ZSL Whipsnade Zoo ZSL Whipsnade Zoo News 2022

[AlexanderTHG]

I’m glad the walkthrough has reopened, although I don’t see how ZSL can use covid as the reason for its delayed reopening, given that the lemur walkthrough at London zoo reopened months ago.

In regards to the macaques, there doesn’t seem any obvious place for them. In Dominic Jermey’s (ZSL director general) ‘goodbye for now’ page at the front of the latest wildabout magazine, he says that ‘plans are underway for new reptile and amphibian exhibits at both zoos in 2023; and a new home is being built for our Sulawesi macaques at Whipsnade.’ If it is ‘new’ I wonder where this would be.

 

[Lafone]

I guess they could go in a new build area in the empty place in front of the old concrete elephant steps - the one that has the circular low fence. The wallabies sometimes hang about in that area but the low gates are always open and the fence could be replaced. And it’s not a bad size overall. That would put them between chimps and weird Dino place and quite near the entrance to show off a ‘new’ species and would also help with the wind a bit. They could even clean up those concrete steps as a viewing area. Currently that area is a cut through or a waste of space really.

But both correct it’s a bit hard to see the space.

I thought they might take the sloth bears who went to old hurst and move Columbo off show then. But maybe there would have been an issue with the house given his age.

 

[nedpepper]

I’ve given this some thought too since it was first announced and to me the obvious space to use would be the disused enclosure (last time I visited it housed a lone ostrich temporarily) opposite the tigers and alongside the cranes, the same row as the sloth bear. It would take a lot of adjustment to the enclosure but it’s in a quite central position in the Asian section and already has suitable viewing paths etc.

If not there, maybe cutting out a chunk of the yak enclosure on the opposite side of the road to the disused enclosure. Pure speculation of course!

 

[AlexanderTHG]

I’ve given this some thought too since it was first announced and to me the obvious space to use would be the disused enclosure (last time I visited it housed a lone ostrich temporarily) opposite the tigers and alongside the cranes, the same row as the sloth bear. It would take a lot of adjustment to the enclosure but it’s in a quite central position in the Asian section and already has suitable viewing paths etc.

If not there, maybe cutting out a chunk of the yak enclosure on the opposite side of the road to the disused enclosure. Pure speculation of course!

The enclosure you are talking about currently holds a pair of emu, but I guess that enclosure could work if they electrified the fence. The emu would have to move elsewhere though.

 

[Ectotherm]

The lemurs also had to be repeatedly separated due to ongoing hierarchical infighting.

That's curious, I'd never seen anything like that when I visited them on many occasions in the past.
Just them chilling out in the sunshine mostly in the "Buddha" position. Of course I'm not saying you are wrong, just that I've never seen it.

Im sure the zoo have researched this, but let’s also not forget the risk of human/lemur covid transmission, particularly in a walkthrough exhibit where the risk is even greater! The last thing ZSL needs is more negative headlines.

I take your point, but I would suggest that IF they are positive, they virtually always stay socially distanced from people, and I would further suggest they are no more a risk to us than any other "inmate"

 

[rjh]

I’m glad the walkthrough has reopened, although I don’t see how ZSL can use covid as the reason for its delayed reopening, given that the lemur walkthrough at London zoo reopened months ago..

The lemur walkthrough was open in November last year so I suspect it was closed for the winter weather and subsequent gales and not due to covid.

 

[Jedd Cullinan]

I’m glad the walkthrough has reopened, although I don’t see how ZSL can use covid as the reason for its delayed reopening, given that the lemur walkthrough at London zoo reopened months ago.

In regards to the macaques, there doesn’t seem any obvious place for them. In Dominic Jermey’s (ZSL director general) ‘goodbye for now’ page at the front of the latest wildabout magazine, he says that ‘plans are underway for new reptile and amphibian exhibits at both zoos in 2023; and a new home is being built for our Sulawesi macaques at Whipsnade.’ If it is ‘new’ I wonder where this would be.

that would be really good

 

[Panthera1981]

Some observations from today’s visit:

The hoarding around the old sealion area has been painted a stomach-churning aquamarine colour. This area, and the adjacent surroundings, look incredibly rundown and decrepit.

The entire cheetah area is now closed until further notice, as the elderly female passed away on April 11th.

I saw no sitatunga. Have these left the collection?

The wild boar have had piglets, born last week.

Overall, having not visited for nearly a year, I got the underlying sense of a very “tired”establishment (particularly on the fundamentals like maintenance and signage). Certainly having a shiny new meerkat exhibit and the impending (?) arrival of the macaques isn’t going to solve these problems overnight. However, it was nice to see a substantial pride of lions (even if it is temporary).

 

[Lafone]

Some observations from today’s visit:

The hoarding around the old sealion area has been painted a stomach-churning aquamarine colour. This area, and the adjacent surroundings, look incredibly rundown and decrepit.

The entire cheetah area is now closed until further notice, as the elderly female passed away on April 11th.

I saw no sitatunga. Have these left the collection?

The wild boar have had piglets, born last week.

