ZSL Whipsnade Zoo Whipsnade zoo 2017

Sadly, one of the two brown bears has been euthanised recently.

Notice on the enclosure reads:

Visitor Information
Brown Bears
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is sad to confirm that one of the elderly European brown bears had to be put to sleep in August 2017. Winslow, 24, had a number of age-related conditions, including arthritis, which could no longer be managed with veterinary treatment.
Zookeepers will be keeping a close eye on our other brown bear, 24-year-old Wellington, and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is working with the co-ordinator of the European breeding programme to explore the possibility of finding her some company.
 
Sadly, one of the two brown bears has been euthanised recently.

Notice on the enclosure reads:

Visitor Information
Brown Bears
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is sad to confirm that one of the elderly European brown bears had to be put to sleep in August 2017. Winslow, 24, had a number of age-related conditions, including arthritis, which could no longer be managed with veterinary treatment.
Zookeepers will be keeping a close eye on our other brown bear, 24-year-old Wellington, and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is working with the co-ordinator of the European breeding programme to explore the possibility of finding her some company.

Sad, however I "believe" the species does not have a long term future at Whipsnade.

I'd be happy to be proven otherwise!
 
How sad :(

Sadly, one of the two brown bears has been euthanised recently.

Notice on the enclosure reads:

Visitor Information
Brown Bears
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is sad to confirm that one of the elderly European brown bears had to be put to sleep in August 2017. Winslow, 24, had a number of age-related conditions, including arthritis, which could no longer be managed with veterinary treatment.
Zookeepers will be keeping a close eye on our other brown bear, 24-year-old Wellington, and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is working with the co-ordinator of the European breeding programme to explore the possibility of finding her some company.
 
I hope you are wrong! Hopefully the statement indicates they will be around for a while longer at least.
It would be a terrible shame if they are not there for many years to come!

I think the phrase "exploring the possibility" within the ZSL statement is telling. It's non-commitall on retaining the species long term.

ZSL have, for many years, sought to extensively renovate the bear enclosure but, for a variety of reasons, have been hampered in their efforts. Once the final bear dies, they'll have no obstacles remaining.

As I said earlier, I'd like the species to remain, but am not optimistic.
 
Visited yesterday - there is a crate in the red panda enclosure, Wellington seemed to be doing well and for the first time in forever we saw both of the wolverine!
 
Visited yesterday - there is a crate in the red panda enclosure, Wellington seemed to be doing well and for the first time in forever we saw both of the wolverine!

Unfortunately there is only the male wolverine remaining in there so you must've seen the same one twice!
 
Unfortunately there is only the male wolverine remaining in there so you must've seen the same one twice!

Now I thought that was the case initially but was convinced otherwise by my companion - I'll let him know I was right the first time! Thank you ;)
 
On the ZSL site:
"The brown bear enclosure is a surviving feature from the earliest days of the Zoo, so it is definitely time for improvement! The new development is currently underway and will be able to accommodate four bears once completed. The area will have new dens that will have a deep litter bed allowing the bears to hibernate as well as providing easier veterinary access to the animals. The outdoor area will benefit from re-landscaping with rocks and plants. There will also be new visitor viewing areas where talks will be held to improve visitors' experience of the bears."

https://www.zsl.org/support-us/leav...ll/maintaining-the-first-open-zoological-park

Looks hopeful for bears at Whipsnade!
 
I wholeheartedly approve of this statement! I was getting worried that the bear enclosure was going to be flattened for something less interesting... Good on ZSL for proving me wrong. :D
 
On the ZSL site:
"The brown bear enclosure is a surviving feature from the earliest days of the Zoo, so it is definitely time for improvement! The new development is currently underway and will be able to accommodate four bears once completed. The area will have new dens that will have a deep litter bed allowing the bears to hibernate as well as providing easier veterinary access to the animals. The outdoor area will benefit from re-landscaping with rocks and plants. There will also be new visitor viewing areas where talks will be held to improve visitors' experience of the bears."

https://www.zsl.org/support-us/leav...ll/maintaining-the-first-open-zoological-park

Looks hopeful for bears at Whipsnade!

Great news!!
 
Great news indeed, although I don't think the outdoors needs re-landscaping at all, it's already one of the prettiest in the UK.
I wonder if the old fence will stay?
 
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There's very little that could be done to the front of the enclosure as, I believe, Lady Yules Walk has some form of preservation order upon it. The same goes for some of the original railings (facing towards the penguins/Ouseley Pond).

Ideas in the past have centred around removing the "Bear Pit" appearance along the front, so maybe raise the level up or expand the exhibit back. There has also been (brief) talk of a suggested mixed exhibit involving wolves!
 
A Grevys zebra has been born, though no word yet on gender.

A female wolverine will shortly be arriving as a breeding partner for the resident male, Puff.

The female moose will be leaving for Longleat. Whipsnade will no longer continue with this species.
 
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