ZSL Whipsnade Zoo ZSL Whipsnade Zoo News 2023

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Lovely day at Whipsnade today - really must visit more. Of course we made the truly intellectual decision of somehow unwittlingly going on Good Friday, so at 10am we were having to park in the overflow already. Good news for ZSL, and not an issue with me.

I'll keep it short, but every animal was on fine display except for Cinderella (around midday) and the gaur, although I'm not entirely sure they are still in the collection. Unfortunately we didn't have time to return to the bear exhibit later in the day, but the building work is clearly advanced now. I'll attach a picture.

The baby elephant was suitably cantankerous, though it seemed they were only allowed in the bull pen in the morning with otherwise all day spent inside. It was nice to see Wilfred too, lovely little fellow. There were also vets entering the aardvark's sleeping area. 2 seemed rather interested in getting a good scratch, but I couldn't tell you what was going on. Nothing I'd assume to be concerning though, and it did mean they braved the sunshine for a trip outside.

I'll spare everyone the full write up, unless anyone is particularly interested. But I do want to mention the hippos. I spoke to the keeper after his talk, about their plans following Hoover's departure that many of us have been umming and aahing about. Nothing is certain yet, but the general plan is once Hodor reaches breeding age he'll be shipped off, and Hoover will come back to continue his breeding success with Lola. The much rumoured inbreeding between Hodor and Lola is also apparently tosh - make of that what you will. Which I'd say is rather good news.

Anyway, lovely day as I've said. I look forward to the new developments
 

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The 2022 animal inventory lists the Indian Gaur as 3 females, I really hope they haven't left the collection as they are fantastic animals and it would be a shame to see them go from ZSL and the UK as a whole.
 
Max Blundell said:
The 2022 animal inventory lists the Indian Gaur as 3 females, I really hope they haven't left the collection as they are fantastic animals and it would be a shame to see them go from ZSL and the UK as a whole.
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Things might have changed but I saw the gaur on my last visit on 24th March, they were not out in their field but could be seen sheltering at the top of the paddock.
 
Lafone said:
Things might have changed but I saw the gaur on my last visit on 24th March, they were not out in their field but could be seen sheltering at the top of the paddock.
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I'd hazard they're still there then, couldn't find them up the top of the hill or in their housing but I'm aware they have plenty of off-show space in that building.
 
cerperal said:
I'd hazard they're still there then, couldn't find them up the top of the hill or in their housing but I'm aware they have plenty of off-show space in that building.
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I spent ages at the otters and the gaur wandered in and out in that time up the hill. I was there a while. I can also never find the gaur when I actually look for them (well, outside the summer)! I believe the intention isn't to keep them in the long run though I read that here so someone else will have a better view. Phased out for Banteng in Europe I think? Shame as I think they are lovely.
 
Lafone said:
I spent ages at the otters and the gaur wandered in and out in that time up the hill. I was there a while. I can also never find the gaur when I actually look for them (well, outside the summer)!
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We spent a good chunk of time in that area, it helps if you're trying to navigate between Africa and Asia that's what I'd say is the best route. Shame we didn't see them at all then but if they're still there that's the main thing. Makes me glad they're easier to spot at my local (Marwell)!

I remember the conversation about gaur and banteng. Not much more I can add to that here but it's a shame to hear they'll be phased out even of Whipsnade. Begs the question of what'll go in the massive field?
 
cerperal said:
But I do want to mention the hippos. I spoke to the keeper after his talk, about their plans following Hoover's departure that many of us have been umming and aahing about. Nothing is certain yet, but the general plan is once Hodor reaches breeding age he'll be shipped off, and Hoover will come back to continue his breeding success with Lola. The much rumoured inbreeding between Hodor and Lola is also apparently tosh - make of that what you will. Which I'd say is rather good news.
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I'm glad someone has put this. I spoke to someone last week who works at Whipsnade, as I was asking them about the lodges and what the encounters involved contain. I mentioned about the Hippo's and asked about the so called birth in 2020 and it's report of it being Hodor's. They told me it was nonsense, Hodor hasn't reached maturity yet, hasn't been castrated and that Hoover has gone to breed elsewhere, and rubbished the reports about a Hippo in 2020, saying it was not true. I'm glad someone else has also been told this, by a member of the Hippo team.
 
cerperal said:
Begs the question of what'll go in the massive field?
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Those with long memories will recall this current paddock was originally intended to house Black rhino, and indeed did contain a pair. In the grand scheme of things, the house and paddock aren’t that old, maybe 25+ years?

