ZSL Whipsnade Zoo whipsnade 2013
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Normally, I’ve found that the best time to see the wolverines is late afternoon; in my experience they’re usually very active after about 4:00pm. Consequently, with the wolverine exhibit conveniently close to the exit, I invariably stop there on way my out and spend the last half-an-hour or so of each Whipsnade visit watching the wolverines.
Onager. 2. Where were the rest?Didn't they add some more females? There was no sign of any in the yards or elsewhere either.
The most recent ZSL species lists shows 1.4 onager at Whipsnade as at the start of this year.
On all my recent Whipsnade visits I’ve seen three onagers in the main paddock. Sometimes I've also glimpsed an off-exhibit specimen either behind the Nile lechwe enclosure or opposite the hippo pools.
Presumably the pelicans are still there aren’t they?
Wolverines- Yes, I remember you saying that...I wasn't really expecting to see them on a whistle-stop visit like that and I've seen them at Cotswold very well previously.
Onagers- definately only two in the paddock. No sign of one in the hardstanding area, as per usual, although it could have been indoors. I haven't seen one opposite the Hippos for a long while now- I think that's where they hold young males before they are moved on.
Lake- yes, Pelicans were present. No 'ornamental' or wild Waterfowl species though, apart from a single Ruddy Duck... perhaps this is due to the non-pinioning policy? Thinking about it I saw no pairs of Geese in any other enclosures either, as you used to do.
My chief impression was that Whipsnade have lost most of their former wealth of nonABC species.
I think it depends what the exact definition of an abc species is? Some traditional abc species are rarely seen. Common hippo are far from common, Whipsnade being the only proper zoo to hold them in the UK. No bear species are common in the UK either.
Wolverine, Moose are not abc, now its become more common, is an indian rhino abc?
Its a rather vague term and embraces different species for different people of course. I would not rate all traditional ABC species as necessarily common- 'Common' Hippo is obviously 'ABC' and as you said, not common in UK zoos anymore.
For me, all rhinos are 'ABC', regardless of species, so are all big cats, bears etc.
I don't have an argument with this, but i often see the ABC zoo tag attached to Colchester & Whipsnade as some kind of negative or an insult. I never see it attached to Chester, which has more than it's fair share of ABCs, as do most good zoos! London would have been an ABC zoo once, but isn't any more because it has hardly any mammals compared to 30 years ago, surely that is a negative?
As i've said elsewhere i dislike the term simply because it implies inferiority! As i've pointed out some traditional ABCs such as bears & hippos are now very uncommon & i see it as a positive if a zoo has them.
BongoHardwood
Well-Known Member
A few points:
Wolverine and Lynx - Definitely best viewing is at the end of the day (feeding time!) but sometimes early mornings for the lynx and periodically throughout the day for the wolverine. In fact both can be seen at various times, it just depends on the day!
European Bison - There are 5, 3 females in the yard and 2 (pair) with the paddock.
Waterfowl - From memory there are the pelicans, storks, a ruddy duck, mandarin ducks (though these may have moved somewhere else now), plus a few goose species (3?) and I think another duck (a teal species?).
Wolverine and Lynx - Definitely best viewing is at the end of the day (feeding time!) but sometimes early mornings for the lynx and periodically throughout the day for the wolverine. In fact both can be seen at various times, it just depends on the day!
European Bison - There are 5, 3 females in the yard and 2 (pair) with the paddock.
Waterfowl - From memory there are the pelicans, storks, a ruddy duck, mandarin ducks (though these may have moved somewhere else now), plus a few goose species (3?) and I think another duck (a teal species?).
Thanks for confirming the full bison group are still there, the others must have been out of sight at the back of the shelter.
Bison- they must have been out of sight somehow then. Good to hear they still have a group though.
Waterfowl Lake. Saw Pelicans, Storks and the Ruddy Duck. No geese evident (could have been hidden behind the island). But this area used to make a more interesting display than it does currently.
IanRRobinson
Well-Known Member
An interesting comment from an informed visitor to Whipsnade whose memories evidently go back further than even mine...
Putting semantics aside, this is at the core of what quite a few posters here feel - Pipaluk obviously being one! There is a legitimate argument about the ideal species profile at London Zoo, only 36 awkwardly laid out acres and lumbered with (I think) seven listed buildings. But Whipsnade's 500 acres, many comparatively underused - hell, no, many of them never used ! - could easily be keeping so many more species with a bit more imagination.
