The cow you’re referring to is Lucha.
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo ZSL Whipsnade Zoo News 2022
- Thread starter Lafone
- Start date
The cow you’re referring to is Lucha.
That’s Lucha. The calf died 2002, so 20 years ago!
Im glad Karishma hasn’t suffered the same fate.
It's Lucha, and unfortunately this is the reason she has not been able to fall pregnant since; she's been carrying the calf for two decades! The calf died in the later stages of pregnancy, and she hasn't been able to pass the fetus.
The Hedgehog
Well-Known Member
@Rajang-GOAT I think your talking about Lucha. Lucha has a fetus that has been in her,since 2002. If your talking about more recent years it could be Karishma. Karishma had a dead fetus in her for about 3/4 years.
@Rosie183 do you know when Karishma finally gave birth to the fetus? I’m happily surprised that Karishma’s fetus is gone. Karishma must hold the world record for the longest an Elephant has carried a dead fetus. Hopefully the passing of the fetus,means that Karishma can be another breeding Cowe for Whipsnade. If this is so,Whipsnade are in a brilliant position. Too have 3 Young Breeding Females is optimal.
@Rosie183 do you know when Karishma finally gave birth to the fetus? I’m happily surprised that Karishma’s fetus is gone. Karishma must hold the world record for the longest an Elephant has carried a dead fetus. Hopefully the passing of the fetus,means that Karishma can be another breeding Cowe for Whipsnade. If this is so,Whipsnade are in a brilliant position. Too have 3 Young Breeding Females is optimal.
He’s talking about Lucha. See the four previous posts - especially the one just before yours.
There are examples where elephants have carried a fetus for much longer - namely Lucha; but considering multiple cows with a retained fetus have passed it around the 12-18 month mark, four years is comparatively lengthy.
I agree it’s good Whipsnade will now have three young females to contribute to the succession of their herd. Karishma would have been a big loss to the breeding programme.
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@Rosie183 got the info in April, so obviously it was sometime last year or earlier this year.
Karishma comes from a rather well represented line (and already has multiple offspring), so although if she hadn't passed the fetus, it wouldn't be.. terrible news. Conversely though, without her, Whipsnade only has two breeding females, one of whom is not of breeding age yet, so Whipsnade would much appreciate having another female to help expand their herd.
The Hedgehog
Well-Known Member
@Jambo do you categorise it as fantastic news that Karishma has passed the fetus? @Zoofan15 when I said Karishma must hold the World Record for a retained Fetus, I meant to pass one. I cannot think of another Elephant Cowe Asian or African that has retained a fetus for so long before passing it. Lucha doesn’t count as the fetus is still in her.
It's great news of course, as it'll enable Karishma to further contribute to the breeding program at Whipsnade.
What I was saying though, was that if Karishma didn't pass the fetus, it wouldn't be a real disappointment in my eyes. As i've previously stated, she comes from a well represented line and already has multiple living calves.
Which isn't quite the same as saying she definately has...
On the maternal side Karishma doesn't come from a well represented line either- her mother- either Tonzi or Minbu ex Twycross (can't remember which), has no other offspring.
How many living calves does Karishma actually have?
Karishma has two living offspring:
1.0 George (2010)
0.1 Elizabeth (2016)
Personally, I hope she’s passed the fetus and resumed cycling. She offers a contingency if Elizabeth in unable to contribute to the succession of her line.
Given Karishma is still a relatively young cow (25 years), she and Elizabeth could potentially have a decade of breeding alongside each other in a best case scenario. Either way, she will be a valuable role model and source of support to both Donna and Elizabeth.
There are interesting links with Blackpool Zoo here. Donna and Elizabeth' s father Emmett was transferred to Blackpool a couple of years ago now, to join the ex-Twycross group of females which includes Karishma's half-sister Tara, who is exactly the same age but has not had any calves to date....so far no pregnancies have been mentioned at Blackpool Zoo.
Cape porcupines according to the signs.
Visiting today we could see at least one additional meercat being introduced to the existing two meercats in the new meercat house. They are currently separated by a wire mesh panel dividing the house in two so they can see and smell each other.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Was also up at Whipsnade on a day off today and some good animal activity particularly between 4-6pm when most people have moved on.
The new meerkat / aardvark / porcupine enclosure is impressive and will look even better when it grows out a bit. Was interested to see the new meerkat arrivals and thought there were two to add though it’s not always easy to see. Although a group are hard to add to I thought they might try to add more as only having a couple in a place that size (who aren’t breeding yet) does seem a bit of a waste. Good to see that coming along.
Aardvarks were dozing but at least you can see them in the new house so that was good.
