ZSL Whipsnade Zoo ZSL Whipsnade Zoo 2021

[ajmcwhipsnade]

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

I understand you dont see it as a good thing, but i do? is that not allowed?

Also just because they are simply 'meerkats' does not mean they dont deserve a nice large enclosure? Animals always come first, any species is allowed as large a space as given

 

[pipaluk]

I understand you dont see it as a good thing, but i do? is that not allowed?

Also just because they are simply 'meerkats' does not mean they dont deserve a nice large enclosure? Animals always come first, any species is allowed as large a space as given

I didn't say you weren't allowed your opinion! You asked for others, and I was polite! I don't see the need for a ridiculously big meerkat exhibit, I've seen them at Combe Martin and Cologne, pointless from both visitor and animal Point of view, what a waste of space!!

 

[ajmcwhipsnade]

I didn't say you weren't allowed your opinion! You asked for others, and I was polite! I don't see the need for a ridiculously big meerkat exhibit, I've seen them at Combe Martin and Cologne, pointless from both visitor and animal Point of view, what a waste of space!!

Its hardly pointless! I hate this idea that because an animal is 'boring' or 'common' that it doesnt deserve a new enclosure. How can it be pointless for the animals? Just because its a meerkat does not mean it does not deserve a large enclosure.

 

[pipaluk]

Its hardly pointless! I hate this idea that because an animal is 'boring' or 'common' that it doesnt deserve a new enclosure. How can it be pointless for the animals? Just because its a meerkat does not mean it does not deserve a large enclosure.

Why does Whipsnade have to have meerkat at all?

 

[ajmcwhipsnade]

Why does Whipsnade have to have meerkat at all?

Why shouldnt they?

 

[Panthera1981]

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

Hard to argue against Ratel but…aardvark, aardwolf, bat-eared fox, or Serval (which were originally planned to arrive instead of the meerkat years ago but that’s another story). The possibilities are endless!

The fact of the matter is that meerkat (afaik) are NOT a conservation-dependent species. They are a ten-a-penny species that can be found in nearly all collections (and beyond) that breed like rabbits and appeal to the lowest common denominator. And that’s the problem. Meerkats equals Money. It’s not the animal’s fault at all, but it does demonstrate a clear lack of ambition on the part of ZSL.

Potentially having “Europe’s biggest meerkat exhibit” is a nothing statement to me, much like the ZSL press office continually saying “Whipsnade is the UK’s biggest zoo.” That would imply to the average visitor you’re the best. Sorry, you’re not. I hate to say it because I love the place, but (irrespective of the pandemic) in the last decade, other collections have superseded the ZSL in scope and ambition. The ZSL sites have lost an Aquarium, a Reptile House, sealions, wolves, bison to name a few because they played the fiddle whilst Rome burnt. Whipsnade still operates on 1930’s plumbing and piping for heaven’s sake!

 

[pipaluk]

Why shouldnt they?

I think you need to answer my question with an answer instead of another question!! You knew your agreement to the massive meerkat enclosure was controversial asked people to be polite.... I have been up to now. Put Dwarf Mongoose in the current meerkat exhibit, meerkat next to the white faced saki and put something exciting in the old red river hog enclosure please!!!!

 

[ajmcwhipsnade]

Hard to argue against Ratel but…aardvark, aardwolf, bat-eared fox, or Serval (which were originally planned to arrive instead of the meerkat years ago but that’s another story). The possibilities are endless!

The fact of the matter is that meerkat (afaik) are NOT a conservation-dependent species. They are a ten-a-penny species that can be found in nearly all collections (and beyond) that breed like rabbits and appeal to the lowest common denominator. And that’s the problem. Meerkats equals Money. It’s not the animal’s fault at all, but it does demonstrate a clear lack of ambition on the part of ZSL.

Potentially having “Europe’s biggest meerkat exhibit” is a nothing statement to me, much like the ZSL press office continually saying “Whipsnade is the UK’s biggest zoo.” That would imply to the average visitor you’re the best. Sorry, you’re not. I hate to say it because I love the place, but (irrespective of the pandemic) in the last decade, other collections have superseded the ZSL in scope and ambition. The ZSL sites have lost an Aquarium, a Reptile House, sealions, wolves, bison to name a few because they played the fiddle whilst Rome burnt. Whipsnade still operates on 1930’s plumbing and piping for heaven’s sake!

