Moorhunhe
Well-Known Member
We were at London zoo January 8, and saw 2 of them.
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo ZSL Whipsnade Zoo News 2023
- Thread starter JP1996
- Start date
- Status
We were at London zoo January 8, and saw 2 of them.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Had a lovely day out at Whipsnade today - perfect weather with no wind or rain, a bit chilly. One of those excellent not many people at the zoo Fridays with loads of the animals out and about.
Saw the Asian short claw otter cubs which was awesome. Carol was just being returned to the enclosure in a cat carrier by keepers and a vet having had some treatment but they discussed all was fine which was great to hear. Ernie seemed pleased to have her back. The family then had some fish so got great views.
Also got a good sighting of one of the Visayan warty piglets running around. Didn’t see any others.
Thanks @pipaluk for highlighting the babirosa pair just outside the drive through entrance. I saw the species a few years ago in San Diego but I’d not seen them since and hadn’t had any good shots. They both came trotting over too which was very obliging.
The wild boar are signed as out of the paddock near the lynx again while the grass grows back / area recovers.
The whole side of the viewing area for the elephants that runs down the side of the enclosure in front of the small wood is closed off - the elephants were indoors anyway and assume this closure is due to the mud / weather and it will reopen again soon.
The penguin area was closed completely for maintenance. Lots of work going on inside including hi lifts working on the overhead netting.
The flamingoes were off the lake - it still had a lot of ice on it. The birds are also still off the bottom lake with the exception of the pelicans.
The cheetahs were in the right side of their enclosure - the left public gate entrance was locked with a chain and plastic barriers barred the viewing house with the central enclosure gate shut. The viewing house has had a real problem with a big puddle at one side so perhaps some work being done to resolve that. The cheetahs were out in the one area though which was fun.
Some nice work in the free flight enclosure for the two marabou storks at the back of the cafe near the tigers - planting, logs and the house looks like it has had a makeover.
Lots of people working on the new bear extension - steel framing, wood framing and installing overhead mesh. One end now has a viewing space and signage. Looks like a new outdoor area extension which reminded me of Hamerton’s area next to the meadow, as well as the new house. As the workmen were in the area I didn’t like to photograph them so missed capturing the viewing space, but took a long phone pic attached to illustrate the scale a bit.
Some general tidying also going on with more tree felling so lots of activity in the “off season”.
Saw the Asian short claw otter cubs which was awesome. Carol was just being returned to the enclosure in a cat carrier by keepers and a vet having had some treatment but they discussed all was fine which was great to hear. Ernie seemed pleased to have her back. The family then had some fish so got great views.
Also got a good sighting of one of the Visayan warty piglets running around. Didn’t see any others.
Thanks @pipaluk for highlighting the babirosa pair just outside the drive through entrance. I saw the species a few years ago in San Diego but I’d not seen them since and hadn’t had any good shots. They both came trotting over too which was very obliging.
The wild boar are signed as out of the paddock near the lynx again while the grass grows back / area recovers.
The whole side of the viewing area for the elephants that runs down the side of the enclosure in front of the small wood is closed off - the elephants were indoors anyway and assume this closure is due to the mud / weather and it will reopen again soon.
The penguin area was closed completely for maintenance. Lots of work going on inside including hi lifts working on the overhead netting.
The flamingoes were off the lake - it still had a lot of ice on it. The birds are also still off the bottom lake with the exception of the pelicans.
The cheetahs were in the right side of their enclosure - the left public gate entrance was locked with a chain and plastic barriers barred the viewing house with the central enclosure gate shut. The viewing house has had a real problem with a big puddle at one side so perhaps some work being done to resolve that. The cheetahs were out in the one area though which was fun.
Some nice work in the free flight enclosure for the two marabou storks at the back of the cafe near the tigers - planting, logs and the house looks like it has had a makeover.
Lots of people working on the new bear extension - steel framing, wood framing and installing overhead mesh. One end now has a viewing space and signage. Looks like a new outdoor area extension which reminded me of Hamerton’s area next to the meadow, as well as the new house. As the workmen were in the area I didn’t like to photograph them so missed capturing the viewing space, but took a long phone pic attached to illustrate the scale a bit.
Some general tidying also going on with more tree felling so lots of activity in the “off season”.
Attachments
Alwaysevergreen
Well-Known Member
Being converted into a water treatment facility.
Well that's underwhelming
Pathetic!! Even ZSL's biggest supporters on here can't defend that surely......
I appreciate it’s not particularly interesting but these buildings are needed in places like zoos. Would I prefer if it was for something else, sure, but with all the plans for this year I think it’s best to not get too worked up about it.
Im guessing I’m leaving myself open to ridicule but that is just my opinion. It’s not great but it’s hardly the end of the world
Im guessing I’m leaving myself open to ridicule but that is just my opinion. It’s not great but it’s hardly the end of the world
Rajang-GOAT
Well-Known Member
Are they definitely going out of Sloth Bears (or bears at all) in that enclosure? If so are there any confirmed plans for the enclosure and area? I have seen it talked about a lot, but I just want to get my knowledge straight.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
They are getting more brown bears up in the Europe area. No mention of bears for Colombo’s old space or anything - the banner on the enclosure has langurs. The area near it (old przewelski horse enclosure) is said to be where the Sulawesi macaques are going with a path looping round the back. So nothing absolutely certain it seems for the space. It’s a good size though so I’d hope it gets well used. Fantasy animal wise I’d love them to extend it to the trees including where the storks currently are and have wolves again. But they won’t do that!