As AlexanderTHg noted the tiger enclosure cutting back is really drastic and has removed the shady / sheltered places entirely the tigers would often be in in the sun and the rain. The tigers were in the house every time I went past and would have been outside before sleeping etc. With the current weather killing everything off the enclosure looks really sparse. Not a great look but the trees were a bit of a risk for the wind and I guess it will grow out. On the bright side they finally updated the tiger signs after Dmitri’s departure and now have photos / details about the other tigers as adults.
Some new trees were being planted in the isolated zebra paddock.
The new fun park area has wooden fencing all the way round so a lot less garden centre gone bust.
One slightly strange new feature is a load of tall willow weave sort of fencing strapped on to just over half of the bear enclosure fence with plastic ties - it’s all covered at both ends and there is a big chunk in the middle. Photo attached.
Although you can see through the weave with a squint it does interrupt the view.
The last time I was there the bear Cinderella was active at the edge of the enclosure below where the new fence is, bashing the floor with rocks. She was using a rock in a digging motion, you can clearly see a pale part of the surface where she’s been busy. A lot of people were hanging over her. I wonder if the keepers thought that was upsetting her so put the fence in to prevent the public over hang. It does look ugly though and slightly spoils the shape of the fence line and the views of the bear paddock. Let’s hope they keep it in better condition than the same stuff around the old Dino area.
The new meerkat / aardvark / porcupine enclosure is impressive and will look even better when it grows out a bit. Was interested to see the new meerkat arrivals and thought there were two to add though it’s not always easy to see. Although a group are hard to add to I thought they might try to add more as only having a couple in a place that size (who aren’t breeding yet) does seem a bit of a waste. Good to see that coming along.
Aardvarks were dozing but at least you can see them in the new house so that was good.
As AlexanderTHg noted the tiger enclosure cutting back is really drastic and has removed the shady / sheltered places entirely the tigers would often be in in the sun and the rain. The tigers were in the house every time I went past and would have been outside before sleeping etc. With the current weather killing everything off the enclosure looks really sparse. Not a great look but the trees were a bit of a risk for the wind and I guess it will grow out. On the bright side they finally updated the tiger signs after Dmitri’s departure and now have photos / details about the other tigers as adults.
Some new trees were being planted in the isolated zebra paddock.
The new fun park area has wooden fencing all the way round so a lot less garden centre gone bust.
One slightly strange new feature is a load of tall willow weave sort of fencing strapped on to just over half of the bear enclosure fence with plastic ties - it’s all covered at both ends and there is a big chunk in the middle. Photo attached.
Although you can see through the weave with a squint it does interrupt the view.
The last time I was there the bear Cinderella was active at the edge of the enclosure below where the new fence is, bashing the floor with rocks. She was using a rock in a digging motion, you can clearly see a pale part of the surface where she’s been busy. A lot of people were hanging over her. I wonder if the keepers thought that was upsetting her so put the fence in to prevent the public over hang. It does look ugly though and slightly spoils the shape of the fence line and the views of the bear paddock. Let’s hope they keep it in better condition than the same stuff around the old Dino area.
Attachments
Any notes regarding the elephants?
Or nothing noteworthy
Or nothing noteworthy
Lafone
Well-Known Member
No they all looked happy enough having some branches in the main paddock and filling up on water and there was no one around to ask for any news when I wandered by.
The Hedgehog
Well-Known Member
Lafone
Well-Known Member
The carousel is already in - it’s on the grass just near the old elephant house.
The fun sort of park area has motorised jeep rides for kids that ran when the dinos were there and then lots of activities for the ultimate animal challenge kids summer event (which also has interactive games around the zoo such as kids sized meerkat sandboxes etc). It’s more activities than rides - has some new paths, fencing and tents. Was also where they had the jubilee event. It’s all on the place I’d photographed hoping it was a new enclosure! But it looks fun for the kids and the games are intended to be educational.
The Ultimate Animal Challenge
Not sure what else will go in there once summer holidays are over.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Also on the new bear enclosure fence I wonder if rather than upsetting the bear the keepers were worried people people over hanging the enclosure were leaning on the fence too much. It is quite a bendy structure so perhaps this is in fear of people toppling in. Either way - bit of an ugly solution!
Her mother's Minbu, and yes, and she is Minbu's only offspring. Minbu is wildborn so is genetically valuable, and hasn't produced any calves since Karishma twenty four years ago. On the other hand though, Karishma is incredibly well represented via her father Chang, not only via Chang's many calves (her half siblings), but also through Chang's father (Chang Mei), and his daughter (Irma) who's had calves at Rotterdam, and Dublin's herd being the notable descendants of Irma's line.
George is currently living with his half brother, Scott, at the Katowice Zoo in Poland. Since he's not necessarily genetically valuable, it's likely he'll remain here in a bachelor group for years to come.