I also recommend the taxi, but I have never paid so little.
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo ZSL Whipsnade Zoo News 2025
- Thread starter Lafone
- Start date
Four lion cubs born:
Pride and joy for Whipsnade Zoo as second north African lioness gives birth | Whipsnade Zoo
The four cubs, born as part of the conservation breeding programme for their threatened sub-species, were born to mum Waka and dad Malik in the early hours of Thursday 23rd January, just two months after lioness Winta had her litter of three.
Pride and joy for Whipsnade Zoo as second north African lioness gives birth | Whipsnade Zoo
The four cubs, born as part of the conservation breeding programme for their threatened sub-species, were born to mum Waka and dad Malik in the early hours of Thursday 23rd January, just two months after lioness Winta had her litter of three.
cerperal
Well-Known Member
Oh that is simply superb news, helps to brighten an otherwise rather grey week following Behan's passing. Lovely that Whipsnade is having such success already with this new pride especially given the lack of African lion cubs in the past decade in the UK!
I'd imagine they'll be out and about relatively soon given the somewhat nicer weather and nearing 2 months old?
It’s fantastic news and really exciting to see two lionesses having births close together, mirroring the natural social order of the species.
When the cubs will be on display is a little unclear. The previous litter went on display at nine weeks; but the news release by the zoo implies only the older litter will be on display by Easter:
“While Waka and her cubs may be keeping warm and cosy indoors for a little bit longer, visitors will be able to catch a glimpse of their trio of half-siblings racing around the paddock this easter!” said Sarah.
This likely references wanting the younger litter to build strength/confidence before their introduction to the older cubs (two months their senior); as well as a decision to have the older cubs on display for the influx of crowds expecting to see cubs on Easter Weekend (younger cubs need more rest etc).
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Good to see the news. They were talking about it at the enclosure and around the place on my last couple of visits - if you asked where Waka was directly and particularly how she was being rotated / mixed with Winta and Malik and the cubs, the keepers and volunteers had been told to say about the four newest cubs but that they were waiting for an official announcement. That’s a total of 10 lions! Quite the pride. Excellent news all round and look forward to seeing the whole lot eventually though the first lot are great by themselves.
More like a brief footnote at the bottom of the email!
Personally, considering her and Beluki’s contribution to the breeding program, she deserved better. But, I suppose the lion news has overshadowed this.
Much better than them not telling Patron Fellows, which is usually the norm.
Bittersweet week for Whipsnade. Really sad news about Behan but fantastic news about the Lion cubs 
Nothing much to report from today's visit:
- Saw the Gemsbok calf inside the Antelope house, looking through the door near to the Giraffe paddock. It is very cute.
- The Philippine Spotted Deer is still nowhere to be seen and the sign is still gone.
- Saw the Gemsbok calf inside the Antelope house, looking through the door near to the Giraffe paddock. It is very cute.
- The Philippine Spotted Deer is still nowhere to be seen and the sign is still gone.
Samuel Carter
Active Member
Another 4 lion cubs born !! Amazing news and will be great to see a proper pride of lions
Indian rhino Behan has now been removed from the text about this species on their webisite. There is no mention of Phillipine Deer but most of their other deer sp. aren't mentioned anyway, so that means nothing. But I'm beginning to think this single male met wih an accident/died perhaps?
That would be very sad news if he has indeed passed away, as he hasn't been at the zoo for that long. On my recent visit last week I too thought either he has died or he is off show at the current time.
The four younger lion cubs all took their first steps outside today according to the Whipsnade Facebook post:
Whipsnade Zoo
Whipsnade Zoo
Few hours up at whipsnade today with the things of note...
The white rhino that was being kept temporarily seems to have finally departed, signs all gone and an empty enclosure.
The porcupines had a barrier around the glass front so maybe more babies.
In the farm the new pig is now on show, the rabbits have a new massive outdoor area and a calf has been born to the cow that arrived last year.
