there are I believe currently 5 at London so assuming they all move to Whipsnade that would enable the two sets of enclosures they currently occupy in the London Gorilla Territory exhibit to be reassigned.
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo ZSL Whipsnade Zoo News 2023
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there are I believe currently 5 at London so assuming they all move to Whipsnade that would enable the two sets of enclosures they currently occupy in the London Gorilla Territory exhibit to be reassigned.
Correct, Beluki was retired from breeding some years ago now for health reasons.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
That would be exciting! Ties into the suggestion of two females coming. They look lovely as well having taken a brief look at the Antwerp site. Having non holiday lions again will be amazing.
Interesting that it seems that these are potentially not generic “zoo lions” either. I’ll be intrigued as to how they move forward with breeding if they want to keep any subspecies purity.
I won’t miss the Rent-A-Lion scheme. Granted it helped the zoos involved, but I do feel a sense of embarrassment regarding Blackpool’s male and his mane loss! At least now there seems to be a clear path forward
I won’t miss the Rent-A-Lion scheme. Granted it helped the zoos involved, but I do feel a sense of embarrassment regarding Blackpool’s male and his mane loss! At least now there seems to be a clear path forward
Zootierliste( not always up to date or compleely accurate) list only Antwerp as holders of West African Lion, so I don't know where Whipsnade would be able to source an unrelated pure male from...West Africa? -but its a nice idea for them to have non-generic Lions if they can.
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Ricky Hans
Active Member
According to Zootierliste only the male is West African, not even sure this is true. The females are Barbary lions. So any offspring are generic zoo lions anyway
I believe the EEP of the African lion adheres to the recently revised taxonomy of lions. In 2017, the Cat Classification Task Force of the Cat Specialist Group revised the taxonomy of lions and recognises two subspecies, namely:
- Panthera leo leo - Often called 'Northern lion'.
- Panthera leo melanochaita - Often called 'Southern lion'.
In this taxonomy, the lions in Antwerp are all of the same subspecies: Northern lion.
Is the EEP for asiatic lions following this revised taxonomy? If so Asiatic lions are classed as Northern lions.
So Antwerp does hold the only male West African Lion Nestor. The DNA I believe put him around 85-90% pure West African. The EEP Is mixing Barbary lions and West African from now on so this does mean to be a population in zoos. Asiatic will remain separate. Other pure population will be Southern African lions. So if Whipsnade has a Male Barbary lion they will be green lit to breed. Since their is no intention to import.
Do you mean Southwest African lion like the ones at Le Parc des Felins?
The earlier subspecies are divided as follows:
Northern lion (Panthera leo leo):
- Asiatic lion (P. l. persica)
- Barbary lion (P. l. leo)
- West African lion (P. l. senegalensis)
Southern lion (Panthera leo melanochaita):
- Somali lion (P. l. somaliensis)
- Masai lion (P. l. massaica)
- Southwest african lion (P. l. bleyenberghi)
- Roosevelt's lion (P. l. roosevelti)
- Southeast african lion (P. l. krugeri)
- Kalahari lion (P. l. vernayi)
Of course it’s ok to ask
Pretty much most of the Zoo has paved walkways. There are a few slopes, but my dad who has trouble walking long distances finds it ok as long as you take your time.
Of course it’s ok to ask
Some of the terrain is a little bumpy and uneven, but certainly navigable. Also if it helps there are mobility scooter for a small hire fee.
Bare in mind the loop is about 4.5 km
I hope that helps
Spoke to a member of staff who confirmed he lost his mane due to a hormonal implant he was given before he arrived at Whipsnade - so that could explain why his mane fell out once it took effect maybe?
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