ZSL Whipsnade Zoo Whipsnade; 2012 and beyond

Having my first visit to whipsnade on Tuesday, not sure I'll be able to report much as I'm going with my 2 year old god daughter. Realy hopes she likes chimps!!
 
mazfc said:
Having my first visit to whipsnade on Tuesday, not sure I'll be able to report much as I'm going with my 2 year old god daughter. Realy hopes she likes chimps!!
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Plenty of interesting species, like Sloth bear, wolverine, onager, common hippo, matamata etc if she doesn't :p
 
This coming weekend there's something called "The Little Creatures Family Festival" at Whipsnade. The information on the website is unclear - does anyone know if the "fun" is actually in the zoo itself, or separate to it? Vaguely contemplating a visit in Sunday, but the thought of encountering a "family festival" makes me want to run to the hills, I must admit.
 
sooty mangabey said:
This coming weekend there's something called "The Little Creatures Family Festival" at Whipsnade. The information on the website is unclear - does anyone know if the "fun" is actually in the zoo itself, or separate to it? Vaguely contemplating a visit in Sunday, but the thought of encountering a "family festival" makes me want to run to the hills, I must admit.
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I agree that I hadn't seen a huge amount of information about the actual individual activities for the event. I can confirm it is within the zoo grounds, mostly (or completely - I didn't get a proper look) on the main lawns as the Shaun the Sheep event did. There are a number of activities such as a kids' disco (with rather loud music that can be heard quite a way away), Q&A animal talks and various other stands and activities. I would say relatively easy to avoid if you stay clear of that area except the music as I mentioned, though I thought the music actually made the zoo have a nice party, summery atmosphere so didn't mind it! :)

I managed to get some more info on the cheetah cubs as there is now a Zoo Baby board at the enclosure. Mother is Dubai - her second litter. The 7 cubs, as far as I can remember 2 males and 5 females (90% sure :P) were born on 25th (I think) of May. I was going to write it down, but didn't, so tough :P I'm pretty sure those sexes and dates are right... :)
 
Visited today...the Family Festival was really no hassle,was kept to the lawn area.

Saw all 7 cheetah cubs, Dubai is doing a fabulous job with them - they did a feed with them this afternoon. They were all feasting on a rabbit brought over by mum.

Flora the pygmy hippo has a very tiny baby...not sure of when it was born, but today was the first day on show. Hula and Lola were out in their pool.

Twin silvery marmosets in their little house - they weren't allowed out today though

The twin red pandas popped their heads out of the nest box today

Lynx family out, saw the Q&A and feed. Kittens having fun eating rabbit and quail.

Chloe the sitatunga is still very tiny, she was out in the paddock with mum and dad.

Possibly a 4th Scimitar-horned oryx born, we saw a VERY tiny one

Saw a few of the Yemen Chameleon babies in the Discovery Centre too

Great visit, lovely weather
 
MissJ63 said:
Visited today...the Family Festival was really no hassle,was kept to the lawn area.

Saw all 7 cheetah cubs, Dubai is doing a fabulous job with them - they did a feed with them this afternoon. They were all feasting on a rabbit brought over by mum.

Flora the pygmy hippo has a very tiny baby...not sure of when it was born, but today was the first day on show. Hula and Lola were out in their pool.

Twin silvery marmosets in their little house - they weren't allowed out today though

The twin red pandas popped their heads out of the nest box today

Lynx family out, saw the Q&A and feed. Kittens having fun eating rabbit and quail.

Chloe the sitatunga is still very tiny, she was out in the paddock with mum and dad.

Possibly a 4th Scimitar-horned oryx born, we saw a VERY tiny one

Saw a few of the Yemen Chameleon babies in the Discovery Centre too

Great visit, lovely weather
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Thanks for the update.

Very interesting news regarding the Pygmy Hippos. This means they will probably move on 'Sapo' (Last year's youngster). They will have probably introduced 'Flora' and 'Tapon' (?) some point over (Probably) last Summer.
 
Moose youngster 'Chocolate'

Has ZSL moved 'Chocolate' the young Moose on? I know he was due to be moved to Curraghs with HWP's females from their original breeding pair.
 
MissJ63 said:
Chocolate was moved to the Isle of Man last week :)
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Thank you.

So ZSL Whipsnade should now have 1.3 (?) and adult pairing plus two female offspring. It's nice to see breeding of Moose now that Whipsnade and HWP have breeding pairs. Curraghs should hopefully have a breeding pair too.
 
Jordan-Jaguar97 said:
Thanks for the update.

Very interesting news regarding the Pygmy Hippos. This means they will probably move on 'Sapo' (Last year's youngster). They will have probably introduced 'Flora' and 'Tapon' (?) some point over (Probably) last Summer.
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Visited today, and it appears Sapo might have moved on already, as mother & tiny new baby were indoors & adult male, Tapon was in one paddock & the other paddock had a currently empty sign on it, which usually suggests it will be empty for more than a day or two.

I also noticed at the elephant enclosure that the board for George's sign was empty. However, there were only 3 females plus the youngest calf Scott and another youngster in the main paddock, which i am pretty sure was male, so it may just be the sign has been damaged & is awaiting replacement.
 
pipaluk said:
Visited today, and it appears Sapo might have moved on already, as mother & tiny new baby were indoors & adult male, Tapon was in one paddock & the other paddock had a currently empty sign on it, which usually suggests it will be empty for more than a day or two.

I also noticed at the elephant enclosure that the board for George's sign was empty. However, there were only 3 females plus the youngest calf Scott and another youngster in the main paddock, which i am pretty sure was male, so it may just be the sign has been damaged & is awaiting replacement.
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The most likely case it that the ID board for George has probably fallen off/waiting for a repair. I really don't think he'd of been moved on, he will (probably) be moved on in another two/three years.

I was thinking 'Sapo' must be moved on soon if they have a new baby. I presume Whipsnade's Hippo house must be at full capacity or close to it housing three Pygmy Hippos and four Common Hippos.
 
From Anglia news (cute warning :D ) tut you can click on link and it will work [ame=http://vimeo.com/48464039]Cheet-ahhh! Cat cubs make zoo debut on Vimeo[/ame]
 
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Kifaru Bwana said:
Sapo left for Poland. The zoo Gdansk has lone female(s) to breed to him! :D
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How I wish Whipsnade would build a new Common Hippo facility.

This would that give them the scope to build up a decent group of this species, where they now have (potentially) a matriarchy with three females of varying ages. And it would allow the current house to be given over to Pigmies, a species probably a lot rarer than either of the rhino species held on site.
 
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