ZSL Whipsnade Zoo ZSL Whipsnade Zoo News 2024
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Lafone
Well-Known Member
Been going on for a couple of months now, some photos previously in the thread and the area has been a bit extended as well as a lot of fencing removed. Interesting to see how it is now dividing up. Could be where the Banteng are going, though not quite in the right place for the geographical split, perhaps seperation for the zebra. Or a future male and breeding for the waterbuck who would need to be divided into their sub groups for that I guess and which could be exciting.
Kalaw
Well-Known Member
Is there still a zebra stallion in the former moose enclosure near the chimpanzees? If so, then this could be his new home with his current enclosure then becoming something more interesting.
However, I think that the banteng is a more likely suggestion, as it would match the zoo-geographical arrangement. Right opposite is the entrance to Passage through Asia while the gaur and Nilgai paddocks are just below with Monkey Forest not far off. Yes, it doesn’t match with the Caribbean Flamingos, but they don’t really match the African zone either. Whipsnade’s geographical zones never feel that well-defined and it is hard to tell where one starts and the other ends, so banteng between zebras and gaur isn’t exactly the worst thing. Much better than lemurs and chimpanzees opposite lynx and wild boar!
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Is there still a zebra stallion in the former moose enclosure near the chimpanzees? If so, then this could be his new home with his current enclosure then becoming something more interesting.
However, I think that the banteng is a more likely suggestion, as it would match the zoo-geographical arrangement. Right opposite is the entrance to Passage through Asia while the gaur and Nilgai paddocks are just below with Monkey Forest not far off. Yes, it doesn’t match with the Caribbean Flamingos, but they don’t really match the African zone either. Whipsnade’s geographical zones never feel that well-defined and it is hard to tell where one starts and the other ends, so banteng between zebras and gaur isn’t exactly the worst thing. Much better than lemurs and chimpanzees opposite lynx and wild boar!
Yes the male zebra has been over there and also was mixed back in with the female on a recent visit, much chasing around and the youngster seperated, into the smaller area that had temporary fencing. Next visit he was back in near the bison again. Perhaps the ability to split the enclosure allows them to manage the zebras more easily.
The Banteng would be the more obvious choice. As you say not too contradictory region wise.
Will be a shame if they split the whole area into much smaller spaces, though you need a pretty large mixed group to make an impressive display it's a rather lovely area for the waterbuck and zebra. So hopefully it will still be sizeable for all.
I think the work will mean they will be able to keep the station there so it’s easy to manage. I would suspect the enclosure where the stallion is kept would be added to the European bison paddock.
IMO, the area that once held Musk Ox has always seemed rather wasted since the Musk Ox died out. It’s held a variety of breeding male hoofstock, most notably Moose and Zebra, but nothing of any long term substance. Hopefully this paddock is in the zoo’s future plans - maybe increase the European bison numbers perhaps?
I think it will be added to the bison paddock, just removing the fencing. I think that would be a good move.
When the male zebra was back in with the female the bison had access to this area though a gate so not even a need to remove the fencing.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Good day out at Whipsnade today, very warm but lots of animal activity. Pretty busy visitor wise but not too crazy. The weather forecast was initially for thunderstorms so I didn't follow my birding plan for the day, as it turned out there were none, but I wasn't sorry to find myself at the zoo on top of the downs.
The visiting rhino is indeed quite red! I imagine the soil from his old location will wash off in the end but he's quite a surprising colour in comparison to the usual residents.
The Birds of the world arena signage has been updated and the white stork graphic art has been replaced.
During the show it was mentioned one of the Visyan Tarictic hornbills has a breeding recommendation and will be off to Holland soon so is no longer in the display. The remaining three brothers put on a good show. The show talk drew attention to the work ZSL has been doing with the conservation of Corncrakes - while that's been going on for a few years it's great to hear support for our native birds highlighted in the show.
Owl wood offered some welcome shade and peace and quiet, the magpies were super active.
As well as the updated fencing and paddock division in the waterbuck / zebra paddock mentioned above, a new fence and hard standing has been installed in the corner the chainlink fence used to run to opposite the lions. This makes for improved views across the paddock and will make the area less liable to flood and become a bog in the wetter months. Should prove a much better area to be in in Winter.
