ZSL Whipsnade Zoo ZSL Whipsnade Zoo News 2025

Rajang-GOAT said:
For example, there have been seven successful Asian elephant births at Whipsnade since summer 2008...
If I'm not mistaken, does the Pygmy hippo enclosure at Whipsnade not already contain two outdoor paddocks? If so, I think it's already a warranted breeding facility (given there have been previous births there) and adding the more open Common hippo paddocks would perhaps be of a less significant benefit. However they would add a fair bit space wise.

I get the impression this move is more for moving Common hippos out of the zoo than freeing up space for their smaller cousins, for whatever mix of reasons they are being moved on.
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There are 2 paddocks for the pygmies, but possibly only one indoor space (can certainly only see one)? I don't know how important that is.
 
Cat-Man said:
But when was the last time ZSL added a species of the magnitude they’re losing here?
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Personally, it’s hard to argue against this comment I’m afraid, and you can add Polar bear, Californian sealion, Black rhino, American bison and (looking forward) Chimpanzee to this list.

ZSL will have its reasons, but it’s not as if Whipsnade isn’t short on space!
 
Cat-Man said:
People are allowed to be disappointed when ZSL loses a major attraction such as common hippos. I really don’t make much of an effort to be miserable about it when they make it so easy!

Of course, I’m being facetious there. But please don’t instruct me on how miserable I should or should not be feeling.



In my experience Zoochat is one of the least confrontational sites on the internet, and compared to the doom and gloom of basically every other public forum what I’ve said is quite tame I’m afraid. I was being flippant, and that’s all good news. But when was the last time ZSL added a species of the magnitude they’re losing here?
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I simply said I think you go out of your way to be disapppointed if you think there are less than 5 pieces of good news in 20 years and, as that's the case, I wouldn't make an argument for anything to 'impress' you.
 
Rajang-GOAT said:
For example, there have been seven successful Asian elephant births at Whipsnade since summer 2008...
If I'm not mistaken, does the Pygmy hippo enclosure at Whipsnade not already contain two outdoor paddocks? If so, I think it's already a warranted breeding facility (given there have been previous births there) and adding the more open Common hippo paddocks would perhaps be of a less significant benefit. However they would add a fair bit space wise.

I get the impression this move is more for moving Common hippos out of the zoo than freeing up space for their smaller cousins, for whatever mix of reasons they are being moved on.
Perhaps there could be chance for a return of the species in a brand new exhibit later down the line if the current space is not ideal for them?
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Yes two outdoor spaces, it would be quite a lot of room for them to occupy all the space if all the hippo area was pygmies though nice for the animals. I'd be a little surprised if nothing went in there again.
 
Lafone said:
Shame the hippos are moving I would hope Whipsnade doesn't go out of them but it might be with the intention to breed given they can't do that with Lola and Hodor. It's a bit too early for doom and gloom in my view but that's where nearly any move or news at ZSL usually starts I suppose. But something else will hopefully come about and if they did breed Pygmies well that would be a bonus. It is a pity if we no longer have both species.

On the bright side, a really nice place to send Lola and Hodor.
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It's definitely interesting Lola and Hodor are moving - I've said before on here but I'd been told directly by ZSL management that they didn't intend to move Hodor on any time soon, so perhaps given this news they meant separating the pair. The fact Longleat want a breeding pod is equally interesting as presumably Hodor will either be the breeding bull - in which case, they won't breed for several years - or Lola as a breeding females, requiring Hodor to move on to make room for a breeding bull. I hope it's the latter, if just because Lola is still young and should have plenty of calves in her yet. Personally I don't see Whipsnade going out of common hippos, at least long term, and maybe a return of Hoover isn't out of the question - but obviously this is just baseless speculation, and ultimately if they choose to focus on pygmy hippos it will be a real shame but result in what will doubtless be a world-beating exhibit.

As you say, there are no better places to send hippos than Longleat, aside from maybe a lake in Africa. I think the characters of both Lola and Hodor will fit in perfectly and provide some fantastic viewing (and a few miffed sea lions)

Cat-Man said:
I've been a member of Zoochat for almost two decades. I can count on one hand the good news I've heard from ZSL in that time period.
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The loss of the hippos is genuinely rather tragic, and a perhaps a questionable move from ZSL looking in. But I don't think that it is necessary to move straight into ZSL bashing, and as others have noted in the past 2 decades alone (and especially in the past 5 years) there has been arguably more good news than bad from both collections. The 2 major new exhibits at Whipsnade, plus the banteng, are from the last 2 years on their own. Nobody will criticise how you feel, but it's unnecessary to be so overly negative seemingly for the sake of it.
 
Panthera1981 said:
Personally, it’s hard to argue against this comment I’m afraid, and you can add Polar bear, Californian sealion, Black rhino, American bison and (looking forward) Chimpanzee to this list.

ZSL will have its reasons, but it’s not as if Whipsnade isn’t short on space!
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You’re correct, and it’s worth acknowledging. If the chimpanzees do end up going (and the consensus on this site seems to be that it’s only a matter of time) they’ve lost the hippo, chimpanzee and sealions in a decade. These were key parts of a visit whipsnade and a huge miss to the collection, all whilst prices for visitors continue to rise.