Its a shame that you have these views on the Zoo. I dont think it shows a lack of ambition at all, the fact is the meerkats will have a larger enclosure and that is how it is.

I personally still consider Whipsnade (and london) as two of the very best collections in the UK. Both are excellent zoos and yes i have been to chester which i believe everyone considers the very best.

 

[FBBird]

Hard to argue against Ratel but…aardvark, aardwolf, bat-eared fox, or Serval (which were originally planned to arrive instead of the meerkat years ago but that’s another story). The possibilities are endless!

The fact of the matter is that meerkat (afaik) are NOT a conservation-dependent species. They are a ten-a-penny species that can be found in nearly all collections (and beyond) that breed like rabbits and appeal to the lowest common denominator. And that’s the problem. Meerkats equals Money. It’s not the animal’s fault at all, but it does demonstrate a clear lack of ambition on the part of ZSL.

Potentially having “Europe’s biggest meerkat exhibit” is a nothing statement to me, much like the ZSL press office continually saying “Whipsnade is the UK’s biggest zoo.” That would imply to the average visitor you’re the best. Sorry, you’re not. I hate to say it because I love the place, but (irrespective of the pandemic) in the last decade, other collections have superseded the ZSL in scope and ambition. The ZSL sites have lost an Aquarium, a Reptile House, sealions, wolves, bison to name a few because they played the fiddle whilst Rome burnt. Whipsnade still operates on 1930’s plumbing and piping for heaven’s sake!

You can of course keep Bat-eared Foxes with Meerkats….

 

[ajmcwhipsnade]

I think you need to answer my question with an answer instead of another question!! You knew your agreement to the massive meerkat enclosure was controversial asked people to be polite.... I have been up to now. Put Dwarf Mongoose in the current meerkat exhibit, meerkat next to the white faced saki and put something exciting in the old red river hog enclosure please!!!!

Well i did answer your question? There is absolutley no reason Whipsnade should not have meerkats. These animals need to be looked after if they are endangered or not.

The space next to the sakis i dont think is any better then what they have now

 

[pipaluk]

You can of course keep Bat-eared Foxes with Meerkats….

ZSL wouldn't dream of anything that ambitious!!

 

[Bengal Tiger]

Honestly, if they kept something with the meerkats (like @FBBird mentioned) then I think it would be perfectly fine. Either way, meerkats are a nice species, so as I like to sometimes say; why not?

 

[pipaluk]

Well i did answer your question? There is absolutley no reason Whipsnade should not have meerkats. These animals need to be looked after if they are endangered or not.

The space next to the sakis i dont think is any better then what they have now

Do the 2 they have left need anything better? Phase them out I say, not bring more in! Leave meerkats to the farm parks

 

[Bengal Tiger]

Do the 2 they have left need anything better? Phase them out I say, not bring more in! Leave meerkats to the farm parks

Meerkats are a nice species for zoos to have, visitors like them as well, so zoos can draw people to certain areas with meerkats. Any animal should be welcome in a zoo.

 

[ajmcwhipsnade]

Do the 2 they have left need anything better? Phase them out I say, not bring more in! Leave meerkats to the farm parks

Leave them to the farm parks? Thats a really shallow thing to say. I have long had this idea that people on this site are only interested in 'ticking' off animals on a list. I am afraid it does not matter if you do or dont like meerkats, any animal or species is deserving of a nice big enclosure.

 

[pipaluk]

Leave them to the farm parks? Thats a really shallow thing to say. I have long had this idea that people on this site are only interested in 'ticking' off animals on a list. I am afraid it does not matter if you do or dont like meerkats, any animal or species is deserving of a nice big enclosure.

No comment!!

 

[Panthera1981]

Let’s get one thing perfectly clear here:

My argument is not with “The Zoo.” It is with those of certain mind and ambition that operate and run ZSL, and have done so for many years. Gerald Durrell figured them out years ago, and attitudes haven’t changed. It is a holier-than-thou/head-in-sand attitude that has led to these types of infrastructure problems (notably at London) accumulating over the years. Anyone of sound mind would’ve have told you the RP Aquarium needed significant investment 30 years ago at least! And even if the Mappins never reopens it’ll still need significant investment to stay structurally sound. The Snowdon project was also touch-and-go at one point.