Various factors counted against their longevity but, personally, I would love the species to return, though doubt this will happen.
 
cerperal said:
Lovely day at Whipsnade today - really must visit more. Of course we made the truly intellectual decision of somehow unwittlingly going on Good Friday, so at 10am we were having to park in the overflow already. Good news for ZSL, and not an issue with me.

I'll keep it short, but every animal was on fine display except for Cinderella (around midday) and the gaur, although I'm not entirely sure they are still in the collection. Unfortunately we didn't have time to return to the bear exhibit later in the day, but the building work is clearly advanced now. I'll attach a picture.

The baby elephant was suitably cantankerous, though it seemed they were only allowed in the bull pen in the morning with otherwise all day spent inside. It was nice to see Wilfred too, lovely little fellow. There were also vets entering the aardvark's sleeping area. 2 seemed rather interested in getting a good scratch, but I couldn't tell you what was going on. Nothing I'd assume to be concerning though, and it did mean they braved the sunshine for a trip outside.

I'll spare everyone the full write up, unless anyone is particularly interested. But I do want to mention the hippos. I spoke to the keeper after his talk, about their plans following Hoover's departure that many of us have been umming and aahing about. Nothing is certain yet, but the general plan is once Hodor reaches breeding age he'll be shipped off, and Hoover will come back to continue his breeding success with Lola. The much rumoured inbreeding between Hodor and Lola is also apparently tosh - make of that what you will. Which I'd say is rather good news.

Anyway, lovely day as I've said. I look forward to the new developments
Click to expand...
Can you please attached the picture of the sign on the new bear enclosure? If you can’t, then does the sign says it for Eurasian brown bears or a different subspecies of brown bear.
 
Went today despite the bad weather to begin with had a wonderful time with less crowds,
Predict white rhino birth this month as went into the house and found pregnant white rhino locked in trying to push door to escape being kept next two the next youngest rhino Nadi and her mum.
Bush dogs were again being kept separate for now as apparently their been in pack fighting again whilst a hierarchy is established between the girls and the boys
Spoke to Hippo keeper, The younger male Hooder will be moving on in a few years , but mum won’t be reunited with Hoover, but potentially a new male. They are desperate for a companion for Tapon but can’t find a Pygmy hippo to pair him with..
Cheetah brother looked happy in the sunshine. Barely saw Khari the lion but we did see meerkat and porcupines in same enclosure. Also their is a new viewing area of the Aardvarks which is very much better as you can see them up close!
Cinderella was posing at the front of her enclosure , and elephants were all together all female and Ming Jin in his separate pen.
Otters were happy families, two kids and parents happily playing,
The only noticeable absence was Bashu, wasn’t visible only females and Wilfred the giraffe together, but locked indoors so not to hurt legs in muddy ground .
 
