ZSL Whipsnade Zoo ZSL Whipsnade Zoo News 2025

[Kalaw]

That's really sad news, The Indian Gaur are one of my favourites at the zoo... hopefully they bring in more but I'm doubtful as they have just brought in Javan Banteng.

With the decision to phase the species out from Europe having been reversed, and with Whipsnade having some of the largest and best facilities for the species in the continent, it would be weird if ZSL not only don't acquire a bull soon, but phase out the species entirely. I still maintain faith that a breeding herd at Whipsnade is the long-term goal, but I agree with you that the arrival of banteng leave me sceptical.

Philippine Spotted Deer was having a wander in the warty pigs enclosure. The pigs seem to have been restricted to their harder standing area recently, maybe to save the ground.

Would be a real shame if the arrival of the deer means a reduction in the pigs' space, as I can't see the hard-standing area providing sufficient space for the number Whipsnade hold. If the pigs damaging ground the deer intend to graze on proves an issue, then I would much prefer if the deer moved over to Passage, rather than the pigs having their area restricted.

On the subject, an issue that has only just occurred to me about this new deer / pig mix - are the stables big enough for both species? They always felt just barely big enough for the pigs, never mind new animals. And because I don't remember it being mentioned (apologies if it has), how many spotted deer are at Whipsnade? If it's too large a herd then issues of indoor space could become quite prevalent...

 

[Lafone]

With the decision to phase the species out from Europe having been reversed, and with Whipsnade having some of the largest and best facilities for the species in the continent, it would be weird if ZSL not only don't acquire a bull soon, but phase out the species entirely. I still maintain faith that a breeding herd at Whipsnade is the long-term goal, but I agree with you that the arrival of banteng leave me sceptical.
Would be a real shame if the arrival of the deer means a reduction in the pigs' space, as I can't see the hard-standing area providing sufficient space for the number Whipsnade hold. If the pigs damaging ground the deer intend to graze on proves an issue, then I would much prefer if the deer moved over to Passage, rather than the pigs having their area restricted.

On the subject, an issue that has only just occurred to me about this new deer / pig mix - are the stables big enough for both species? They always felt just barely big enough for the pigs, never mind new animals. And because I don't remember it being mentioned (apologies if it has), how many spotted deer are at Whipsnade? If it's too large a herd then issues of indoor space could become quite prevalent...

According to one of the Keepers the deer and pigs are just being separated for introductions and they are using the enclosure in rotation.

The pigs have the main part of the house and the outdoor space at the rear. The deer have the indoor space you can see into through the barred window near the gate which has a room of that and there is a second outdoor space at the front of that.

There seems to be room for everyone - I expect they will only add one female deer to the male to start with. The pigs haven't cut up the enclosure since they had access to it except in the bit by the edge where they trundle along and even that has stood up fairly well.

The zoo separated the pigs into two groups and rotated them using the equivalent accomodation when the piglets arrived and it seemed to work out ok.

 

[Kalaw]

According to one of the Keepers the deer and pigs are just being separated for introductions and they are using the enclosure in rotation.

The pigs have the main part of the house and the outdoor space at the rear. The deer have the indoor space you can see into through the barred window near the gate which has a room of that and there is a second outdoor space at the front of that.

There seems to be room for everyone - I expect they will only add one female deer to the male to start with. The pigs haven't cut up the enclosure since they had access to it except in the bit by the edge where they trundle along and even that has stood up fairly well.

The zoo separated the pigs into two groups and rotated them using the equivalent accomodation when the piglets arrived and it seemed to work out ok.

That's good, thanks. I too noticed that the zoo has been doing a very good job at preventing the pigs from damaging the ground (presumably the sheer size of the enclosure is enough to ensure certain areas don't become overly dug up), which is why I expected the mix to succeed - more so than Colchester's attempt in a much smaller space that the pigs tore apart, for example - and was therefore disappointed to hear that it may not be. Relieved to hear there is another reason, and I look forward to seeing the two species sharing that space in person one day soon.

 

[Lafone]

That's good, thanks. I too noticed that the zoo has been doing a very good job at preventing the pigs from damaging the ground (presumably the sheer size of the enclosure is enough to ensure certain areas don't become overly dug up), which is why I expected the mix to succeed - more so than Colchester's attempt in a much smaller space that the pigs tore apart, for example - and was therefore disappointed to hear that it may not be. Relieved to hear there is another reason, and I look forward to seeing the two species sharing that space in person one day soon.

