ZSL Whipsnade Zoo ZSL Whipsnade Zoo News 2024

Pertinax said:
I suspect they may have been shut outside as the house was closed?
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Sorry I meant the house was closed to visitors. The Langurs went back in and out of their entrances a couple of times (as did the Babirusa they were running in and out a lot), this was just the first time I had seen them spending extended time outside. I am sure they have done it before, but it was fun to see them dozing and the playing about in the tall trees in the nicer weather.
 
aquilla1 said:
Interesting to read about Berlin getting a Gaur bull and restarting the Gaur breeding program, 3 bulls imported apparently and ZSL with 3 cows there!!
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Have you got a source on 3 bulls being imported? As far as I know Berlin didn't divulge where their new bull came from but as I mentioned in that thread apparently they intend to breed. If there truly are more bulls being imported I would put money on Whipsnade gaining one.
 
If you look further back in one of the Berlin chats it says about the import of 3 bulls from India, I think and it talks about the reversal of the decision to phase out the Gaur breeding program!!
 
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aquilla1 said:
If you look further back in one of the Berlin chats it says about the import of 3 bulls from India
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Those bulls were imported by a different zoo, I believe one in Spain, in previous years. Berlin has one bull - I've seen him personally.

aquilla1 said:
I think and it talks about the reversal of the decision to phase out the Gaur breeding program!!
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Yes, that was me :D I spoke to a keeper in Berlin. I have hope for Whipsnade to gain a bull based on that
 
cerperal said:
Those bulls were imported by a different zoo, I believe one in Spain, in previous years. Berlin has one bull - I've seen him personally.


Yes, that was me :D I spoke to a keeper in Berlin. I have hope for Whipsnade to gain a bull based on that
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Any idea when the new bulls arrived? Would Whipsnade have to wait for offspring?
 
aquilla1 said:
Any idea when the new bulls arrived? Would Whipsnade have to wait for offspring?
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They're already in Europe, hence one already being in Berlin. Zlin imported a pair of bulls in 2019, a zoo in Spain also holds a herd which apparently has a bull.

In case anyone misinterprets what's being said here - there's absolutely nothing to suggest, at least in the short term, any other zoos will be gaining a bull gaur. Berlin's was completely unexpected and one of the few bulls left in Europe. That said, if Berlin is anything to go by - along with the recent EEP discussions - the phase out does seem to be canned. In that case, I would not be surprised to see Whipsnade gaining a bull as soon as possible given previous breeding success and a female herd.

ajmcwhipsnade said:
A new bull Gaur at Whipsnade would be brilliant! Why would the decision have been changed? Not that I’m complaining!
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This is where Berlin being able to do what it wants effectively is a benefit to all zoos. There's two real options, the first being Berlin have decided to go ahead and independently breed them because they want to ensure Gaur survive in Europe. The second is arguably far more exciting - the EEP has apparently been discussing Gaur recently and are going to roll back the phase-out decision. This is unconfirmed but personally I find this more likely.

My own take is that I would simmer our excitement in preparation for an announcement within the next few years. The phase out was bloody silly in the first place anyway!
 
cerperal said:
They're already in Europe, hence one already being in Berlin. Zlin imported a pair of bulls in 2019, a zoo in Spain also holds a herd which apparently has a bull.

In case anyone misinterprets what's being said here - there's absolutely nothing to suggest, at least in the short term, any other zoos will be gaining a bull gaur. Berlin's was completely unexpected and one of the few bulls left in Europe. That said, if Berlin is anything to go by - along with the recent EEP discussions - the phase out does seem to be canned. In that case, I would not be surprised to see Whipsnade gaining a bull as soon as possible given previous breeding success and a female herd.


This is where Berlin being able to do what it wants effectively is a benefit to all zoos. There's two real options, the first being Berlin have decided to go ahead and independently breed them because they want to ensure Gaur survive in Europe. The second is arguably far more exciting - the EEP has apparently been discussing Gaur recently and are going to roll back the phase-out decision. This is unconfirmed but personally I find this more likely.

My own take is that I would simmer our excitement in preparation for an announcement within the next few years. The phase out was bloody silly in the first place anyway!
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They are amazing animals and more breeding success would be absolutely fantastic. Like you say it’s probably best to not get too carried away but it definitely promising!
 
aquilla1 said:
I never said it was Berlin who imported them, just excited as I think Gaur are one of the highlights of Whipsnade and far more interesting than Banteng, which are more available!!
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Banteng are actually an animal I really want to see and haven’t yet had the chance to!
 
cerperal said:
They're already in Europe, hence one already being in Berlin. Zlin imported a pair of bulls in 2019, a zoo in Spain also holds a herd which apparently has a bull.