Whipsnade doesn’t have to worry about London fees, and less so with Listing. You could fit the entirety of the RP site into the White rhino paddock. Yet the zoo sits on a QUARTER of the land ZSL owns. It’s potential has NEVER been fully realised. It should be truly fantastic, on-par with some of the best collections in the world. Yet species go, and are never replaced. Paddocks are left to fester. Basic infrastructure is neglected.

I’ve said it before in many threads over the years: I truly believe ZSL simply do not know what to do with Whipsnade. London is the prestige site and, until attitudes change, Whipsnade will always be the Bridesmaid.

 

[scottie31]

Let’s get one thing perfectly clear here:

My argument is not with “The Zoo.” It is with those of certain mind and ambition that operate and run ZSL, and have done so for many years. Gerald Durrell figured them out years ago, and attitudes haven’t changed. It is a holier-than-thou/head-in-sand attitude that has led to these types of infrastructure problems (notably at London) accumulating over the years. Anyone of sound mind would’ve have told you the RP Aquarium needed significant investment 30 years ago at least! And even if the Mappins never reopens it’ll still need significant investment to stay structurally sound. The Snowdon project was also touch-and-go at one point.

Whipsnade doesn’t have to worry about London fees, and less so with Listing. You could fit the entirety of the RP site into the White rhino paddock. Yet the zoo sits on a QUARTER of the land ZSL owns. It’s potential has NEVER been fully realised. It should be truly fantastic, on-par with some of the best collections in the world. Yet species go, and are never replaced. Paddocks are left to fester. Basic infrastructure is neglected.

I’ve said it before in many threads over the years: I truly believe ZSL simply do not know what to do with Whipsnade. London is the prestige site and, until attitudes change, Whipsnade will always be the Bridesmaid.

Personally, I think it’s perfectly reasonable to agree with all the things you describe in this post, AND to think that an updated Meerkat enclosure can be a good addition to Whipsnade. It doesn’t have to be one or the other.

 

[Maguari]

Why does Whipsnade have to have meerkat at all?

They don't have to keep any animal species. Meerkats are easy to keep and popular with the public (and maybe they have plans to run paid-for encounters in a larger enclosure, which are proven money-spinners elsewhere). Yes, it'd be nice for us nerds (and perhaps a more direct conservation benefit) to see something else instead or alongside them (mixed or otherwise) but I really don't think it's a mystery why a zoo wants to keep them, and if it's going to it should keep them well.

The previous meerkat enclosure was pretty rubbish to be fair so a replacement is no bad thing and, to be honest, that space behind it has been effectively unused for years now bar the occasional temporary holding, so putting it to at least some proper use will also start to address the 'empty enclosure syndrome' that is creeping in in parts.

So yes - would it be my personal first choice? No. Am I upset that they're doing it? Not really.

The thing to avoid will be the issue at its relative neighbour Woburn - if you're going to build a massive meerkat enclosure, make sure you have plenty of meerkats..!

 

[pipaluk]

They don't have to keep any animal species. Meerkats are easy to keep and popular with the public (and maybe they have plans to run paid-for encounters in a larger enclosure, which are proven money-spinners elsewhere). Yes, it'd be nice for us nerds (and perhaps a more direct conservation benefit) to see something else instead or alongside them (mixed or otherwise) but I really don't think it's a mystery why a zoo wants to keep them, and if it's going to it should keep them well.

The previous meerkat enclosure was pretty rubbish to be fair so a replacement is no bad thing and, to be honest, that space behind it has been effectively unused for years now bar the occasional temporary holding, so putting it to at least some proper use will also start to address the 'empty enclosure syndrome' that is creeping in in parts.

So yes - would it be my personal first choice? No. Am I upset that they're doing it? Not really.

The thing to avoid will be the issue at its relative neighbour Woburn - if you're going to build a massive meerkat enclosure, make sure you have plenty of meerkats..!

I accept your point to an extent and don't necessarily want to see them get rid of the meerkats, I know they are popular (like the bloody dinosaurs!). I don't want to see empty enclosures but just think they could be put to better use that's all. I don't see the need for vast exhibits being built for meerkats at unnecessary expense.
At one point London and Marwell have had 4 plus Meerkat enclosures and Paradise WP had 3 last time I was there a year or so ago, I'm sure even those who love meerkats would see that as overkill.