ZSL Whipsnade Zoo ZSL Whipsnade Zoo 2015

[oflory]

With currently only one Bison that could be in danger of happening again.

I don't think Orangs would suit Whipsnade at all either, neither its location nor the enclosure. London got rid of them for several reasons that keeping them again at Whipsnade wouldn't address. IMO they should go down the amalgamation/pure Chimp route.

Would it be possible to move the European bison over and use their paddock for something else? Maybe they wouldn't like the open hill?

 

[IanRRobinson]

Agree with you there. The trouble is without them they would be left with an empty purpose-built Aquatic building with the tier seats etc so really need to keep on with the shows at least unless they renovated it, closed it or pulled it all down.

I think you've missed the second half, Pertinax: renovate for penguins (for whom I think the pool is big enough) by putting in a new roof and knock out the internal wall separating the outdoor pool from the indoor one!

 

[IanRRobinson]

Would it be possible to move the European bison over and use their paddock for something else? Maybe they wouldn't like the open hill?

European Bison are woodland animals - I doubt if they would care for that open hill, or graze it as well. I simply don't see the issue in having a herd of American Bison. They can hardly cost anything apart from vets' bills.

Bison Hill is the local authority name. Why can't the zoo respect its heritage and get some more stock?

 

[Pertinax]

I think you've missed the second half, Pertinax: renovate for penguins (for whom I think the pool is big enough) by putting in a new roof and knock out the internal wall separating the outdoor pool from the indoor one!

No, I didn't miss it but I did rather overlook it as an option. Its probably the best usage they could make of it perhaps apart from demolition, though I don't know if they could take away the seating as well to make it all more open. But I think the existing Penguin display on the exposed site is probably better than this option anyway?

 

[Pertinax]

Bison Hill is the local authority name. Why can't the zoo respect its heritage and get some more stock?

Hopefully they will though in the meantime the single one has to exist on his(?) own. Similar to the Nilgai and Blackbuck which dwindled away almost to nothing(Blackbuck=1) and then there was a considerable time gap before any new stock were obtained. Sometimes time delays are inevitable- but sometimes they are overlong.

 

[Panthera1981]

I don't think anyone could accuse me of being anything other than a loyal fanboy of ZSL but the criticism here is pretty much justified, I feel. Whipsnade has the potential to be so much more than it currently is!

The sheer amount of empty space, not just on the downs but even in the centre of the zoo, just looks unimaginative, lazy and boring. And the sea lions NEED somewhere better. I felt a bit embarrassed as a Fellow showing my girlfriend their tank last time I was there (c. October)

And I say this as someone who loves Whipsnade, one of my favourite zoos behind London and who wants to see it as the best it can be.

Ive had trouble trying to cohesively word my opinions on Whipsnade for fear of waffling. However, this statement sums up my views perfectly! Those who know me (you know who you are!) will know my commitment to the place. My views are born out of frustration, and perhaps anger, at how Whipsnade is continually regarded by some (all?) of those in power at the ZSL.

What I would add is that Whipsnade certainly needs to improve it's catering facilities. There were numerous times in peak season where both the Wild Bite and Lookout simply could not cope with the volume of visitors. This will only be exacerbated if the zoo continues improving it's visitor numbers. The Lookout is grossly underused. With an unspoilt vista, extend the building (over the old Polar bear pit?) and improve the parking up there and you've got a perfect indoor dining experience!

And Ian, I think you mentioned the Gentoos in your penguin proposal-they became fox-food years ago!

 

[ajmcwhipsnade]

Stu, ZSL had a world-class small mammal house at London. Then they smashed it up to put in a not-very-big rainforest exhibit.


Sorry, ajmc, but it grates to be accused of negativity. I note from your avatar that you're a Spurs fan. Would you like it to be told that you ought to accept that Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City were always going to be more successful and you should just like being in the top half of the table with occasional cup semi-finals?

As a spurs fan I have committed to a lifetime of disappointment and false dawns! However I will agree that the Small Mammal house at London Zoo was better in its previous guise, but I do remember the Tamarins for example being in quite small enclosures. I also remember a moat or something inbetween the glass cages and where you walked?

Would it be possible to agree to disagree? I know everyone's points are from the view point that we all want the best for Whipsnade, and it is quite obvious that the park has a special place in a lot of zoo followers.

I just like having a site that is dedicated to Zoo's as any talk about stuff like this with friends has them glaze over!