In case anyone misinterprets what's being said here - there's absolutely nothing to suggest, at least in the short term, any other zoos will be gaining a bull gaur. Berlin's was completely unexpected and one of the few bulls left in Europe. That said, if Berlin is anything to go by - along with the recent EEP discussions - the phase out does seem to be canned. In that case, I would not be surprised to see Whipsnade gaining a bull as soon as possible given previous breeding success and a female herd.


This is where Berlin being able to do what it wants effectively is a benefit to all zoos. There's two real options, the first being Berlin have decided to go ahead and independently breed them because they want to ensure Gaur survive in Europe. The second is arguably far more exciting - the EEP has apparently been discussing Gaur recently and are going to roll back the phase-out decision. This is unconfirmed but personally I find this more likely.

My own take is that I would simmer our excitement in preparation for an announcement within the next few years. The phase out was bloody silly in the first place anyway!
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Most interesting, thanks for the insight and hopefully a future for Gaur, nothing against Banteng by the way, I just remember the Gaur at London when I worked there, they were so impressive!!
 
I think my view of banteng has been distorted by Marwell being my childhood zoo and therefore I've probably seen more banteng than domestic cows - gaur on the other hand have always eluded me at Whipsnade, despite my 5 visits over the past decade.

It's a real annoyance to me that the gaur population in Europe was more than just stable but incredibly healthy, mostly due to breeding at Whipsnade and in Berlin, and the plug was randomly pulled to focus on the already more prevalent banteng. Whipsnade certainly has what I would call the best gaur exhibit in husbandry terms, and it is a shame such a large paddock has only 3 females (and breeding age females to rub it in!). So should more bulls be shared I would be amazed if Whipsnade wasn't top of the list; having done a wee bit more research, only Zlin, Berlin, Caberceno, Obterre and Paris hold more than one individual and with Berlin now gaining a bull only Whipsnade is without a male. To rub even more salt in the wound, all the other mentioned zoos have at least 2 bulls each. Therefore...maybe we increase the excitement from a simmer to something slightly more lively.
 
Lafone said:
Sorry I meant the house was closed to visitors. The Langurs went back in and out of their entrances a couple of times (as did the Babirusa they were running in and out a lot), this was just the first time I had seen them spending extended time outside. I am sure they have done it before, but it was fun to see them dozing and the playing about in the tall trees in the nicer weather.
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Yes, so they would be shut out so people could see them....it sounds highly likely to me as otherwise as you said they are only utsi
cerperal said:
I think my view of banteng has been distorted by Marwell being my childhood zoo and therefore I've probably seen more banteng than domestic cows - gaur on the other hand have always eluded me at Whipsnade, despite my 5 visits over the past decade.

It's a real annoyance to me that the gaur population in Europe was more than just stable but incredibly healthy, mostly due to breeding at Whipsnade and in Berlin, and the plug was randomly pulled to focus on the already more prevalent banteng. Whipsnade certainly has what I would call the best gaur exhibit in husbandry terms, and it is a shame such a large paddock has only 3 females (and breeding age females to rub it in!). So should more bulls be shared I would be amazed if Whipsnade wasn't top of the list; having done a wee bit more research, only Zlin, Berlin, Caberceno, Obterre and Paris hold more than one individual and with Berlin now gaining a bull only Whipsnade is without a male. To rub even more salt in the wound, all the other mentioned zoos have at least 2 bulls each. Therefore...maybe we increase the excitement from a simmer to something slightly more lively.
Click to expand...
 
I missed the Gaur when I was at Whipsnade recently but have seen them many times previously. If the 'phase-out' reversal is/becomes official, its possible Whipsnade will seek to obtain a bull a.s.ap. in line with any EEP recommendation in that direction. Lets hope so as they are a magnificent species.
 
Pertinax said:
Yes, so they would be shut out so people could see them....it sounds highly likely to me as otherwise as you said they are only utsi
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They were going in and out of the house and the entries were open (you can see them from the gate end which is a good place to stand to watch them run back inside via the slack lines you get a nice head on shot that way photo wise). They just seemed to be enjoying spending a lot more time outside which I guess is the case for them and the macaques in the warmer weather and in the winter we will hardly see them! The sign mentioned you might not see them.
 
They’ve certainly teased the arrival of Banteng on the website


Indonesia Weekend 17-18 August
Join us for our Indonesia Weekend celebrations at Monkey Forest

What do a pig, cow, tiny buffalo and a tiger all have in common?
They are all found in Indonesia, all are important parts of the ecosystem and all are threatened with extinction.

So, to mark Action Indonesia Day which falls in August, join us at Monkey Forest habitat to celebrate and raise awareness for our Babirusa, Anoa and Banteng.”

Summer days out at Whipsnade Zoo | Whipsnade Zoo

The Banteng don’t have a link but it appears to be an indicator (unless someone has made an error but they are usually quite good at removing website stuff).
 
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