This is fantastic news!!!, I had always hoped that a Gemsbok calf would be born following the arrival of the male. I will be visiting on Saturday so fingers crossed I get to see the little one.
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo ZSL Whipsnade Zoo News 2025
- Thread starter Lafone
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This is fantastic news!!!, I had always hoped that a Gemsbok calf would be born following the arrival of the male. I will be visiting on Saturday so fingers crossed I get to see the little one.
It was FREEZING up there today - flamingoes inside, giraffe unable to access their paddock as the water was frozen over, bird lake frozen. Just truly truly cold.
In light of that, don't blame the lion cubs or the baby gemsbok for not making an appearance. The gemsbok were all hanging around the house today.
We did see one of the bears out in the paddock, and could see another 2 in the cages/house behind.
A couple of keepers were out by the bison commenting on how underweight they all seem to be at present, but how they'll soon put the weight back on again.
One of the zebra is currently huge, so I would concur with a comment made a while ago of a baby zebra perhaps on its way. If she's not pregnant, she's been a very greedy zebra this winter.
In light of that, don't blame the lion cubs or the baby gemsbok for not making an appearance. The gemsbok were all hanging around the house today.
We did see one of the bears out in the paddock, and could see another 2 in the cages/house behind.
A couple of keepers were out by the bison commenting on how underweight they all seem to be at present, but how they'll soon put the weight back on again.
One of the zebra is currently huge, so I would concur with a comment made a while ago of a baby zebra perhaps on its way. If she's not pregnant, she's been a very greedy zebra this winter.
Any idea why the bears appear to be active at this time of year, and also while it is so cold?
I know the other sighting recorded up-thread said they were hanging around the house. The bears we could see in the cages/house were awake - lying down but clearly awake - whilst the one we saw in the main paddock was in the top left corner - it was sort of near the house, but with its back to it and moving away, snuffing through the grass and bushes. There was a keeper around but not specifically in the house/enclosures. This was about 3.30-4pm, so quite late in the day too - not as sunny and bright as it had been earlier. We were surprised - we'd popped up that way to try to see the wolverine and out of habit began walking on towards the penguins - and there was a bear.
So not sure why they were up and about - there didn't seem to be anyone forcing them to do so/be so.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
They have been up and about this early in the year before, I think they can go back and forth as they want to. Earliest I've seen them pottering about is late Jan. The bears at Hamerton have been up and around in mid Jan into early Feb before too.
It's possible that our 'mild' climate, in comparison to say, Central European winters, is insufficient to induce a full torpor and so its more erratic, for want of a better word.
This would make a lot of sense.
Today's much warmer (and much busier!) visit elicited:
- a sighting of the lion cubs - bigger than I expected and very very playful
- a mystery animal in the antelope house - not a baby gemsbok (still no sighting on that front) - possibly a juvenile blesbok? Seemingly in a yard on its own. Not sure what it was. Had little straight horns.
- keepers were out walking the route of the bird show
- the lesser rhea were in the same paddock instead of separated
- all 4 bears were up and about and very very active. Three in the 'new' bit running around, play fighting; one in the paddock, and then getting very angry at one of the others who ran into the house at the back
- the farmyard has acquired a middle white pig in place of the saddleback they had through summer/autumn last year (and the Oxford sandy and blacks they had last spring) - do they basically mind these pigs for other collections as they seem to switch them up quite regularly?
- bull elephant still in with the main herd on the hard standing area (minus the 2 off to Chester)
- a sighting of the lion cubs - bigger than I expected and very very playful
- a mystery animal in the antelope house - not a baby gemsbok (still no sighting on that front) - possibly a juvenile blesbok? Seemingly in a yard on its own. Not sure what it was. Had little straight horns.
- keepers were out walking the route of the bird show
- the lesser rhea were in the same paddock instead of separated
- all 4 bears were up and about and very very active. Three in the 'new' bit running around, play fighting; one in the paddock, and then getting very angry at one of the others who ran into the house at the back
- the farmyard has acquired a middle white pig in place of the saddleback they had through summer/autumn last year (and the Oxford sandy and blacks they had last spring) - do they basically mind these pigs for other collections as they seem to switch them up quite regularly?
