Was it Azizah that prevented them living as a single group for many years?(I don't know about the recent situation...)
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo Whipsnade Zoo 2018
- Thread starter Panthera1981
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Was it Azizah that prevented them living as a single group for many years?(I don't know about the recent situation...)
No, it’s the dynamic between Mya and Kaylee-both see themselves as matriarch. Azizah mixed freely between both groups.
I recall when Whipsnade's white rhino herd numbered twenty plus individuals so, with only five animals now, there is certainly scope to increase the number somewhat. It would be nice to augment the group with a few young animals and hopefully start breeding again.
I think the maximum was 22- twenty newly imported plus the two residents they already had.
Will this mean one of Mya/Kaylee will still have to be seperate, or is that more or less resolved nowadays?
Agreed; twenty white rhinos were imported in 1970 (they arrived on 5th August) and there were already two in the collection. However, I think subsequent births meant that the number rose above twenty-two for a while...
Aziza was already in very poor shape when I last saw her 3 years ago - she had severe arthritis in her front legs and abscesses in the hind feet. Its rather surprising that she made it into 2018. Poor girl, at least she is no longer in pain.
Regarding Mya and Kaylee: I have no up-to-date Informations about their relationship, but usually issues like these never resolve.
Regarding Mya and Kaylee: I have no up-to-date Informations about their relationship, but usually issues like these never resolve.
Absolutely, this is by far the most important thing.
The last 3 visits we've made (most recent being today) all the females plus Sam have been in together.
Stuart Sadler
Member
Centrebus have a new 200 service starting end of March; Luton station, Tesco Skimpot, Dunstable centre, Whipsnade zoo. 7 days a week.
Thanks for this; very helpful.
My preferred way to visit Whipsnade by public transport is to catch bus 35 from outside St. Albans railway station although, frustratingly, this bus service does not operate on Sunday; consequently, details of a bus that runs seven days a week are particularly welcome.
I have previously posted a link to the Bus 35 Timetable elsewhere on ZooChat but it might be useful to add it to the current Whipsnade thread too, so here it is:-
Bus 35 Timetable
Wasn't ThI at Chester relocated from London?
Yes, "Thi" at Chester was previously at London Zoo so it is not correct to say that "Mya" is the sole remaining elephant from the London group; however, "Thi" left London Zoo years before "Mya" so "Mya" is, indeed, the last London Zoo elephant.
Following changes to management and training methods, it has been decided to end the elephants daily walks around the zoo.
Those who have encountered the group walking around the park will, I'm sure, agree that it was always an unforgettable highlight of their day.
Those who have encountered the group walking around the park will, I'm sure, agree that it was always an unforgettable highlight of their day.
It'll be a shame not to see them on their walks, but am not surprised they are coming to an end. Open contact just isn't really the way elephants are managed now. The new house must be better set up for protected contact than the old one. I do wonder how or if it will affect the elephants, the walks through the grounds and onto the Downs must have been excellent enrichment for them. Will their paddock receive some more enrichment to compensate?
I'm sure a lot of visitors will miss this experience and I always noted the animals either grazing on the slopes or browsing on the trees (this would have save a penny or 2 from the food bill).
Is there an offiziell announcement from the zoo regarding the elephant walk?
I hope this means that they are finally ending the free contact in favor of protected contact. I have whitnessed really ugly, brutal bullhook use in Whipsnade under the free contact regimen. Not mentioning that these walks were dangerous for the staff and the visitors alike. And I guess most visitors had no idea how the calves were trained to keep them "manageable" during the walks...
I hope this means that they are finally ending the free contact in favor of protected contact. I have whitnessed really ugly, brutal bullhook use in Whipsnade under the free contact regimen. Not mentioning that these walks were dangerous for the staff and the visitors alike. And I guess most visitors had no idea how the calves were trained to keep them "manageable" during the walks...
Whipsnade’s last two remaining meerkats have been euthanised due to ongoing health issues. A new group will be introduced in the near future.