ZSL Whipsnade Zoo ZSL Whipsnade Zoo 2019

Tim May said:
The ZSL Animal Inventory for 2011 lists eleven red jungle fowl in Whipsnade's collection as at 1st January 2011; none are listed in the 2012 or subsequent animal inventories.
Click to expand...
Seems a shame they have been discontinued, as they are a good fit with so many of the iconic Asian species (Elephant, Gaur, Rhino) in the park. Also they had I believe, been there since the beginning and are worth having in their own right. Paignton too no longer have RJF after many years of free ranging.
 
FBBird said:
Seems a shame they have been discontinued, as they are a good fit with so many of the iconic Asian species (Elephant, Gaur, Rhino) in the park. Also they had I believe, been there since the beginning and are worth having in their own right. Paignton too no longer have RJF after many years of free ranging.
Click to expand...

I used to enjoy seeing them scratching around near some of the older ungulate houses, attracted by the wheatstraw chaff etc.
 
The mysterious aquarium intrigues me, especially as there doesn't seem to be any planning application lodged with the Central Bedfordshire council. Does anyone know where it's supposed to be? There is some building work going on beside the water treatment plant, so maybe that's it?
 
SMR said:
The mysterious aquarium intrigues me, especially as there doesn't seem to be any planning application lodged with the Central Bedfordshire council. Does anyone know where it's supposed to be? There is some building work going on beside the water treatment plant, so maybe that's it?
Click to expand...
I don't think it needs planning permission because it is in an existing building adjoining the butterfly house.
It is happening, fellows/members were asked for a donation!
 
SMR said:
The mysterious aquarium intrigues me, especially as there doesn't seem to be any planning application lodged with the Central Bedfordshire council. Does anyone know where it's supposed to be? There is some building work going on beside the water treatment plant, so maybe that's it?
Click to expand...
A keeper told me late July should be done
 
pipaluk said:
It is happening, fellows/members were asked for a donation!
Click to expand...
The mean, cynical side of my nature reckons that the undoubted truth of the second statement is not quite an absolute guarantee for the truth of the first statement.
robert everett said:
A keeper told me late July should be done
Click to expand...
Allowing for a margin of error in July and school holidays in August, should I consider planning a visit for mid-September? ;)
 
gentle lemur said:
The mean, cynical side of my nature reckons that the undoubted truth of the second statement is not quite an absolute guarantee for the truth of the first statement.

Allowing for a margin of error in July and school holidays in August, should I consider planning a visit for mid-September? ;)
Click to expand...
Will definitely be done by October as that’s when the London aquarium closes haha
 
The problem with building the Aquarium is the zoo’s archaic plumbing system and the geology of the site in general. I remember a keeper once saying it would cost significant funds to even get a sufficient filtration system in place. I’m no expert but are freshwater species more cost-effective than saltwater?

July seems highly optimistic-maybe ZSL poached some of the PR team from Crossrail!

(Actually I wouldn’t be surprised given ZSL’s current communications output!)
 
The very reason they should tear the entire structure down before it implodes on itself! But perhaps the latter is cheaper and preferable to Listed Building
status!
 
Panthera1981 said:
. . . . are freshwater species more cost-effective than saltwater?
Click to expand...
Considerably cheaper because they need less equipment for filtration and lighting, they are generally much more tolerant of fluctuating conditions and you don't need to buy any salt :)
 
SMR said:
Ah, that helps, thank you. Of course, now I'm wondering what's happening next to the treatment works...
Click to expand...
A new sewage treatment works, according to the volunteer we asked on Friday, apparently required as a result of increased visitor numbers.
 
Can any list the individuals, ages and any relatedness of Whipsnade's current giraffe group?
 
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!
 
Forgot to mention there was work going on in the paddock that has held Emu and Hog Deer. Not sure what it was for though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top