Was fun to see the Visyan warty piglets now the family is all back together and using the whole enclosure.
Was also lovely to see the crane chicks making progress (and some active dragonflies in the crane pond). Whipsnade is a good spot for all sorts of wildlife and it was nice to see a group of juvenile Lapwings roaming around in the grass next to the road in the Passage through Asia.
The visiting rhino is indeed quite red! I imagine the soil from his old location will wash off in the end but he's quite a surprising colour in comparison to the usual residents.
The Birds of the world arena signage has been updated and the white stork graphic art has been replaced.
During the show it was mentioned one of the Visyan Tarictic hornbills has a breeding recommendation and will be off to Holland soon so is no longer in the display. The remaining three brothers put on a good show. The show talk drew attention to the work ZSL has been doing with the conservation of Corncrakes - while that's been going on for a few years it's great to hear support for our native birds highlighted in the show.
Owl wood offered some welcome shade and peace and quiet, the magpies were super active.
As well as the updated fencing and paddock division in the waterbuck / zebra paddock mentioned above, a new fence and hard standing has been installed in the corner the chainlink fence used to run to opposite the lions. This makes for improved views across the paddock and will make the area less liable to flood and become a bog in the wetter months. Should prove a much better area to be in in Winter.
Was fun to see the Visyan warty piglets now the family is all back together and using the whole enclosure.
Was also lovely to see the crane chicks making progress (and some active dragonflies in the crane pond). Whipsnade is a good spot for all sorts of wildlife and it was nice to see a group of juvenile Lapwings roaming around in the grass next to the road in the Passage through Asia.
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Yes I saw that last Thursday while I was looking around the zoo after I delivered the Scratching Pad for the elephants
Baringogiraffe12
Well-Known Member
0,1 Indian rhino ‘Beluki’ has been euthanised due to inoperable tumours on her reproductive organs. This leave ZSL Whipsnade with 1,1.
Such sad news, but shes no longer suffering from the tumours.
my thoughts go out to the keepers and vets.
Very sad, but her legacy lives on with the offspring she produced. It was the presence of these tumours that abruptly halted her continued breeding.
I’ve very fond memories of both Beluki and Behan since their arrival, particularly putting both breeding bulls Jaffna, and his successor Hugo, in their place!
Extremely sad news. She'd been at Whipsnade since the autumn of 1998 after spending sometime on the Cotton Terraces at London Zoo (in what is now the Okapi House).
Very sad. I remember seeing them on the Cotton Terraces soon after their arrival at London. And saw them again finally in the distance when I visited a few weeks ago back in June. Photographed both. Without checking, I can't remember if Beluki is the one who had the more calves, or was it Behan? I saw the last calf at Whipsnade about 4 years ago too.
If Whipsnade want to recommence breeding now, a new female will need to be obtained.
Behan produced more offspring as Beluki had lived with tumours for many years, which curtailed her continued breeding. Funnily enough it was Behan that seemed to initially produce only female offspring and Beluki male! Let’s not forget that both cows have produced a legacy for GOH rhinos in the UK, with Asha at Chester and Rap at West Mids.
If ZSL still have relations with the Nepalese government perhaps they can source from them, much like they did with Behan and Beluki
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Presumably that is why Beluki had much the more advanced tumours, given she stopped breeding a long time ago now.
I would think it would be easier to source a new young female from Europe, given there are many zoos breeding them nowadays. But importation may not be so easy given current restrictions and bureaucratic delays.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
What very sad news. You get so used to seeing these amazing animals over the years.
Such a lot of enjoyment brought to visitors and a good legacy left but still such a shame and must be a hard time for the keepers and staff.
Further details about Whipsnade's female Indian rhinos "Behan" and "Beluki" from Watford Observer.
Whipsnade Zoo 'heartbroken' as one-horned rhino put down | Watford Observer
According to this article "Behan" made a remarkable recovery. Note too the specialist vets from Germany.
Whipsnade Zoo 'heartbroken' as one-horned rhino put down | Watford Observer
According to this article "Behan" made a remarkable recovery. Note too the specialist vets from Germany.
Also an excellent piece, and more thorough detail, on the Whipsnade pages of the ZSL website