Sorry for my own inaccuracy, but very glad to hear they are all together now as I was concerned at one point that it didn't look like it would ever be the case. My knowledge isn't the best as I haven't visited since December 2022 (hopefully I will put that right in the next few months) and in fact a lot of it is thanks to your (as well as those of other members) very helpful updates!
The current warty pig enclosure was built for rhinos. Before the warty pigs, it was used as temporary accommodation for a few scimitar-horned oryx; prior to that it housed gaur and before that Indian rhinoceros.
Thanks for confirming that the oryx were there, I was worried that I was misremembering that. Presumably the gate between the two was used to connect the paddocks when Indian Rhinoceros were held, and has been unused ever since. Either way, an interesting detail that hints to the zoo's history, and it is wonderful that, even after ten visits, there are still surprises around every corner at Whipsnade.
To be honest, I'm not sure what gate you're referring to. I don't recall ever seeing the current warty pig enclosure connected to the nearby Indian rhino enclosure.
Google images of baby Spiny Turtles to find out why. They look quite different to adults.
I seem to remember there is a pair(?) of 'kissing' gates(unused) between the two paddocks, maybe that's what is being referred to. Or am I wrong on that...
Yes, those were the gates I was referring to. As Lafone mentions, they are positioned so that, if both open, they could connect the two enclosures, which is what led me to believe they were intended to connect the enclosures. It seems as though they were never actually used.
Sorry I overlooked "@Kalow's" photograph, thank you for bringing it to my attention; now I understand exactly what gate is under discussion
Thank you. I didn't realise these gates were a relatively recent addition.
Strange to think that the current warty pig enclosure once held rhinos. The outdoor paddock would be fine, but they would barely have been able to move within that indoor space - it was too small for the gaur as well, but an excellent fit for the warty pigs. How recently were Jaffna and Hugo kept in that space?
Yes I remember those days, so many in the future would be perplexed with such an idea with zoo animal welfare on the increase. Can’t put a year on it though?
Off topic to a degree (and about another zoo, no less) but that anecdote reminds me of when Marwell's white rhinos were temporarily moved to a smaller house while the new African exhibit was being developed. I distinctly remember the bull on the hard standing outside the house and pushed up against the singular set of (admittedly heavy duty) iron bars that separated him from visitors. Being the child I was at the time, I went right up to said bars and put my hand on his flank.