- bull elephant still in with the main herd on the hard standing area (minus the 2 off to Chester)
There was a Blesbok calf born last year so maybe that’s what you saw at the Antelope house?
Maybe. Never seen a calf out there - tbf, the blesbok are less showy than the gemsbok I find.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
It was born in May 2024, I don't know if it is still around though no one said anything happened to it.
and it was interesting to see the other Blesbok got some temporary horn covers as the mother saw off the others showing interest in the calf.
@ro6ca66 also shared some lovely images of the new arrival in the gallery.
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I saw this the other day and I think it might be a spotted dear(previously in another offshow area), I could be wrong but looked like it from what I could see.
Unfortunately I haven't seen the Blesbok calf for a long time and many many visits.
This was another possibility I had in mind. The only thing which made me think no, was I'm fairly sure it had horns rather than antlers (or no antlers at all, which, if you're thinking female spotted deer, would rule it out)
We've got a photo somewhere, not sure how good it is. Will post it if it's any good.
Had a look at the pic - definitely a juvenile blesbok, so I assume it's the calf from last year as suggested (and gives some hope, @sparkes12 )
A chilly but beautiful afternoon up at the Zoo. Got some great shots of the White Rhinos that were right up at the fence. Didnt get to see the Gemsbok calf or Lion cubs sadly.
The White Rhino in the Asian Rhino paddock seems to have left for its new home, with all signs removed.
Did see the baby Macaques and amazingly they think another female is pregnant.
The divide in the Warty Pig/Spotted Deer yard has been removed so I assume they are now mixed although I didnt see the Deer.
Interestingly the current Banteng paddock now has a new gate that opens into the Passage Through Asia, so my guess would be that maybe the plan is to have them mixing with the Deer and Blackbuck which would be amazing.
The White Rhino in the Asian Rhino paddock seems to have left for its new home, with all signs removed.
Did see the baby Macaques and amazingly they think another female is pregnant.
The divide in the Warty Pig/Spotted Deer yard has been removed so I assume they are now mixed although I didnt see the Deer.
Interestingly the current Banteng paddock now has a new gate that opens into the Passage Through Asia, so my guess would be that maybe the plan is to have them mixing with the Deer and Blackbuck which would be amazing.
Banteng in Passage through Asia would be incredible, but also might mean a reprieve for the gaur?
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Was also at Whipsnade today! Was there all day and the morning was very foggy indeed, with about 10 metres of visibility in some places but it burned off by the afternoon. First thing in the morning all the bears were out and up in the trees in the enclosure (including a double stack, the tree was groaning) which was fun to see and they were active all the way to the last hour before closing when the light was lovely.
Saw the back of the lion cubs as they headed indoors, not to come out again. Brief but cute. Malik the male is mixed with Winta's cubs now so that's nice to see. There's a one way system in the windowed lion viewing area, I dread to think what that will be like when the zoo is busy.
Didn't see the baby Gemsbok but did see the mother and then the young Blesbok in the other stall gazing out (doors are still barred on the house). Apparently the Blesbok calf's mother died, so that could explain why it has not been visible up to now. Or it might be another youngster entirely of course.
Super views of the Banteng with all four lying about enjoying the sunshine in the afternoon. The Flamingo enclosure has flooded at the far end again, making for super close up views of the birds bathing in the shallow water. The wattled crane on the bird lake seems to be venturing out more - first time I have seen it near the fence on the road side, offering some excellent views.
Maybe passed each other! That’s sad to hear about the Blesbok, but good to know the calf is ok.
Originally there were only 3 Banteng right? I forgot to mention that in my post
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Wish I had known to say hi if we did!
Yes I think there were three at first so not sure when the fourth arrived, they all looked comfortable together. One looks a bit younger than the others unless that's my imagination.
Tbh it was much busier then I was expecting so could have passed anywhere!
Yeah I thought one looked a bit different