I would have preferred them to still have sloth bears and just add new species without losing another for once- it is not as if their isn't space
Wow, just…Wow!
So that’s now TWO semi-derelict eyesores slap-bang in the middle of the zoo! One archaic elephant house being used as a dumping ground (which is the first thing the visitor sees upon entering the zoo) and now this! Just knock the thing down!
Good luck to the Press Office trying to dress this one up-you’ll need it!
Lafone
Well-Known Member
That would be the best outcome indeed though I wasn’t sure there were any to have. Though Johnson’s has two males which are separate l think? Might be a way of creating breeding space if they were with females at two places.
Last edited:
And on the subject of space, should ZSL wish to ever make a statement, convert the Passage Thru Asia into a Polar bear facility. The area’s practically a blank canvas.
It’s getting increasingly difficult to get excited about a group of inbred Fallow deer!
Rajang-GOAT
Well-Known Member
That's true, I have always considered the future of Sloth Bears at Whipsnade while bearing those individuals in mind. If I remember correctly they were 2 (possibly young) males brought in from Europe (Berlin and Zurich sounds right?) to live together and to both await being paired with a female at a different facility. I think their introductions didn't go too well and they might currently be kept apart unlike originally intended, so this could also be compromising the space available to each animal. So yes it seems like it would be a good idea (if they are interested) for ZSL to try take on one of these males and eventually try to pair it up with a female (I think Old Hurst only intend to hold these two males on a shorter term and send them elsewhere when they are eventually required for breeding anyway), and Johnson's of Old Hurst will be able to comfortably hold the other male longer term if necessary.
I think it very unlikely Whipsnade would have Sloth Bears again. The previous ones were inherited or 'retired' from London Zoo after the revamped 'Bears on the old Mappin Terraces' display was abandoned- partially I think because of the stereotyped behaviour they( or at least one of them) exhibited. At Whipsnade the large grassy enclosure allowed them a more stimulating environment perhaps, but they frequently seemed invisible( in my experience anyway) and sleeping indoors so not a great exhibit often.
My guess is the Brown Bears, a more visible species and where work is currently being done to improve/upgrade the exhibit, will be sufficient as a Bear display at Whipsnade for the future, as they seem to prefer to simplify the collection wherever possible.
Last edited:
Lafone
Well-Known Member
That's true on the visiblity front..the later afternoon treat / food in play equipment was a bit of a set your watch moment if you wanted to see Colombo outside! I've not see the Johnson's ones outside either yet though I've only been a couple of times so possibly not representative.
cerperal
Well-Known Member
Just to add to the sloth bear discussion, I do think it's a terrible shame Whipsnade are unlikely to retain the species. They're a fairly rare and unique species and made the Asia section more, well, unique, and it was one that seemed at least to me to fit the Whipsnade image.
Especially as the exhibit itself was fantastic for them; sure, most of the time they were fairly hard to view, but I'd rather the animals were happier and Colombo's afternoon antics made up for it. In contrast, the sloth bear in Berlin Zoo often puts on a great show... of pacing up and down the glass. Admittedly that area of the zoo is due to be upgraded, but it does feel a shame a place like Whipsnade is going to lose a species it is much better suited for. Not the first or last time for that.
I do wonder what will replace them. Something Asian, I'd assume, but I suppose it's unlikely to be another large carnivore and inevitably will be deemed an insufficient replacement. Though I can dream of a large, modern amur leopard exhibit...
Especially as the exhibit itself was fantastic for them; sure, most of the time they were fairly hard to view, but I'd rather the animals were happier and Colombo's afternoon antics made up for it. In contrast, the sloth bear in Berlin Zoo often puts on a great show... of pacing up and down the glass. Admittedly that area of the zoo is due to be upgraded, but it does feel a shame a place like Whipsnade is going to lose a species it is much better suited for. Not the first or last time for that.
I do wonder what will replace them. Something Asian, I'd assume, but I suppose it's unlikely to be another large carnivore and inevitably will be deemed an insufficient replacement. Though I can dream of a large, modern amur leopard exhibit...
Enjoyable first visit of the year this afternoon, and got to see pretty much everything I planned.
The two Otter pups and the Warty Pig piglet were fantastic to watch, they were all very active. Was great to see the Otter parents taking it in turns to leave the pups for a drink. Really interesting to watch.
Progress at the Bear enclosure is coming along, I assume a smaller area for cubs in future?
There was the first signs I’ve seen of work starting on the macaque/anoa/langur developments. Pictures below. Been keeping an eye on the Bedfordshire planning website, it seems such a frustratingly slow process!
Side note, I have never known Aardvarks to be so active!
The two Otter pups and the Warty Pig piglet were fantastic to watch, they were all very active. Was great to see the Otter parents taking it in turns to leave the pups for a drink. Really interesting to watch.
Progress at the Bear enclosure is coming along, I assume a smaller area for cubs in future?
There was the first signs I’ve seen of work starting on the macaque/anoa/langur developments. Pictures below. Been keeping an eye on the Bedfordshire planning website, it seems such a frustratingly slow process!
Side note, I have never known Aardvarks to be so active!
Attachments
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Sounds like it was a good day out! I wondered if the new bear side area was either to offer rotation if all the bears are being introduced or an alternative area to the main paddock a bit like Hamerton. But cubs is a good shout too - having a few outdoor spaces will certainly add more versatility.
Good to see the new area start!
- Status