ZSL Whipsnade Zoo visited today

kaz

Well-Known Member
went to whipsnade today for the first time since july.
was not very nice weather but didnt stop me seeing some things id never seen before, thats why i love whipsnade, just because the animals are the same it dosent mean the behaviours will be.

the first thing i saw was the ring tails huddled on the top of their waterfall with tails wrapped round them, it was freezing!
the linx were huddled up in their usual spot under the tree roots.
the 3 brown bears were out munching on apples carrots and oranges and were quite active.
the wolverine had something that looked like a white chicken and was running around the enclosure, it looked a bit like it was showing it off.
one of the penguin pools had been drained with one young looking humbolt standing in the empty pool looking rather confused, they did have a floating "house" which had signs of use but none in there.
one of the tigers was locked outside and was pacing and kept pawing at the door to get back in.
the elephants were in the paddock, i hadnt realised how big donna and george had got but seeing them with the new baby they looked huge!
i saw the gaur calf, all 3 were out in their paddock and the adults were really active and sort of headbutting each other.
the sealion splash was different, there was only bailey and lara but there were new elements to it where one of them climbed the steps and "shouted" over the wall, lots of spinning and rolling on the stage.
the hippos next which i was really looking forward to,common hippos; lola and the new baby hula were indoors but after lots of children screaming and shouting lola decided enough was enough and they went off out the back for a bit of peace, she is very protective of hula and before she went there was lots of "yawning". outside nigna and hoover were in the pool together so not sure if they are trying for another pregnancy there... pygmys; flora and sapo the baby were indoors and he is growing quick. tapon was outside eating a thistle bush growing in his enclosure.
the lions were in their usual spot asleep by the glass.
the giraffes were indoors and there was a volunteer in the house she was explaining to visitors about the different bones and poo of the animals. one of them has no hair on its tail and the volunteer said they dont know what happened or if it will grow back as that is how it arrived.
the otters were having a ball playing chase on their island and were very vocal.
the red pandas were really active today, one climbed down the tree and walked around the perimiter of the enclosure marking and also by the ground boxes then went back up the tree and was joined by another (who had no tail?) and they were climbing the branches, ive never really seen them do much more than sleep.
inside the discovery center the tank where the piranha were was empty but i didnt see them elsewhere so not sure what happened there.

think thats it.....
i didnt see many staff about, those who were "working with the public" were dressed up as various ghouls, even frankenstein was clearing the plates away in the cafe!!
hope this was alright. and if anyone has any questions ill try to answer.
 
Nigna is fairly advanced in years now but its possible she could breed again I guess. The main problem might be accomodation of two mothers and calves, at least indoors, or seperate from the male. Keeping Nigna and Hoover together indicates they are prepared for her to become pregnant if it happens.
 
visited again for the lynx feeding this week and as it was a miserable day the place was empty so managed to have a good chat with the person doing the talk.
she confirmed our suspition that there was only one tiger. the male whos name escapes me but it began with an m, passed away about a month ago. there are no plans to get another in as the genes are already well represented.
sad news and anastacia is learning to be on her own, but the keeper is doing some extra target training with her to keep her occupied.
 
visited again for the lynx feeding this week and as it was a miserable day the place was empty so managed to have a good chat with the person doing the talk.
she confirmed our suspition that there was only one tiger. the male whos name escapes me but it began with an m, passed away about a month ago. there are no plans to get another in as the genes are already well represented.
sad news and anastacia is learning to be on her own, but the keeper is doing some extra target training with her to keep her occupied.

His name is Maliack (not sure) of spelling. I didn't see him last year but Anastasia was due to move to Blackpool zoo but the move collapsed, do you think they could move her now?
 
i did mention the blackpool move but she knew nothing bout it.
but if their genes are already well represented id guess they wont breed from her, the woman did say that she is now living as she should be- solitary. so i suppose that where she will stay now.
 
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