Ha don’t worry, they have free roaming Mara and wallabies!
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo ZSL Whipsnade Zoo News 2023
- Thread starter JP1996
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Ha don’t worry, they have free roaming Mara and wallabies!
And free-ranging Chinese water deer & Reeves' muntjac too (although the muntjac are seldom seen).
Oh of course! Although I assumed the water deer had been moved into the passage thru Asia?
Pandaboi
Well-Known Member
Just got home from the zoo, and it’s one of the best zoos I’ve been to. Its collection is stunning and the enclosures are large and spacious. I felt like I was in the wild looking in on the animals because the barriers were that well hidden. The only thing I didn’t like was that it was extremely confusing to get around the zoo because of the lack of signage to help you where you’re going.
I started my day at the chimpanzees and then walked over to the bird show what was incredible. My favourite species in the show was the Visayan hornbill what tickled my heart when I saw it fly next to me. Hornbills are one of my favourite bird species so it was incredible to see it. It was very informative.
I then went on a walk to the red panda and otter enclosure what was really awesome because of the otters messing around with each over.
The penguin area is fabulous, especially with the view at the back. I love whole area and thought it was a incredible enclosure.
I walked to the African area, this was my favourite part of the day because of the enclosures just looking like the wild. There are no visible barriers from the majority of the enclosures. The animals could get up and close and the rhinos were cool to watch chase each over around. I enjoyed seeing the lions move around with each over and then seeing them from behind the ostrich enclosure.
After the lions I then walked to the cheetahs and hippos. Although I did nearly get knocked out by a child on a scooter, twice… Seeing both hippo species together what really cool to see. It was fascinating to see all the differences from each species. The cheetahs were a no show unfortunately but makes me want to come back again!
The Asian area was lovely to walk around in. I enjoyed the train ride because I as able to grab some photos of the wild horse foal. The train is really nice except the fact the train drivers tried to squeeze a large family next to me and my mother. Though I do understand since they wanted to be able to fit everyone on.
At the end of the day I went to the Elephants, I was there for at least 45 minutes watching the keepers work inside the house getting it prepared for the elephants and also watching the elephant family outside playing and enjoying themselves. The enclosure was fabulous so much room for them to roam I was a huge fan! After I went to the Indian rhinos but unfortunately as soon as I got there the rhino went inside. I believe there is three? Indian rhinos but I wasn’t to sure. I managed to see one of them inside but wasn’t able to take any photos.
Although I don’t like butterflies I still went in for my mom before leaving. The aquarium portion was really cool and I enjoyed seeing the backstage bit.
Overall I loved my day and will be definitely visiting again. Especially when the Sulawesi macaque enclosure is done. The keepers were passionate and I loved chatting with them. I found it funny when one of the maras starting following my mom when she opened her salad.
I started my day at the chimpanzees and then walked over to the bird show what was incredible. My favourite species in the show was the Visayan hornbill what tickled my heart when I saw it fly next to me. Hornbills are one of my favourite bird species so it was incredible to see it. It was very informative.
I then went on a walk to the red panda and otter enclosure what was really awesome because of the otters messing around with each over.
The penguin area is fabulous, especially with the view at the back. I love whole area and thought it was a incredible enclosure.
I walked to the African area, this was my favourite part of the day because of the enclosures just looking like the wild. There are no visible barriers from the majority of the enclosures. The animals could get up and close and the rhinos were cool to watch chase each over around. I enjoyed seeing the lions move around with each over and then seeing them from behind the ostrich enclosure.
After the lions I then walked to the cheetahs and hippos. Although I did nearly get knocked out by a child on a scooter, twice… Seeing both hippo species together what really cool to see. It was fascinating to see all the differences from each species. The cheetahs were a no show unfortunately but makes me want to come back again!
The Asian area was lovely to walk around in. I enjoyed the train ride because I as able to grab some photos of the wild horse foal. The train is really nice except the fact the train drivers tried to squeeze a large family next to me and my mother. Though I do understand since they wanted to be able to fit everyone on.
