ZSL Whipsnade Zoo Whipsnade versus Woburn Safari Park.

[Pertinax]

With only twelve miles distance between them, its interesting to note the similarities in these 'rival' attractions. Woburn Safari Park seems to have less animals than Whipsnade, though in fact both exhibit a remarkably similar collection of animals. Both have the following (in the case of different species, Whipsnade is listed first...)

African Lion.
Siberian Tiger.
Bear(Brown/black)
Wolf
Asian Elephant.
White Rhino
Giraffe(Reticulated/Rothschilds)
Prezwalski's Horse.
Grevy Zebra
Chapman Zebra(Whipsnade still has one old male)
Wild Ass(Onager/Somali)
Antelope(various/various)
Bison/Buffalo(congo)
Chimpanzee/monkeys
B.f. Penguins.
Californinan Sealions.
Ruffed Lemurs
Red River Hogs
Squirrel Monkeys.
Wallabies.
Asian Deer(at Woburn in the main deer park)
Bird and Sealion shows...

So there is very little difference from the visitor's point of view really...

 

[Coquinguy]

i think whipsnade is much better from a tourists point of view. the animal collection is so much more comprehensive, it still has red pandas, marmosets, indian rhino, birds birds birds, the discovery centre, plus amazing views, and it doesnt have a tacky ark either

 

[Pertinax]

i think whipsnade is much better from a tourists point of view. the animal collection is so much more comprehensive, it still has red pandas, marmosets, indian rhino, birds birds birds, the discovery centre, plus amazing views, and it doesnt have a tacky ark either

I'd agree with the first point- in that it still seems to have many more animals than Woburn. Of course it has a bird garden, children's zoo etc and despite the reduction in recent years, a greater selection of ungulates than Woburn does. Also Woburn is a bit 'tacky' as its primarily a tourist venue.

However, I wonder whether most visitors really notice these differences? The main thing I did notice at Woburn was the rather 'empty' feel' about it animalwise..

 

[ZooMania]

Accoding to the Top 30 UK Zoos thread here are the visitor numbers. Whipsnades seem to be falling.

16. ZSL Whipsnade, 446,829 (2006) -11%
17. Woburn Safari Park, 424,137 (2006) +6%

 

[Pertinax]

Accoding to the Top 30 UK Zoos thread here are the visitor numbers. Whipsnades seem to be falling.

16. ZSL Whipsnade, 446,829 (2006) -11%
17. Woburn Safari Park, 424,137 (2006) +6%

That's very interesting indeed. The figures are comparable, but Whipsnade's are down while Woburn's are up.

For the general visitor there is now remarkably little difference Species-wise(see above) in what they can see at each place. Woburn have(and still are) increased their range of species recently, and has the attraction of going 'in' the drive-thru reserves which kids probably enjoy more than the traditional zoopark experience.

 

[kiang]

at whipsnade you are charged an extra £10.00 or so to bring your park in and to walk around the 500acre park is quite off putting where as at any safari park you pay for the car as well

 

[Pertinax]

at whipsnade you are charged an extra £10.00 or so to bring your park in and to walk around the 500acre park is quite off putting where as at any safari park you pay for the car as well

Yes, that's another point. For the average visitor, they can see everything at Woburn without leaving the car then go to the Leisure area for food and the other animal displays. At Whipsnade its a very long walk round if you don't take the car in (at that extra price) and much walking time is spent not actually looking at the animals..