And as many thought the Banteng are now using the "passage through asia" area, not sure if today was the 1st day but lots of keepers around when they were let out and the drive through was shut.
The white rhino that was being kept temporarily seems to have finally departed, signs all gone and an empty enclosure.
The porcupines had a barrier around the glass front so maybe more babies.
In the farm the new pig is now on show, the rabbits have a new massive outdoor area and a calf has been born to the cow that arrived last year.
And as many thought the Banteng are now using the "passage through asia" area, not sure if today was the 1st day but lots of keepers around when they were let out and the drive through was shut.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Had a fun day at Whipsnade today. Weather was fairly cold but nice in the sun and with all the Daffodils and new tree planting and the growing wallaby Joeys it certainly felt like Spring.
The large aviary at the end of Owl wood is empty but a Keeper was taking in new signs (couldn't see what they were) so guess birds will be moving in for the good weather.
I headed over to the Porcupine area as Sparkes mentioned above and a Keeper leaving some food confirmed two new Pocupettes were born earlier this week. Managed to see one which was a bit of a treat. That's seven Porcupines in residence now, a really good breeding record for the zoo.
The Red Crowned Cranes are sitting on a nest in the same location as last year.
The Calf is sweet, thanks @sparkes12 for noting that as I sometimes don't go over that side so was fun to see.
The older lion cubs were out with Winta and Malik which was fun to watch. Malik has met the youngest group through the wire in the house but not been introduced yet ,which the talk mentioned was the first step in getting them all together. Malik was also mating with Winta.
There was a bird show practice at lunchtime (shows start again on Monday). There is a new conservation / ZSL mission focused narration to close the show and a variety of birds were flying together before the final group of Macaws. These included the Red Billed Blue Magpies (born last year, one male and one female) from the Aviary near the old cafe. Lovely to to see their first inclusion in the show, made my day to see one flying around.
One of the female white rhinos has had her horn trimmed back.
Passage through Asia was still shut off to cars, the Banteng were outside their enclosure fence.
The large aviary at the end of Owl wood is empty but a Keeper was taking in new signs (couldn't see what they were) so guess birds will be moving in for the good weather.
I headed over to the Porcupine area as Sparkes mentioned above and a Keeper leaving some food confirmed two new Pocupettes were born earlier this week. Managed to see one which was a bit of a treat. That's seven Porcupines in residence now, a really good breeding record for the zoo.
The Red Crowned Cranes are sitting on a nest in the same location as last year.
The Calf is sweet, thanks @sparkes12 for noting that as I sometimes don't go over that side so was fun to see.
The older lion cubs were out with Winta and Malik which was fun to watch. Malik has met the youngest group through the wire in the house but not been introduced yet ,which the talk mentioned was the first step in getting them all together. Malik was also mating with Winta.
There was a bird show practice at lunchtime (shows start again on Monday). There is a new conservation / ZSL mission focused narration to close the show and a variety of birds were flying together before the final group of Macaws. These included the Red Billed Blue Magpies (born last year, one male and one female) from the Aviary near the old cafe. Lovely to to see their first inclusion in the show, made my day to see one flying around.
One of the female white rhinos has had her horn trimmed back.
Passage through Asia was still shut off to cars, the Banteng were outside their enclosure fence.
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7 porcupines is an incredible amount, but has anyone ever seen them using the outdoor enclosure, I've been to see them so many times but have yet to see them outside and it's such a wonderful enclosure.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Once only! Apparently very active in it at night. And I've heard they put food out in it in the summer which brings them out but have never been lucky enough to catch it.
Kalaw
Well-Known Member
Banteng in Passage could be quite special once the drive-through is back open. I love the huge herds of deer, but something larger and with a more distinctive outline will add something that, purely from a visitor perspective, it has somewhat been missing by comparison to other drive-throughs. Assuming they are in the deer paddock rather than with the camels and horses? Look forward very much to seeing them.