At the end of the day I went to the Elephants, I was there for at least 45 minutes watching the keepers work inside the house getting it prepared for the elephants and also watching the elephant family outside playing and enjoying themselves. The enclosure was fabulous so much room for them to roam I was a huge fan! After I went to the Indian rhinos but unfortunately as soon as I got there the rhino went inside. I believe there is three? Indian rhinos but I wasn’t to sure. I managed to see one of them inside but wasn’t able to take any photos.
Although I don’t like butterflies I still went in for my mom before leaving. The aquarium portion was really cool and I enjoyed seeing the backstage bit.
Overall I loved my day and will be definitely visiting again. Especially when the Sulawesi macaque enclosure is done. The keepers were passionate and I loved chatting with them. I found it funny when one of the maras starting following my mom when she opened her salad.
Just got home from the zoo, and it’s one of the best zoos I’ve been to. Its collection is stunning and the enclosures are large and spacious. I felt like I was in the wild looking in on the animals because the barriers were that well hidden. The only thing I didn’t like was that it was extremely confusing to get around the zoo because of the lack of signage to help you where you’re going.
I started my day at the chimpanzees and then walked over to the bird show what was incredible. My favourite species in the show was the Visayan hornbill what tickled my heart when I saw it fly next to me. Hornbills are one of my favourite bird species so it was incredible to see it. It was very informative.
I then went on a walk to the red panda and otter enclosure what was really awesome because of the otters messing around with each over.
The penguin area is fabulous, especially with the view at the back. I love whole area and thought it was a incredible enclosure.
I walked to the African area, this was my favourite part of the day because of the enclosures just looking like the wild. There are no visible barriers from the majority of the enclosures. The animals could get up and close and the rhinos were cool to watch chase each over around. I enjoyed seeing the lions move around with each over and then seeing them from behind the ostrich enclosure.
After the lions I then walked to the cheetahs and hippos. Although I did nearly get knocked out by a child on a scooter, twice… Seeing both hippo species together what really cool to see. It was fascinating to see all the differences from each species. The cheetahs were a no show unfortunately but makes me want to come back again!
The Asian area was lovely to walk around in. I enjoyed the train ride because I as able to grab some photos of the wild horse foal. The train is really nice except the fact the train drivers tried to squeeze a large family next to me and my mother. Though I do understand since they wanted to be able to fit everyone on.
At the end of the day I went to the Elephants, I was there for at least 45 minutes watching the keepers work inside the house getting it prepared for the elephants and also watching the elephant family outside playing and enjoying themselves. The enclosure was fabulous so much room for them to roam I was a huge fan! After I went to the Indian rhinos but unfortunately as soon as I got there the rhino went inside. I believe there is three? Indian rhinos but I wasn’t to sure. I managed to see one of them inside but wasn’t able to take any photos.
Although I don’t like butterflies I still went in for my mom before leaving. The aquarium portion was really cool and I enjoyed seeing the backstage bit.
Overall I loved my day and will be definitely visiting again. Especially when the Sulawesi macaque enclosure is done. The keepers were passionate and I loved chatting with them. I found it funny when one of the maras starting following my mom when she opened her salad.
This is so nice to hear and a lovely review of my local zoo, whipsnade has a fair few negative comments from people on here so it's great to hear your positive review.
Just got home from the zoo, and it’s one of the best zoos I’ve been to. Its collection is stunning and the enclosures are large and spacious. I felt like I was in the wild looking in on the animals because the barriers were that well hidden. The only thing I didn’t like was that it was extremely confusing to get around the zoo because of the lack of signage to help you where you’re going.
I started my day at the chimpanzees and then walked over to the bird show what was incredible. My favourite species in the show was the Visayan hornbill what tickled my heart when I saw it fly next to me. Hornbills are one of my favourite bird species so it was incredible to see it. It was very informative.
I then went on a walk to the red panda and otter enclosure what was really awesome because of the otters messing around with each over.
