ZSL Whipsnade Zoo ZSL Whipsnade Zoo 2015

This weekend is Whipsnade's 'Elephantastic' weekend, which includes excellent tours of the elephant barns if anyone is planning a trip there tomorrow. Also learnt they are planning on adding more elephants to the collection next year, presumably once the new barns are completed.

Behan and her new calf were out on the hardstanding today, so good to see a new calf for the GOH

No sign of the Thommies.

Does anyone know if there are any plans for the wolves/wolf enclosure? The current pack must be getting on a bit and sure they haven't bred for many, many years.
 
Crowthorne said:
This weekend is Whipsnade's 'Elephantastic' weekend, which includes excellent tours of the elephant barns if anyone is planning a trip there tomorrow. Also learnt they are planning on adding more elephants to the collection next year, presumably once the new barns are completed.

Behan and her new calf were out on the hardstanding today, so good to see a new calf for the GOH

No sign of the Thommies.

Does anyone know if there are any plans for the wolves/wolf enclosure? The current pack must be getting on a bit and sure they haven't bred for many, many years.
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VERY interesting regarding new ele additions! Where would they source new cows from?

The Thommies won't have full access to the Bongo paddock until maintainence has been done on the fencing-currently a lengthy Works backlog.

With regards the wolves, I think they're now down to 3. The plan is to let them die out and then see what happens, whether that be add a new pack or introduce African hunting dog (which was the original plan).
 
Panthera1981 said:
VERY interesting regarding new ele additions! Where would they source new cows from?

The Thommies won't have full access to the Bongo paddock until maintainence has been done on the fencing-currently a lengthy Works backlog.

With regards the wolves, I think they're now down to 3. The plan is to let them die out and then see what happens, whether that be add a new pack or introduce African hunting dog (which was the original plan).
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Thanks for the info on the wolves and Thommies Panthera! Only saw three wolves today, but they were very showy and active. It would be a shame to lose wolves completely from Whipsnade, they were always my favourite animals there when I was younger. They used to be one of the 'in' species that were everywhere, but seem to be on the wane at present

There was no mention of a source for the new eles, but does make you wonder! Some new cows definitely, and maybe a new bull to balance all the boys Emmett keeps fathering? Apparently George was meant to leave this year, but the collection taking him suddenly changed plans so he is stuck until a new home can be found. (All ele info gleaned from the elephant barn tour today)
 
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Crowthorne said:
There was no mention of a source for the new eles, but does make you wonder! Some new cows definitely, and maybe a new bull to balance all the boys Emmett keeps fathering?
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Definitely not my area of expertise, but won't adding new cows in all likelyhood increase the problems Whipsnade has with herd dynamics?
Maybe they are hoping to somehow create two stable groups, rather than one splintered one.
 
FunkyGibbon said:
Definitely not my area of expertise, but won't adding new cows in all likelyhood increase the problems Whipsnade has with herd dynamics?
Maybe they are hoping to somehow create two stable groups, rather than one splintered one.
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Unless the plan involves transferring Mya of course!

The new barn development is designed to take into account the group's breeding success but, as I've queried before, with only 2/3 breeding cows new blood would make sense. Also raises the issue of future walkabouts-could the zoo continue with this if they brought in new, unfamiliar stock.
 
FunkyGibbon said:
Definitely not my area of expertise, but won't adding new cows in all likelyhood increase the problems Whipsnade has with herd dynamics?
Maybe they are hoping to somehow create two stable groups, rather than one splintered one.
Click to expand...

During the talk the keeper did indicate that they had another few acres of off-show elephant paddocks behind a screen of trees, so adding another herd might be possible.
 
George has been a great comfort to his mum karishma since the death of max so that's why he is staying currently, but another bull and one or two more females would be a excellent addition to the herd as Donna isn't far off from breeding age , and then their is only karishma, and maybe azzizah and maybe Kaylee but she hasn't bread since 09 and Donna.
The other option is a male balchalor group for young males since whipsnade has George, Scott and Sam X
 
Visited whipsnade today , lovely sunny day saw most of the animals. Bailey and Oscar didn't perform in the show today as needed bonding time according to their keeper , the butterfly house was semi closed as seagulls had peacked a hole in the roof of the butterfly house roof, so it was being repaired and strengthened so doesn't happen again.
Only disappointment was the elephants only Donna,George Scott and Kaylee on show with emette couldn't see the others even though visited 5x so unsure what was going on. Also was amazed that hippo flora is still around and looking ok despite her face cancer :) baby Bali Is also very adorable :) any questions feel free to ask?
 
Rosie183 said:
George has been a great comfort to his mum karishma since the death of max so that's why he is staying currently, but another bull and one or two more females would be a excellent addition to the herd as Donna isn't far off from breeding age , and then their is only karishma, and maybe azzizah and maybe Kaylee but she hasn't bread since 09 and Donna.
The other option is a male balchalor group for young males since whipsnade has George, Scott and Sam X
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is luca not of breeding age anymore ? i assume zsl arent going to try and have twycrosses eles off them
 
Yes born tigers were on display the female had access to the main section with the male tiger preferring to be closer to his inside cage lazing in the sun X
 
I always thought Luca had one still born calf, which caused reproductive problem so the keepers have kept her as a maternal Aunty rather than mother
 
Yes we took the car into whipsnade and drove through a passage through Asia and so yes did see quite a herd of Thomson gazelles I do believe :) X
 
Rosie183 said:
I always thought Luca had one still born calf, which caused reproductive problem so the keepers have kept her as a maternal Aunty rather than mother
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Correct, though the calf was never stillborn-the foetus never fully developed. Complications were as such that the decision was made not to operate, and it remains within her. Thus, Lucha will always be "Auntie."
 
The zebra stables are currently being redeveloped. Improvements include enhanced visitor viewing and an off-show vetinary facility.
 
The last 3 remaining Grey wolves have been regretably euthananized due to age-related health issues.

This means Whipsnade no longer holds wolves.
 
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