ZSL Whipsnade Zoo ZSL Whipsnade Zoo 2019

Got a good hour and a bit up at the Zoo in-between two heavy showers! Things of note were a whole set of new signs on the enclosures. Much larger and clearer. For example clear new signs for White Rhino, Sitatunga, Gemsbok and Blesbok on the Rhino Paddock.

The Ostrich pair are now in the old Moose enclosure whilst there was a lone Zebra in the old Musk-Ok enclosure (assuming its being moved on). There was a Blesbok in with the Impala paddock beside the Cheetahs.

The Lego exhibition is good, but definitely more for children! Small signs of work on what I assume will be the Aquarium, but summer does seem a tad optimistic!
Saw a new impala sign with a photo of a springbok on it and a Pere David sign with a photo of a red deer . Seriously how hard does it have to be? Take a picture of the animal in front of your face and print it. My 8 year old could do it

ona happier note the blesbok is a male which was previously in the little yard at the entrance to passage thru asia. he has moved to allow a new female to be put there.

roan and kudu all gone now. the antelope collection is now as weak as it ever has been. by my count that only leaves scimitar oryx, sitatunga, nilgai, blackbuck, gemsbok, bongo. only the two oryx species sre breeding. very sad.
 
Saw a new impala sign with a photo of a springbok on it and a Pere David sign with a photo of a red deer . Seriously how hard does it have to be? Take a picture of the animal in front of your face and print it. My 8 year old could do it

ona happier note the blesbok is a male which was previously in the little yard at the entrance to passage thru asia. he has moved to allow a new female to be put there.

roan and kudu all gone now. the antelope collection is now as weak as it ever has been. by my count that only leaves scimitar oryx, sitatunga, nilgai, blackbuck, gemsbok, bongo. only the two oryx species sre breeding. very sad.
There are still 2 female kudu saw them a few weeks ago
 
Briefly visited today and, other than seeing the rather odd use of the paddocks (zebra next to bison/oryx next to Asian rhino!!!) I am highly dubious that, despite widespread advertising, the new aquarium will not be ready this summer-I saw no physical ground broken around the Cloisters building other than a pair of closed curtains!
 
Briefly visited today and, other than seeing the rather odd use of the paddocks (zebra next to bison/oryx next to Asian rhino!!!) I am highly dubious that, despite widespread advertising, the new aquarium will not be ready this summer-I saw no physical ground broken around the Cloisters building other than a pair of closed curtains!
Would you not think that is because it’s inside the building with no changes needed to the outside?
 
Would you not think that is because it’s inside the building with no changes needed to the outside?

I would be suprised/disappointed if that were true.

The actual floor space of that part of the Cloisters is rather small. If the zoo say they want to make a big statement with the Aquarium they would have to physically push the structure "out" much like they did with the Butterfly house. Otherwise, I fear we'll be looking at small, self contained exhibits with restricted mobilty for visitors. Plus, some form of water treatment facilty would also need to be built as well I'd imagine. I saw no signs of this either.
 
I would be suprised/disappointed if that were true.

The actual floor space of that part of the Cloisters is rather small. If the zoo say they want to make a big statement with the Aquarium they would have to physically push the structure "out" much like they did with the Butterfly house. Otherwise, I fear we'll be looking at small, self contained exhibits with restricted mobilty for visitors. Plus, some form of water treatment facilty would also need to be built as well I'd imagine. I saw no signs of this either.

I suspect they will remove most of the internal walls and create effectively quite a large space. Remember too that bigger isnt necessarily better. Quality is far more important.
 
I suspect they will remove most of the internal walls and create effectively quite a large space. Remember too that bigger isn't necessarily better. Quality is far more important.

That's a fair point, but they're going to need considerable space to meet their stated aims......

I’ve been told in an email that the large majority of the aquariums inhabitants will remain at ZSL either in London or Whipsnade plus there will be space made for them in BUGS apparently
 
A fund raising email did say earlier this year.

The new aquarium opening at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo this summer will showcase 26 species of freshwater fish in different habitats. Visitors will discover how keepers and scientists at ZSL are helping to save the most endangered fish from extinction, through projects such as Fish Net.
 
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