The penguin area is fabulous, especially with the view at the back. I love whole area and thought it was a incredible enclosure.
I walked to the African area, this was my favourite part of the day because of the enclosures just looking like the wild. There are no visible barriers from the majority of the enclosures. The animals could get up and close and the rhinos were cool to watch chase each over around. I enjoyed seeing the lions move around with each over and then seeing them from behind the ostrich enclosure.
After the lions I then walked to the cheetahs and hippos. Although I did nearly get knocked out by a child on a scooter, twice… Seeing both hippo species together what really cool to see. It was fascinating to see all the differences from each species. The cheetahs were a no show unfortunately but makes me want to come back again!
The Asian area was lovely to walk around in. I enjoyed the train ride because I as able to grab some photos of the wild horse foal. The train is really nice except the fact the train drivers tried to squeeze a large family next to me and my mother. Though I do understand since they wanted to be able to fit everyone on.
At the end of the day I went to the Elephants, I was there for at least 45 minutes watching the keepers work inside the house getting it prepared for the elephants and also watching the elephant family outside playing and enjoying themselves. The enclosure was fabulous so much room for them to roam I was a huge fan! After I went to the Indian rhinos but unfortunately as soon as I got there the rhino went inside. I believe there is three? Indian rhinos but I wasn’t to sure. I managed to see one of them inside but wasn’t able to take any photos.
Although I don’t like butterflies I still went in for my mom before leaving. The aquarium portion was really cool and I enjoyed seeing the backstage bit.
Overall I loved my day and will be definitely visiting again. Especially when the Sulawesi macaque enclosure is done. The keepers were passionate and I loved chatting with them. I found it funny when one of the maras starting following my mom when she opened her salad.
Im so pleased you had a fantastic day! Really hope our tips and advice helped!
Always love hearing people enjoying my local and favourite zoo
Pandaboi
Well-Known Member
Everyone’s tips really did help! I was making sure to check zoochat Incase I forgot any tips lolIm so pleased you had a fantastic day! Really hope our tips and advice helped!
Always love hearing people enjoying my local and favourite zoo
Brilliant!
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Just got home from the zoo, and it’s one of the best zoos I’ve been to. Its collection is stunning and the enclosures are large and spacious. I felt like I was in the wild looking in on the animals because the barriers were that well hidden. The only thing I didn’t like was that it was extremely confusing to get around the zoo because of the lack of signage to help you where you’re going.
I started my day at the chimpanzees and then walked over to the bird show what was incredible. My favourite species in the show was the Visayan hornbill what tickled my heart when I saw it fly next to me. Hornbills are one of my favourite bird species so it was incredible to see it. It was very informative.
I then went on a walk to the red panda and otter enclosure what was really awesome because of the otters messing around with each over.
The penguin area is fabulous, especially with the view at the back. I love whole area and thought it was a incredible enclosure.
I walked to the African area, this was my favourite part of the day because of the enclosures just looking like the wild. There are no visible barriers from the majority of the enclosures. The animals could get up and close and the rhinos were cool to watch chase each over around. I enjoyed seeing the lions move around with each over and then seeing them from behind the ostrich enclosure.
After the lions I then walked to the cheetahs and hippos. Although I did nearly get knocked out by a child on a scooter, twice… Seeing both hippo species together what really cool to see. It was fascinating to see all the differences from each species. The cheetahs were a no show unfortunately but makes me want to come back again!
The Asian area was lovely to walk around in. I enjoyed the train ride because I as able to grab some photos of the wild horse foal. The train is really nice except the fact the train drivers tried to squeeze a large family next to me and my mother. Though I do understand since they wanted to be able to fit everyone on.
At the end of the day I went to the Elephants, I was there for at least 45 minutes watching the keepers work inside the house getting it prepared for the elephants and also watching the elephant family outside playing and enjoying themselves. The enclosure was fabulous so much room for them to roam I was a huge fan! After I went to the Indian rhinos but unfortunately as soon as I got there the rhino went inside. I believe there is three? Indian rhinos but I wasn’t to sure. I managed to see one of them inside but wasn’t able to take any photos.