To give a few ideas, how much money would it really cost to bring in (say) Steamer Ducks,a Pheasantry that was on view, Oriental White Storks, Steller's Sea Eagles, Black-necked Cranes, Geladas, Pallas' Cats, Kiangs, White-lipped and Bactrian Deer, Goitered Gazelles, Mishmi Takins, Markhors or Bharals? All of these would suit Whipsnade's climate, all are available within Europe, all are comparatively unusual to attract attention from both the enthusiast and (so important, and so often neglected) the individual who doesn't know much about zoos and wildlife but would like to know more. And most are of conservation importance.
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It definately feels rather 'dumbed down' nowadays, for such a huge estate that used to be literally teeming with animals, it just doesn't feel like that anymore, at least to me. I looked at that area below the Hippo pools as I remember someone(yourself?) saying that was long ago planned to be an entrance area. It is a large area, very attractive yet totally undeveloped. Even the herd of Black fallow deer appeared not to be there anymore (?). Then there is all the area adjacent to the road, lots of dereliction and empty woodland along there too and plenty of other empty areas around the park too. The ex Arabian Oryx enclosure by the entrance to the Asian Plains is now another empty/derelict enclosure.
Re Cold weather species (it probably feels like Tibet up there with the cold Northerly wind today!) Agree many of those species could be brought in to utilise the less developed scarp slope side of the Park which is too cold for many of the species they do have. I believe they applied for Geladas (saw it somewhere on the EEP recommendations) but whether they are still on a waiting list or it all fell through I don't know. But they do need many more species I think, to turn it back into a really great collection again.
IanRRobinson
Well-Known Member
It is that land at the back of the Hippos that annoys me so much, although the comparative emptiness of much of the drive through area is wasting space as well. Then there is the land at the foot of Bison Hill (and what is planned there, if American Bison are to be phased out); much of it is surely surplus to ZSL's requirements, and could so easily be sold for appropriate development, raising much needed capital. The Whipsnade White Lion Hotel anyone?
With all the space available, Whipsnade could be the best zoo in the country. More species need to be added and i find it a bit irritating that none have been added since Wild Whipsnade was developed a few years ago. I still think it's one of the best zoos in the UK, even as it stands today.
catinthehat
Well-Known Member
The black fallow were definitely evident when I went a few weeks ago for the overnight experience (Haven't had time to write about it yet, but will once I get a bit more time!). As for the land on the hill, from what the staff said all of that area is classed as an SSSI being a chalk grassland, so it it home to a flock of 25 (?) badger facved sheep to keep the grass at the correct level, so I would imagine that ZSL are restricted with what they can do with it.
The enclosure at the entrance to the Asia Drive section has Nile Lechwe in and then behind them there was a male onager, apparently separated from the herd as it was the son of one of the females. They aslo mentioned plans to get a larger herd of blackbuck as there is only 1 male at the moment.
The overnight experience, although expensive was an amazing experience! Having the zoo to yourself and amazingly knowledgeable staff to tell you all about the animals, history etc was fantastic. There didn't seem to be any question they didn't know the answer to. Seeing the lions roar in front on me in the dark is an experience that will stay with me a long time. But will write a full review when I have a little more time.
The enclosure at the entrance to the Asia Drive section has Nile Lechwe in and then behind them there was a male onager, apparently separated from the herd as it was the son of one of the females. They aslo mentioned plans to get a larger herd of blackbuck as there is only 1 male at the moment.
The overnight experience, although expensive was an amazing experience! Having the zoo to yourself and amazingly knowledgeable staff to tell you all about the animals, history etc was fantastic. There didn't seem to be any question they didn't know the answer to. Seeing the lions roar in front on me in the dark is an experience that will stay with me a long time. But will write a full review when I have a little more time.
Glad to hear the Black fallow are/were still there, even if they aren't really an exhibit.
The enclosure I am referring to is between the Nile Lechwe paddock and the Asian Plains entrance- it is the small sanded paddock and used to house the Arabian Oryx (and many years ago, Mountain Zebra) It was definately empty with a blank signboard.
Blackbuck, I thought I could see a pair, male moving about, resting female, but whether 1 or 2, its good to hear they intend to build these up again.
BongoHardwood
Well-Known Member
Announced via Facebook, Karishma the Asian elephant gave birth to a male calf last night! Fingers crossed it's healthy and does well 
IanRRobinson
Well-Known Member
Good news, but I suspect that they'd rather it had been a heifer.
Lovely Duckling
Member
Any idea on how many bears there are at Whipsnade?
Male/Female etc.
Male/Female etc.
In total there are six bears - three of each species
There are 0,3 European Brown Bears, and 1,2 Sri Lankan Sloth Bears.
Is giraffe cow Savannah the female due in late 2013?
The extended Giraffe House finished by now?