Yes the Colchester outdoor area looked like a dust bowl when I visited in the summer and it looked like only a thin surface of mud was left in winter too. The Whipsnade area drains quite well as it has that moat equivalent around it so it doesn't turn into a swamp like the area near the elephants and the pigs have wandered through it evenly vs focusing in one area which probably helps. They like that corner pond area at the end too (eating the weed in it!) which also has a hard standing around it. The pigs do appear to be spending more time in the yard, but I guess Whipsnade manage them a bit like the boar to ensure they have some enclosure left.

 

[JoB198]

Yes the Colchester outdoor area looked like a dust bowl when I visited in the summer and it looked like only a thin surface of mud was left in winter too. The Whipsnade area drains quite well as it has that moat equivalent around it so it doesn't turn into a swamp like the area near the elephants and the pigs have wandered through it evenly vs focusing in one area which probably helps. They like that corner pond area at the end too (eating the weed in it!) which also has a hard standing around it. The pigs do appear to be spending more time in the yard, but I guess Whipsnade manage them a bit like the boar to ensure they have some enclosure left.

This is basically what I concluded. Rotation when the ground is likely to be most churned up. The big grass enclosure isn't in a bad state, but with the amount of rain we've had recently, it makes sense not to unnecessarily put some hardcore rooters like the pigs into it.

Something else I saw today which I assumed was a similar situation was the 2 Dartmoors and the Shetland pony going for a walk out to the Downs. Presumably gives the grass in their paddock a bit of a break (because ponies can be VERY churny) and gives them something different to sniff, look at, listen to, etc.

 

[FBBird]

According to one of the Keepers the deer and pigs are just being separated for introductions and they are using the enclosure in rotation.

The pigs have the main part of the house and the outdoor space at the rear. The deer have the indoor space you can see into through the barred window near the gate which has a room of that and there is a second outdoor space at the front of that.

There seems to be room for everyone - I expect they will only add one female deer to the male to start with. The pigs haven't cut up the enclosure since they had access to it except in the bit by the edge where they trundle along and even that has stood up fairly well.

The zoo separated the pigs into two groups and rotated them using the equivalent accomodation when the piglets arrived and it seemed to work out ok.

Philippine Spotted Deer live in small family groups rather than in herds

 

[Lafone]

Philippine Spotted Deer live in small family groups rather than in herds

Yes and as they have a male I expect they will add a female at some point as mentioned. And then, if fortunate, there might be a fawn to add to the mix. So they won't get too large as a group to share the enclosure.

 

[Pertinax]

Yes and as they have a male I expect they will add a female at some point as mentioned. And then, if fortunate, there might be a fawn to add to the mix. So they won't get too large as a group to share the enclosure.

I don't know anywhere that have kept more than a few Phillipine deer together, its usually a pair or trio with offspring. Newquay have bred several but essentially only keep a pair at any time. Chester had up to nine at one stage some years ago, but in about three seperate groups. I saw around 4 together at Colchester one time but mainly it is pairs though.

 

[Rajang-GOAT]

I don't know anywhere that have kept more than a few Phillipine deer together, its usually a pair or trio with offspring. Newquay have bred several but essentially only keep a pair at any time. Chester had up to nine at one stage some years ago, but in about three seperate groups. I saw around 4 together at Colchester one time but mainly it is pairs though.

It's currently 4 at Colchester, the breeding pair and then calves born in January and December 2024, like you describe. I'm not sure if there was more than one female or not in the previous breeding group (5-6 years ago) though.

 

[Lafone]

Reminder of the winter closures at Whipsnade and London for annual maintenance via members email.

Whipsnade and London Zoo spruce up
We’re taking some time this January to give our zoos some extra love and attention. We’ll be closing both of our zoos for 10 weekdays this month, so we can devote time to tackle some of the jobs that are difficult or unsafe to do with visitors around.

We’ll still be open every weekend, but from Monday 20 to Friday 24 January, and again the following week from Monday 27 to Friday 31 January, both London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo will be closed. All weekends will be open as usual, so you can still get your Zoo visits in. This is so all colleagues – from zookeepers to scientists and everyone in between – can muck in and help to mend, paint, clean, sweep, sow, plant and renew parts of our zoos.

 

[Lafone]

An article on the annual stock take mentioned 6 Flamingo chicks born last year. I’ve counted a few times but good to see it confirmed.

Another strong year of breeding for the excellent Flamingo flock (and the zoo of course) and it’s been great to see all the youngsters at the different stages.

3.3K views · 168 reactions | The 2025 Whipsnade Zoo Annual Stocktake Our Zookeepers have kicked off the year by counting every mammal, bird, reptile, fish and invertebrate as part of our Annual Stocktake. 2024 proved to be a bumper year for births at the Zoo, as we welcomed our giraffe calves Myra and Timba, six flamingo chicks, and two white rhino calves. Following the count, we will share the final numbers with zoos and aquariums around the world via Species360, an international database which helps conservationists to manage important breeding programmes for endangered species. | Whipsnade Zoo

 

[Tim May]

According to the recent e-mail to ZSL Fellows, both London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo will be closed from 20th - 24th January and 27th - 31st January "so we can devote time to tackling some of the jobs that are difficult or unsafe to do with visitors around".