Although I don’t like butterflies I still went in for my mom before leaving. The aquarium portion was really cool and I enjoyed seeing the backstage bit.
Overall I loved my day and will be definitely visiting again. Especially when the Sulawesi macaque enclosure is done. The keepers were passionate and I loved chatting with them. I found it funny when one of the maras starting following my mom when she opened her salad.
Glad to hear you had a fantastic Whipsnade day!
Kalaw
Well-Known Member
I believe this is the case. There were also three on Spicer's Field when I last visited (they were signed as being there, so I doubt that they are free-roamers), although I believe that this is only temporarily the case as they await a move to London.
Great to hear that you enjoyed my favourite UK zoo, @Pandaboi !
To be honest, in the last 20 years I've barely ever seen them anywhere other than Passage Thru Asia and Spicer's Field either way..!
Chinese water deer have been free-range at Whipsnade since the park opened in 1931 and in the past there were sometimes two or three hundred of them on-site; although the numbers have reduced enormously in recent years.
I know that recently some of Whipsnade's young Chinese water deer have been hand-reared to protect them from predators but I hadn't heard anything about confining the free-ranging adults to an enclosure.
See link below (from 2020)
Zookeepers handrear unique species of 'vampire' deer | Whipsnade Zoo
And here's a couple of photos I took of hand-reared Chinese water deer fawns (from 2021).
Chinese water deer fawn; Whipsnade; 31st July 2021 - ZooChat/
Chinese water deer fawn; Whipsnade; 31st July 2021 - ZooChat/
Are you saying that the water deer are no longer free-ranging at Whipsnade and are now confined to the Asian drive-through paddock and Spicer's field? If so that's rather sad after almost a century of free-ranging.
However Spicer's field and the Asian drive-through area have long been the best places to see the Chinese water deer anyway (although I've often seen them elsewhere in the zoo too). And the water deer have proved very adept at getting into and out of these enclosures despite the barriers. If they are to be confined I should think significant changes to the fences are needed
Tbh it was just an assumption I made having only seen them in there and having signs in the passage thru Asia.
I could well be wrong!
Whipsnade had a fox proof perimeter fence, until recent years. Its absence means they no longer have Peafowl or Junglefowl. Muntjac would be problematical in view of their current ‘invasive’ status, and I suspect some of the wallaby and Chinese Water Deer on free range get predated as juveniles
Kalaw
Well-Known Member
As mentioned upthread, there was signage for them outside both of those exhibits, which I believe wasn't previously the case (certainly not for Spicer's Field). However, could it be that they are still free-ranging, and the signs are only there as the zoo themselves have also found the free-rangers are more likely to be seen in those two exhibits?
It was just an assumption, and I apologise if it came across as a factual statement. I will try and ask a keeper on the matter if I return to Whipsnade, which I plan on doing fairly soon.
To be honest I don't think that signage is new; I think, as you suggest, it's there because that's where the animals go.
Certainly when I was last there the signage was up and I could see no sign of any changes to the barrier, so I think they are still free-range but just still quite faithful to their favourite spots.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
I've seen them wandering around in other places a few times when it has been quiet (in the whipsnade mound space and particularly back out over the side with the Indian rhino near the elephants in that long stand of trees near the visayan pigs) and they seem to confine themselves to particular areas vs being confined.
Reptile House
Well-Known Member
Did I read somewhere that Wallabies have escaped from the park and managed to breed and now live wild outside the park?
cerperal
Well-Known Member
So many in fact that they're starting to be classed as one of our mammals - they're apparently very successfully breeding. There's been loads of attempts to map them but the amount of sightings and the fact they're spreading everywhere is starting to make it like trying to map squirrels. In my area there's been a constant population for at least a decade up by RAF Odiham.
That said, I don't think Whipsnade has had a massive issue with losing them. Most are ex-pets or from poorly managed collections. But it's a good way of understanding how Australia is in places very similar to old Blighty.
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