Lafone
Well-Known Member
And yes you're right I forgot Asha was by Jaffna / Behan I'd had it in my head that Hugo was involved for some reason but of course Jaffna was there and then went off back to (I think) Switzerland.
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo ZSL Whipsnade Zoo News 2025
- Thread starter Lafone
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And yes you're right I forgot Asha was by Jaffna / Behan I'd had it in my head that Hugo was involved for some reason but of course Jaffna was there and then went off back to (I think) Switzerland.
I presume one or both of them are in the Rhinos of Nepal building rather than the old 'sheds'? My guess is new female Jiya may make fuller use of the heated indoor pools than the old females did and with no danger from small calves etc for the foreseeable, the building may get better usage. There are the two outdoor paddocks available so they can live singly too. What is in Hugo's smaller paddock since the White rhino left though, nothing?
Jaffna was on loan from Basel Zoo though I don't think he is still there now. Hugo came from (I think without checking) Rotterdam. Its not really a 'Rhinos of Nepal' building anymore as I think the % of Assamese/Kaziranga blood is now the majority in these two, the Nepal % coming only through Behan/Asha.
Good to hear the Philippine deer is still there.
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"Hugo" was born in Rotterdam Zoo on 7th December 2002. He arrived at Whipsnade on 4th April 2008 (and he was at Warsaw Zoo prior to coming to Whipsnade).
She was in the enclosure that previously held the white rhino, I would guess this would be a temporary measure until she settles in.
I wonder why they put her in there and not straight into the newer building.
Also forgot to mention there is a new woodland walk next to the membership area, nice little walk that loops round to what was owl wood.
Is it new or simply a reopening? Im assuming this follows, in part, the footprint of the previous Woodland Walk? If so, clearly the zoo has deemed it safe to reopen as this area’s been off limits for nearly 10+ years now due to safety concerns.
Personally, I hoped this area would be redeveloped for wolves.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
I'd assume so they can affect introductions at least at first distance and make sure she is comfortable moving in and out of the house and with the instructions of her new Keepers etc.
Yes, to avoid her having to be too close to a strange rhino as well as getting used to the new surroundings both at once I guess.
It's basically as it was but with a new footpath and some extra seating.
Kalaw
Well-Known Member
Do you mean to say that Owl Wood is a thing of the past? Are the aviaries demolished, or just emptied of any birds? If so, a real shame - it was a relaxing, quiet corner of the zoo with some nice species, and its more intimate, bird-focused premise made for a nice change of scenery compared to the sprawling, mammal-focused rest of the zoo. The Aquarium and Butterfly House are also exceptions, but they tend to be crowded which Owl Wood never is. A great loss if I am interpreting your comments correct.
As had I, either that or moose. I suppose it isn't too late; if the safety changes you site have been accounted for, then maybe an animal exhibit could open there in the future, with the new seating and cleared pathway helping in that regard. Time will tell if ZSL have any bigger plans for this area.
Great news about the new rhino, by the way.
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From referencing the Studbook it appears Behan and Beluki were two of only around thirty G. I. Rhinos that have been exported over the years from Nepal. The majority of founders of the zoo population have come from Assam in India, principally Kaziranga reserve. Of the Nepalese animals, the majority went to zoos in S.E.Asia,Japan and China and haven't bred. A few, like the two Whipsnade females have contributed to the captive population. I estimate the new female Jiya is 1/4 Nepalese.(through Behan via mother Astra at Chester)
I haven't traced Hugo's ancestry, it takes a lot of time, but suspect he is from largely or even entirely the Indian/Assamese stock. Of course they all are the same species, just a difference in country of origin. But the 'Rhinos of Nepal' building name may not be quite accurate now....more like 1/8 R.O.N.!
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Astra? I mean Asha of course.
I will reply in the morning ... (it is too late out here ... need to hit the sack... Sorry!).
Visited today.
To answer a few of the questions raised
The 3 owl wood cages now hold :
Great great owl
Red billed blue magpie
Edwards pheasant & spotted laughing thrush
2 Phillipine spotted deer seen and signed in the warty pig house
Passage through Asia closed
Any questions please ask
To answer a few of the questions raised
The 3 owl wood cages now hold :
Great great owl
Red billed blue magpie
Edwards pheasant & spotted laughing thrush
2 Phillipine spotted deer seen and signed in the warty pig house
Passage through Asia closed
Any questions please ask
Just to add , the monkey forest area was a complete rub out today. Saw one macaque indoors , one anoa asleep indoors. 1 babirusa and 6 Francois Langurs indoors. I hope they start using the outdoor exhibits more or visitors will start complaining it is 10-15 minutes of seeing nothing apart from a single emu!
Don’t worry the animals are usually very active outdoors. It’s just up to the animals where they go. They all have been using the outside areas more and more on my visits. So no complaints needed.
They've been very indoorsy over the winter. Then, one day, I said 'oh okay, we'll go round there but I guarantee we'll see nothing' and behold, the entire troop of macaques outside running around.
The anoa house was in darkness when we went last weekend - never seen that before.