 

[JoB198]

Because going to the zoo seems to be what we do on a weekend at the moment... notable thoughts from today:
- there's now some Chinese Water Deer in with the Southern White Rhino which seem new (to that enclosure) (and random given the continental mix!)?
- hog deer are back in the enclosure opposite the waterbuck/zebra (next to the entrance to Passage Through Asia)
- the baby macaque spent some brief time not being carried today, and was very lively (and then mum seemed to decide that it was easier if she was holding it!)
- the wild boarlets are growing insanely quickly

Aside from that, major thing to observe was the weather - some great photo opportunities as the zoo was sitting above the fog-line whilst the valley was filled with it!

 

[Lafone]

Because going to the zoo seems to be what we do on a weekend at the moment... notable thoughts from today:
- there's now some Chinese Water Deer in with the Southern White Rhino which seem new (to that enclosure) (and random given the continental mix!)?
- hog deer are back in the enclosure opposite the waterbuck/zebra (next to the entrance to Passage Through Asia)
- the baby macaque spent some brief time not being carried today, and was very lively (and then mum seemed to decide that it was easier if she was holding it!)
- the wild boarlets are growing insanely quickly

Aside from that, major thing to observe was the weather - some great photo opportunities as the zoo was sitting above the fog-line whilst the valley was filled with it!

Sounds like a good day out! The Chinese water deer have been allowed in that enclosure for some time, they have had fawns over the last couple of years, though there are others in A Passage through Asia.

 

[JoB198]

Sounds like a good day out! The Chinese water deer have been allowed in that enclosure for some time, they have had fawns over the last couple of years, though there are others in A Passage through Asia.

Huh! First time we've seen any in there. We don't often walk around the side of the enclosure near the restaurant and it's the first time we've seen a sign for them. The antelope were much more prominent in there today (only saw the one rhino patrolling and scent marking) than they often seem.

 

[Tim May]

...there's now some Chinese Water Deer in with the Southern White Rhino which seem new (to that enclosure) (and random given the continental mix!)?

I've seen Chinese water deer in the white rhinoceros enclosure many times over the years. Aren't the Chinese water deer free-ranging any longer? They always used to be.

 

[JoB198]

I've seen Chinese water deer in the white rhinoceros enclosure many times over the years. Aren't the Chinese water deer free-ranging any longer? They always used to be.

As I said above, only seen them for the first time today, and signage seemed new so assumed they were new.

As far as I'm aware, the only free-roaming animals are mara and wallabies. I'm sure there used to be extensive peacocks free-roaming when I was a kid.

 

[Lafone]

I've seen Chinese water deer in the white rhinoceros enclosure many times over the years. Aren't the Chinese water deer free-ranging any longer? They always used to be.

They don't free range across the whole zoo any more though they can be found wandering about in the 'wrong' areas, they do the usual CWD thing of getting in and out of places they shouldn't. They are signed in two places and not as free ranging any more, the overall number is also lower in recent years.

 

[Tim May]

As far as I'm aware, the only free-roaming animals are mara and wallabies. I'm sure there used to be extensive peacocks free-roaming when I was a kid.

As you mention the mara and wallabies are free-ranging; I too remember numerous free-ranging peafowl years ago.

The Chinese water deer and Reeves' muntjac used to be free-ranging too. There are no longer any muntjac at Whipsnade (according to the latest inventory) and I was unaware the water deer were no longer free-ranging.

They don't free range across the whole zoo any more though they can be found wandering about in the 'wrong' areas, they do the usual CWD thing of getting in and out of places they shouldn't. They are signed in two places and not as free ranging any more, the overall number is also lower in recent years.

Indeed the overall number of CWD has been greatly reduced; currently "only" fifty-five according to the latest animal inventory. There was time when there were over three hundred

 

[Lafone]

As you mention the mara and wallabies are free-ranging; I too remember numerous free-ranging peafowl years ago.

The Chinese water deer and Reeves' muntjac used to be free-ranging too. There are no longer any muntjac at Whipsnade (according to the latest inventory) and I was unaware the water deer were no longer free-ranging.


Indeed the overall number of CWD has been greatly reduced; currently "only" fifty-five according to the latest animal inventory. There was time when there were over three hundred

True they were often on the road and they used to be all over the place in that area down the hill from the viewing point opposite the rhinos at the top of the downs. It was a great place to see fawns under the trees near the benches at the top.

I think foxes took care of the Peafowl.