I couldn't help thinking anyway of the Male Lion Spike who is also no longer with all of us but he really is a brilliant male
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo ZSL Whipsnade Zoo 2021
- Thread starter Jedd Cullinan
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- europe uk zsl zsl whipsnade zoo
Heard when we visited today that Toto, one of the males, passed away last week, I don't know what from. His three siblings have been howling at times because he's not around.
The Hedgehog
Well-Known Member
In a weird sense the deaths of the African Lions could be positive. My reasoning is that Whipsnade will be able to house Asiatic Lion’s in the enclosure. Asiatic Lion’s are much more endangered than their African Cousins. There are now less than 5000 wild Asiatic Lions. These are only found in the Gir Forest. Any extra collections that house Asiatic Lion’s could be crucial to the survival of the species.
In this rare instance I think some captive born Animals should be introduced to a semi wild sanctuary in Asia. I fear that in my lifetime the Asiatic Lion will go the same way as the Dodo.
In this rare instance I think some captive born Animals should be introduced to a semi wild sanctuary in Asia. I fear that in my lifetime the Asiatic Lion will go the same way as the Dodo.
I understand your point but describing any animals death as 'positive' isn't right. There are keepers and visitors who really care about the animals that we see in zoos and it is an incredibly upsetting time whenever any animal passes away. Just because African lions may not be at as much risk of extinction as some other species doesn't mean that their lives had less value. Like I said, I do understand your point and I'd love to see Asiatic lions at Whipsnade as captive breeding is crucial for their survival given their incredibly limited home range and population but I think your choice of words was poor and could be seen as insensitive.
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What's the history with the current lion pride? Obviously Toto has just died and I believe Kachanga & Mashaka died in 2019(aged about 20yrs if I'm correct?) Are the pride all well represented bloodlines?
Never easy to lose an animal that you look after regardless of whether it's domestic or exotic.
Never easy to lose an animal that you look after regardless of whether it's domestic or exotic.
The founding members (Spike, Kachanga and Mashaka-Lila) I believe were ex West-Mids stock, though I can’t be 100% certain. Since their arrival, they had produced numerous litters over the years. The current cubs were the only ones that survived. It’s a shame that the zoo won’t use the female cub Kia as a new founder and retire the two remaining males off show. An missed opportunity when their father died IMO
I do remember when Spike (different male, shared name) and Dotty, the last Escarpment Dell lions, died there was a heated debate as to whether Whipsnade should continue exhibiting African lion due in part to the incredibly cluttered bloodlines. Maybe they’ll just house rescue stock in the future until someone can figure out the stud book.
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Much like the gorilla, okapi and Sumatran tiger, there are certain “Crown Jewel” species that I don’t think London will ever give up, irrespective of the fact that Whipsnade has the footprint to house them much better.
And let’s not forget that Lions of the Serengeti is one of the better lion exhibits in the UK.
According to ZSL’s recently published Annual Report, the Sulawesi macaques will be arriving in 2022.
AlexanderTHG
Well-Known Member
Following a visit yesterday:
- The new maribou house looks completed but the area is still fenced off with no animals back in yet.
- The old red river hog house has been demolished and foundations have been laid for a new house. Metal poles have also been added to the concrete at either side of the enclosure. I assume this is the start of some fencing.
- The two scimitar-horned Oryx (I think both male) that were housed by the entrance to 'passage through asia' have been moved in with the 8 opposite the hippos. There are now 10 in this habitat. Hopefully this might mean some baby oryx next year!
- There were also only 3 Gaur, whereas before I remember seeing 4.
- There were only three lions, all of which were apart from one another, possibly due to the recent loss.
- Finally, a Przewalski's Horse stallion was in one of the bongo hardstandings. Is this a new individual? There are already the three females in the asia section plus two males behind the oryx.
Any questions, feel free to ask
Also excited to hear about the macaques arriving!
- The new maribou house looks completed but the area is still fenced off with no animals back in yet.
- The old red river hog house has been demolished and foundations have been laid for a new house. Metal poles have also been added to the concrete at either side of the enclosure. I assume this is the start of some fencing.
- The two scimitar-horned Oryx (I think both male) that were housed by the entrance to 'passage through asia' have been moved in with the 8 opposite the hippos. There are now 10 in this habitat. Hopefully this might mean some baby oryx next year!
- There were also only 3 Gaur, whereas before I remember seeing 4.
- There were only three lions, all of which were apart from one another, possibly due to the recent loss.
- Finally, a Przewalski's Horse stallion was in one of the bongo hardstandings. Is this a new individual? There are already the three females in the asia section plus two males behind the oryx.
Any questions, feel free to ask
Also excited to hear about the macaques arriving!
AlexanderTHG
Well-Known Member
A couple of other things:
- The male wild boar was in the semi off-show enclosure behind/to the side of the brown bears.
- There were some soay sheep in the old bison house on bison hill that had access to a small part of the escarpment.
- The male wild boar was in the semi off-show enclosure behind/to the side of the brown bears.
- There were some soay sheep in the old bison house on bison hill that had access to a small part of the escarpment.
Have a look at this
Super video mate
Reptile House
Well-Known Member
Why are the macaques moving to Whipsinade? Is it because their current enclosure at London Zoo is too small? What will go in its place at London Zoo?
Just back from whispnade quite busy but good visit. The only news I found out was the meerkat exhibit is being expanded behind where it currently is , knocking down the wall so that’s it is the biggest meerkat exhibit in Europe!
Still couldn’t find the cheetahs or Cinderella the brown bear wasn’t to be seen. Columbo the sloth bear is barely coming out anymore because of arthritis according to her keeper , which is being monitored.
Still couldn’t find the cheetahs or Cinderella the brown bear wasn’t to be seen. Columbo the sloth bear is barely coming out anymore because of arthritis according to her keeper , which is being monitored.
If that’s what the old Red River Hog exhibit is being converted into then give me strength! What a monumentally uninspiring use of space for an area that could house something more substantial!
Why must any piece of news be met with frustration. What exactly is wrong with a larger meerkat enclosure? I cant wait to see it personally.
And yes i know, i fully expect the backlash to my comments but just accept something for what it is. The meerkat enclosure needed to be bigger, and thats great for the animals.
PLEASE keep any comments or disagrements to what i have said as nice as possible.
And yes i know, i fully expect the backlash to my comments but just accept something for what it is. The meerkat enclosure needed to be bigger, and thats great for the animals.
PLEASE keep any comments or disagrements to what i have said as nice as possible.
OK, I will be as nice as possible! There is no way expanding the meerkat exhibit into that vast (currently) empty space could ever be seen as a good thing!! Why not something else, bigger eg Ratel, a small African cat, African civet.... No, meerkats are easy - ZSL, no ambition whatsoever!! Sorry, as polite as I can manage