Overall, having not visited for nearly a year, I got the underlying sense of a very “tired”establishment (particularly on the fundamentals like maintenance and signage). Certainly having a shiny new meerkat exhibit and the impending (?) arrival of the macaques isn’t going to solve these problems overnight. However, it was nice to see a substantial pride of lions (even if it is temporary).

Sad news about the cheetah, was fortunate to see her the other weekend and get some good pics - she was a lot of fun to watch and while in her dotage she was out and about a lot (and very interested in her deer neighbours) - what a shame to see her go. Another area without animals.

The sitatunga are up near the rhinos quite close to the top cafe and near the goats. They were there the other week. Hopefully not also gone.

 

[Panthera1981]

The sitatunga are up near the rhinos quite close to the top cafe and near the goats. They were there the other week. Hopefully not also gone.

I briefly passed this area ( I was driving!) but this area appeared empty except for an enclosure sign for Chinese water deer! Also saw no goats.

 

[Lafone]

I briefly passed this area ( I was driving!) but this area appeared empty except for an enclosure sign for Chinese water deer! Also saw no goats.

Odd will have to have a look for them!

The goats are usually fairly hard to spot down the slope a bit or in their houses and I think they might rotate them down to the petting thing so not surprised by them - not the species you expect to be elusive at the zoo!

 

[pipaluk]

There were several sitatunga in with the lone bongo this morning!

 

[Panthera1981]

I should’ve also added to my earlier post that, despite a very large banner draped along the sealion house implying the macaques arrival (yet not naming them!) I’ve yet to see any ground broken on a new exhibit. Hopefully, as/when/if it happens it’ll be something substantial rather than some prefab quick fix!

 

[Lafone]

I should’ve also added to my earlier post that, despite a very large banner draped along the sealion house implying the macaques arrival (yet not naming them!) I’ve yet to see any ground broken on a new exhibit. Hopefully, as/when/if it happens it’ll be something substantial rather than some prefab quick fix!

I wonder whether they plan to adapt the sea lion house?

Apart from the area near the old elephant walks around / concrete steps that I’d mentioned before or the ex dinosaur now pseudo abandoned garden centre area I confess I am struggling a bit to think where they are putting them!

 

[Jedd Cullinan]

Anyone who wanted to know how Emmett the Bull Elephant is getting on at Blackpool Zoo. He's doing fine as I have spoken to some friends from Theme Parks UK and they sent me some photos of him doing so well in his new home and here he is

 

[Panthera1981]

Maybe one for any rail enthusiasts but…

I’ve been wondering what the future plans are for the zoo’s railway, if any. Clearly it still runs on some form of fossil fuel, so contradicts ZSL’s conservation message. I believe it’s third party owned and operated, but must surely bring in a tidy sum for the zoo plus would cost a hefty amount to convert to an alternative fuel source.

 

[Lafone]

Maybe one for any rail enthusiasts but…

I’ve been wondering what the future plans are for the zoo’s railway, if any. Clearly it still runs on some form of fossil fuel, so contradicts ZSL’s conservation message. I believe it’s third party owned and operated, but must surely bring in a tidy sum for the zoo plus would cost a hefty amount to convert to an alternative fuel source.

It’s a good question. There’s a mix of steam, diesel and battery engines Iirc but the ones powered by the legacy fuels must be hard to convert as you say given some are effectively museum pieces.

I’d hazard a guess they’d look to carbon offset the fuel by other green means or carbon trading.

 

[Jennings]

Maybe one for any rail enthusiasts but…

I’ve been wondering what the future plans are for the zoo’s railway, if any. Clearly it still runs on some form of fossil fuel, so contradicts ZSL’s conservation message. I believe it’s third party owned and operated, but must surely bring in a tidy sum for the zoo plus would cost a hefty amount to convert to an alternative fuel source.

Rail enthusiast here!

A number of heritage railways, and especially narrow gauge and miniature ones, are now experimenting with biocoal briquettes as an alternative to coal. These can be burned in the fireboxes of conventional steam locomotives with no modifications required.

https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2021/0...tests-new-bio-coal-for-steam-locomotives.html

 

[Jennings]

It’s a good question. There’s a mix of steam, diesel and battery engines Iirc but the ones powered by the legacy fuels must be hard to convert as you say given some are effectively museum pieces.

None of the Whipsnade steam engines are unique, being ex-Bowater paper mill engines with several surviving sister engines at the Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway in Kent, so in the unlikely event that it became necessary to significantly modify them then nothing of vital historical importance would be lost. The diesels are another story; I think the days of heritage railways relying on diesels as cheap alternative motive power are more or less over, so ironically we might see more steam engines in use rather than fewer.

 

[Lafone]

Rail enthusiast here!

A number of heritage railways, and especially narrow gauge and miniature ones, are now experimenting with biocoal briquettes as an alternative to coal. These can be burned in the fireboxes of conventional steam locomotives with no modifications required.

https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2021/0...tests-new-bio-coal-for-steam-locomotives.html

Interesting stuff indeed!