at London and then 'retired' to Whipsnade- Sealion, Bongo, Arabian Oryx, Sloth Bear to name but a few...
This seems to be Whipsnade coming full circle again as it was opened with the intention or part of it anyway as a place for animals at the Regents park site to retire to.
Yes, I rember reading that, although nowadays I think 'retirement' to Whipsnade is more a case of sending species there when they aren't wanted at ZSL anymore- sealions, arabian oryx, spectacled bears(in the past) sloth bears, Bongo and probably the Gaur.
Oddly when London wanted to cut down on Chimpanzees they sent them all to Dudley not Whipsnade, which is a great shame as they would have improved the size and sex ratio in Whipsnade's group- however at that time the housing at Whipsnade was admittedly limited.
Bwassa
Well-Known Member
The male gaur currently at Whipsnade is not from London. I'm not sure where he is from. The previous male at Whipsnade was born at London in 1984. Called Conan, he was a very impressive specimen. He sadly died around 5 or 6 years ago, not long after Whipsnade got the current female.
Bwassa
Well-Known Member
Are you able to upload any of those photos into the gallery?
I will have a try for you.