Rosie183 said:
Went today despite the bad weather to begin with had a wonderful time with less crowds,
Predict white rhino birth this month as went into the house and found pregnant white rhino locked in trying to push door to escape being kept next two the next youngest rhino Nadi and her mum.
Bush dogs were again being kept separate for now as apparently their been in pack fighting again whilst a hierarchy is established between the girls and the boys
Spoke to Hippo keeper, The younger male Hooder will be moving on in a few years , but mum won’t be reunited with Hoover, but potentially a new male. They are desperate for a companion for Tapon but can’t find a Pygmy hippo to pair him with..
Cheetah brother looked happy in the sunshine. Barely saw Khari the lion but we did see meerkat and porcupines in same enclosure. Also their is a new viewing area of the Aardvarks which is very much better as you can see them up close!
Cinderella was posing at the front of her enclosure , and elephants were all together all female and Ming Jin in his separate pen.
Otters were happy families, two kids and parents happily playing,
The only noticeable absence was Bashu, wasn’t visible only females and Wilfred the giraffe together, but locked indoors so not to hurt legs in muddy ground .
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Glad you had a good time. Don't doubt your update but just checking it was definitely the pregnant female, and not because of an injury? I know one was kept in because of a deep cut recently. Strange we got conflicting info on the hippos, I was quite plainly told Hoover and Lola were deliberately matched and they want to keep breeding them. Again, I don't doubt your info haha.

The aardvark viewing is fantastic! Did they seem to react to people at all? I couldn't work out if it was one way or not. Glad Ming Jung is back with the girls, he only had his house when we visited.
 
Rosie183 said:
Went today despite the bad weather to begin with had a wonderful time with less crowds,
Predict white rhino birth this month as went into the house and found pregnant white rhino locked in trying to push door to escape being kept next two the next youngest rhino Nadi and her mum.
Bush dogs were again being kept separate for now as apparently their been in pack fighting again whilst a hierarchy is established between the girls and the boys
Spoke to Hippo keeper, The younger male Hooder will be moving on in a few years , but mum won’t be reunited with Hoover, but potentially a new male. They are desperate for a companion for Tapon but can’t find a Pygmy hippo to pair him with..
Cheetah brother looked happy in the sunshine. Barely saw Khari the lion but we did see meerkat and porcupines in same enclosure. Also their is a new viewing area of the Aardvarks which is very much better as you can see them up close!
Cinderella was posing at the front of her enclosure , and elephants were all together all female and Ming Jin in his separate pen.
Otters were happy families, two kids and parents happily playing,
The only noticeable absence was Bashu, wasn’t visible only females and Wilfred the giraffe together, but locked indoors so not to hurt legs in muddy ground .
Click to expand...

Sounds like a fun visit.

Guess you mean the African wild / hunting dogs, there's been a bit of fighting visible on visits, so makes sense for the dogs to be split up while the keepers work out how to let them establish the dominant female and Whipsnade doesn't have bush dogs.
 
cerperal said:
Glad you had a good time. Don't doubt your update but just checking it was definitely the pregnant female, and not because of an injury? I know one was kept in because of a deep cut recently. Strange we got conflicting info on the hippos, I was quite plainly told Hoover and Lola were deliberately matched and they want to keep breeding them. Again, I don't doubt your info haha.

The aardvark viewing is fantastic! Did they seem to react to people at all? I couldn't work out if it was one way or not. Glad Ming Jung is back with the girls, he only had his house when we visited.
Click to expand...
 

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Lafone said:
Sounds like a fun visit.

Guess you mean the African wild / hunting dogs, there's been a bit of fighting visible on visits, so makes sense for the dogs to be split up while the keepers work out how to let them establish the dominant female and Whipsnade doesn't have bush dogs.
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Sorry yes it was the African hunting dogs.. the keeper was like I wish they would just breed but the fighting been pretty bad and they don’t want to lose animals like what happened in the past!! So trying to take it slow and also closed off the indoors den you could usually look inside has now been closed off .. to allow for privacy!
 
cerperal said:
Glad you had a good time. Don't doubt your update but just checking it was definitely the pregnant female, and not because of an injury? I know one was kept in because of a deep cut recently. Strange we got conflicting info on the hippos, I was quite plainly told Hoover and Lola were deliberately matched and they want to keep breeding them. Again, I don't doubt your info haha.

The aardvark viewing is fantastic! Did they seem to react to people at all? I couldn't work out if it was one way or not. Glad Ming Jung is back with the girls, he only had his house when we visited.
Click to expand...
I don’t think they liked it from what I could see as it was extremely windy.. so the black shutters were blowing around so it wasn’t really dark and they seemed disturbed by the light coming in!!
 

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