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That’s dreadful news. If they were imported from Nepal, were they born in the wild? If so, that makes them doubly important in regards to blood.

What are the chances of Whipsnade being able to source replacements? How’s the European population looking?
 
Both females were wild born from Nepal, but both had a number of calves so their dna is saved. Both had been retired from breeding due to their health and age ( and maybe also because they had enough offspring) years ago.
 
It should be no problem for Whipsnade to get new rhinos, they are breeding well in Europe to the point that breeding restrictions due to lack of space are in place.
 
Baringogiraffe12 said:
If indeed they’ve lost both their adult females, it leaves them with just the one left, the bull Hugo. A damn shame if they are down to one left, the two females were genetically important having arrived from Nepal & have produced numerous offspring since their arrival at the back end of the 1990’s.
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To be precise, both of these female Indian rhinos arrived at London Zoo on 29th April 1997; "Beluki" was sent to Whipsnade on 22nd September 1998 while "Behan" stayed a little longer in London and was sent to Whipsnade on 3rd November 1998. (I saw both of them numerous times on the Cotton Terraces at London Zoo, where they were housed in what is now the Okapi House.)
 
Tim May said:
To be precise, both of these female Indian rhinos arrived at London Zoo on 29th April 1997; "Beluki" was sent to Whipsnade on 22nd September 1998 while "Behan" stayed a little longer in London and was sent to Whipsnade on 3rd November 1998. (I saw both of them numerous times on the Cotton Terraces at London Zoo, where they were housed in what is now the Okapi House.)
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Thanks Tim. I had no idea at all that rhinoceros (indian or otherwise) were kept on the cotton terraces so late!
 
If indeed confirmed, this does mark the end of a significanty successful period for ZSL’s GOH rhino breeding program as both cows were prolific breeders and successful mothers.

However, as yet, I’ve found no confirmation from ZSL that Behan has passed away
 
Panthera1981 said:
If indeed confirmed, this does mark the end of a significanty successful period for ZSL’s GOH rhino breeding program as both cows were prolific breeders and successful mothers.

However, as yet, I’ve found no confirmation from ZSL that Behan has passed away
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She's still listed on the site, they usually take them down pretty fast. Considering Beluki made the BBC local news, I'd hope it would be reported somewhere if it is the case.

Greater one-horned rhino | Whipsnade Zoo
 
Lafone said:
She's still listed on the site, they usually take them down pretty fast. Considering Beluki made the BBC local news, I'd hope it would be reported somewhere if it is the case.

Greater one-horned rhino | Whipsnade Zoo
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I'm wondering if there is confusion here over what was said, and that Behan is in fact still alive. As you say its likely it would be reported somewhere officially about her demise and she is still featured on the website.
 
I messaged the instagram page about Behan and yes she sadly passed 11th march so only last week. So they maybe still processing the news before it’s publicly announced or sometimes they don’t always wants to publicised deaths of an animal.
 
Rosie183 said:
I messaged the instagram page about Behan and yes she sadly passed 11th march so only last week. So they maybe still processing the news before it’s publicly announced or sometimes they don’t always wants to publicised deaths of an animal.
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It’s sad to hear but good to have it confirmed.

Five calves is quite the contribution to have made as well as being great to watch. It’s a shame for the keepers to have just Hugo remaining after all the hard work to try and save both her and Beluki but they have been a very successful holding for the zoo.
 
Well, there we have it. Very sad for all concerned, but a life, along with Beluki’s, certainly well lived.

Personally, there’s too many memories for me to recall. However, one sticks out of witnessing a very belligerent Behan charging after Beluki (whilst heavily pregnant with her first calf Asha) after being rammed in the backside! Behan subsequently gave birth a week later
 
Sad to hear this confirmation but perhaps not surprising. I saw (and photo'd) her last year but only in the distance out in her paddock. I remember her better from a few years previously with her most recent (and last) calf Zhiwa, who I thought then would be the last G.I rhino born at the zoo for some time to come. End of an era now leaving Hugo as the only G. I. Rhino at Whipsnade at present but I'm sure they will get a replacement(s).
 
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Tim May said:
(I saw both of them numerous times on the Cotton Terraces at London Zoo, where they were housed in what is now the Okapi House.)
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When I saw them there one or both were bathing in the watermoat which could be accessed by underwater 'safety' steps on the animal's side of the enclosures.
 
Pertinax said:
When I saw them there one or both were bathing in the watermoat which could be accessed by underwater 'safety' steps on the animal's side of the enclosures.
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Hi Pertinax, do you happen to have any photos of the Indian Rhinos in London?
 
Cat-Man said:
Hi Pertinax, do you happen to have any photos of the Indian Rhinos in London?
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I am afraid not. I was on a fleeting visit to the Zoo (I was living abroad at the time) and no time for photos. It would be interesting if anyone could produce any images of those two rhinos on the Cotton Terraces.
 
Pertinax said:
I am afraid not. I was on a fleeting visit to the Zoo (I was living abroad at the time) and no time for photos. It would be interesting if anyone could produce any images of those two rhinos on the Cotton Terraces.
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That's a shame. Thanks anyway!
 
Cat-Man said:
That's a shame. Thanks anyway!
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I’m sure there’s a photo in the Whipsnade media pages.

On a separate note, how successful have Behan and Beluki’s offspring been regarding breeding? I’m aware Asha (Behan x Jaffna) has proved to be very successful at Chester.
 
Pertinax said:
I am afraid not. I was on a fleeting visit to the Zoo (I was living abroad at the time) and no time for photos. It would be interesting if anyone could produce any images of those two rhinos on the Cotton Terraces.
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They were featured on the ITV series - Zoo Story that was being filmed at ZSL during that period. Unfortunately the series isn't available anywhere online at present. I've been looking for several years
 
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