The key reason of course, is money. ZSL does not have as much money as other major zoos on the continent, and i’m given to understand that compared to many other zoos they spend a lot more on in situ conservation than many other collections. This is admirable, but doesn’t make their strategy ex-situ bey
 
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cerperal said:
It's definitely interesting Lola and Hodor are moving - I've said before on here but I'd been told directly by ZSL management that they didn't intend to move Hodor on any time soon, so perhaps given this news they meant separating the pair. The fact Longleat want a breeding pod is equally interesting as presumably Hodor will either be the breeding bull - in which case, they won't breed for several years - or Lola as a breeding females, requiring Hodor to move on to make room for a breeding bull. I hope it's the latter, if just because Lola is still young and should have plenty of calves in her yet. Personally I don't see Whipsnade going out of common hippos, at least long term, and maybe a return of Hoover isn't out of the question - but obviously this is just baseless speculation, and ultimately if they choose to focus on pygmy hippos it will be a real shame but result in what will doubtless be a world-beating exhibit.

As you say, there are no better places to send hippos than Longleat, aside from maybe a lake in Africa. I think the characters of both Lola and Hodor will fit in perfectly and provide some fantastic viewing (and a few miffed sea lions)


The loss of the hippos is genuinely rather tragic, and a perhaps a questionable move from ZSL looking in. But I don't think that it is necessary to move straight into ZSL bashing, and as others have noted in the past 2 decades alone (and especially in the past 5 years) there has been arguably more good news than bad from both collections. The 2 major new exhibits at Whipsnade, plus the banteng, are from the last 2 years on their own. Nobody will criticise how you feel, but it's unnecessary to be so overly negative seemingly for the sake of it.
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I didn’t wish to come across as being negative for the sake of to, and I hope my subsequent comments have made clear I wasn’t ZSL bashing, as much as providing a valid critique. And the reason I may seem harsh is because I care about those two collections an awful lot!
 
Cat-Man said:
I didn’t wish to come across as being negative for the sake of to, and I hope my subsequent comments have made clear I wasn’t ZSL bashing, as much as providing a valid critique. And the reason I may seem harsh is because I care about those two collections an awful lot!
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I have to admit, I got distracted halfway through typing that comment so missed most of your follow-up comments! I think the thing that rubbed me (and probably a few others) the wrong way was the immediate doom-and-gloom post that suggest the collections have either stagnated or are going downhill, but as you say your subsequent comments have clarified what you mean - and to a reasonable extent I do agree. I suppose we all want the best for the ZSL as a charity and both zoos as collections, and especially for us younger members it's hard not to see this as an overall upwards period for them compared to the not-too-distant past
 
cerperal said:
Well that answers everything!

Knowing they'll get a new species has taken the edge off the news for me...let the speculation commence! It's probably a bit too wishful thinking for black rhinos, isn't it :D
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It is sad to see them go I must say. Always such a good feature to have both species together side by side.

No idea what the replacement would be in that area, something that likes water and can make use of the ponds. It seems too small for Rhino if Hippos are out, move into Tapir perhaps? Wrong continent for the area though.
 
I am sad about this. Although I only occasionally visit Whipsnade the common hippos were always one of the species I looked forward to seeing. I did like the concept of keeping common and pygmy hippos in adjacent exhibits as it creates a great opportunity to compare them.

Hippos, of either species is something I wish more UK zoos would keep, I believe only 3 have common and 5 have pygmy. There are a number of major collections without either.

I wonder what will replace them. Difficult to think of many options barring a major renovation of the enclosure.
 
Lafone said:
It is sad to see them go I must say. Always such a good feature to have both species together side by side.

No idea what the replacement would be in that area, something that likes water and can make use of the ponds. It seems too small for Rhino if Hippos are out, move into Tapir perhaps? Wrong continent for the area though.
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Max Blundell said:
Malayan Tapir would be amazing at Whipsnade
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Malayan tapir would be fantastic! I hoped they'd add them to the new Asian exhibits or (god forbid it) it the Gaur leave plant up that exhibit and use it. The thing to remember with the hippo enclosure though is that it's deceptively large - there's a series of paddocks that were used when they held Lola's mother. Given the hippo house will need renovating, it's not out of the question they redo the paddocks themselves (and hopefully the outdoor viewing) to give a more fluid exhibit for something like tapir. The indoors of the hippo house would definitely suit them well
 
Max Blundell said:
Malayan Tapir would be amazing at Whipsnade
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My OH and I immediately said tapir and also 'wrong continent'.

Perhaps they'll keep the 2 nearside paddocks (i.e. either side of the bridge) for pygmies and build some new structure on the far paddock for something new.
 
cerperal said:
Well that answers everything!

Knowing they'll get a new species has taken the edge off the news for me...let the speculation commence! It's probably a bit too wishful thinking for black rhinos, isn't it :D
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I have to admit, I didn't click the link in the members' email and when I did I realised all questions were answered!

It's important to remember that it isn't necessarily ZSL's decision to move them - to me, it makes complete sense to move them to Longleat given how incredible that exhibit looks like it's going to be. All in the best interests of the animals.
 
As a regular visitor I'm slightly shocked by this news, and whipsnade won't be the same with no common hippo to see.
As for the replacement I would imagine it will be an African animal to fit in with the area but haven't got a clue what it could be.
 
NMM said:
I am sad about this. Although I only occasionally visit Whipsnade the common hippos were always one of the species I looked forward to seeing. I did like the concept of keeping common and pygmy hippos in adjacent exhibits as it creates a great opportunity to compare them.

Hippos, of either species is something I wish more UK zoos would keep, I believe only 3 have common and 5 have pygmy. There are a number of major collections without either.

I wonder what will replace them. Difficult to think of many options barring a major renovation of the enclosure.
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We’re down to three, and as far as I know there’s only been four to house them in this century, although if I’m wrong I’m more than happy to be corrected. Almost exclusively theme parks and safari parks, with Whisnade the sole exception. Given the expense I can’t see that number increasing anytime soon.
 
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