I think your summary of how/why they are leaving is probably very close to the truth. They can't have a single hippo at Longleat even if only temporarily, and so his mother Lola is the only other one available at present. Plus the differences in the quality of the accomodations is significant too and evidently played a role as the staff have mentioned. I do fear though that as they still have the Pygmies, (so for the average visitor, Whipsnade still have 'hippos'),that the commons may never return, or not for decades anyway.
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo ZSL Whipsnade Zoo News 2025
- Thread starter Lafone
- Start date
Pretty much agree with this completely. It's in the best interests of the animals. It's that simple for me.
I think the statement from ZSL is pretty finite, there’s no hint as to Common hippo returning. And, given the entire site works off of a very archaic plumbing network, the costs involved in creating a high quality exhibit coupled with a filtration system that can manage the output from a group of hippo would be astronomical.
I think this post is the best appraisal of the situation.
With regard to them eventually returning. In the long term you can never say never, but it sounds like common hippos are no longer part of ZSL's plans.
Just a thought, but it is possible that pygmys could take over the whole exhibit, or could the current pygmy move and something else moves into that enclosure? Does that open up any different possibilities?
With regard to them eventually returning. In the long term you can never say never, but it sounds like common hippos are no longer part of ZSL's plans.
Just a thought, but it is possible that pygmys could take over the whole exhibit, or could the current pygmy move and something else moves into that enclosure? Does that open up any different possibilities?
Rajang-GOAT
Well-Known Member
ZSL have said that they "will be welcoming an exciting new species to the space" regarding the soon to be vacant Common hippo enclosure, and I think that the current Pygmy hippo enclosure is much more suited to them anyway, with very good cover provided by trees that is not present in the larger pair of paddocks.
Regarding a potential future return of the species, I was thinking about 10+ years in the future, but I concede that even with that I may have been a bit too optimistic, and coping to an extent.
Maybe we have to accept that the UK zoo landscape (compared to continental Europe) means Common hippo may be restricted to safari/theme parks (as they effectively are now) with larger budgets going forward, although I would've thought if any zoological organisation could afford to commit to them it would be ZSL if not Chester.
Destiny Raven-Silva
Member
Will the hippos be on show before they leave? Common hippos are on my bucket list, but i dont have a car to visit them in the safari park collections.
cerperal
Well-Known Member
No reason they wouldn't be on show until the day they leave, Whipsnade are doing a good job of advertising they'll be gone so visit soon on their socials as well so it's in their interest to keep them on-show.
The car point is one I think a lot of us can agree with. I live 30 minutes from Longleat but without a car it's impossible to get to. Whipsnade is a pain without public transport, but it's possible to just taxi to the entrance if you want. But I guess that says more about the accessibility of zoos in this country than hippos
Hippos have done well at Whipsnade for years I remember seeing them there as long ago as the late 60s, To me this smells of an excuse just to down size yet another species off the books, the zoo used to have an outstanding hoofed stock collection but now just a shell of what it once was!
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Pygmies being far less aquatic than the Common hippos wouldn't use those large lakes to the same extent and the land space has less/no shade. But the indoor housing is more suitable for them really as its quite diminutive/cramped for the common ones. Plus they have already advertised a 'new' replacement.
Again, the tease from ZSL implies that they already know what the replacement will be. Speculating therefore, Im assuming they’ll want to have a species that requires similar infrastructure to housing hippo without having to splash the cash (with a few tweaks to the housing).
Zoogeographically, this would rule out tapir (unfortunately) and capybara (thankfully). Structurally, Okapi or antelope would likely vault the fencing. So, for me, it’s Black rhino.
(of course I could be completely wrong and it be another undercover picnic area with complimentary lake view, or the old ZSL favourite Crazy Golf! Or meerkats-who doesn’t want more meerkats?)
Zoogeographically, this would rule out tapir (unfortunately) and capybara (thankfully). Structurally, Okapi or antelope would likely vault the fencing. So, for me, it’s Black rhino.
(of course I could be completely wrong and it be another undercover picnic area with complimentary lake view, or the old ZSL favourite Crazy Golf! Or meerkats-who doesn’t want more meerkats?)
The photo I have in front of me that I took of them last summer shows a fence barrier that looks like low wooden stockade-type fencing. Is that the only barrier? It would never be suitable for Black rhino which would require a complete overhaul/strengthening of the fence....so for me it rather rules them out as it is.
I think we can all agree that ZSL have made a rod for their own back by stating an “exciting new species” will be arriving. It leaves it open to interpretation/depends on what the average person deems as “exciting.”
Yeah...
I think overall the species that most suits those enclosures with minimal cost to the zoo in alterations would be ....Tapir. They would swim too. But not African obviously (or 'exciting'(?)- but then I'm probably a little jaded...) I do find it strange they lavished all that money on that brand new house and huge wooded enclosure for the Sulawesi Macaques( admittedly its great, but its almost big enough to hold great apes(!) and with an unnecessarily large indoor public viewing area, yet they aren't prepared to upgrade and keep the Hippos which are an iconic species for them, but its done now (or rather it will be in June).
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Yes, the part of the housing that could presumamly hold Rhino is the low building at the back which seems to be the part being cited as substandard. The newer house is not big enough or suitable for Rhino at all IMO.
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Yeah...
What about spot-necked otters? Quite exciting and the right zoogeographical theme. Very unlikely, of course!
Its on a parallel with the Bison really. Losing one of the species where they had two. And certainly the hoofstock numbers (and the variety) are much reduced compared to the past.
cerperal
Well-Known Member
I don't think that's a particularly good comparison though - the new monkey exhibit utilised an old exhibit as well, and doesn't require the upkeep that the hippo pools need. It's somewhat irrelevant how expensive Monkey Forest was because the upkeep of the hippo habitat alone was/is an order of magnitude larger, plus with Hodor being recommended by the EEP and them not wanting to leave him or Lola on their own their hands were somewhat forced regardless. Hippos aren't common in this country and with a certain socioeconomic change that shall remain unnamed it's not easy to import them from the continent either. I know I'm overtly pro-ZSL but in a perfect world they wouldn't be losing the hippos, and some things are simply out of their control.Yeah...
To be honest, I was rather hoping they'd acquire Malayan tapir for the Monkey Forest exhibit itself. Regardless of what goes in the hippo enclosure, some level of renovation is required.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
While I wish they were keeping the hippos (and indeed have the space to make something world class so it’s fair to wish they’d just moved them temporarily and done a whacking huge upgrade to house a bloat) on reflection I find I was actually far more disappointed when they made the old sealion house into a picnic area.
I really do hope there is a new species (people’s view of exciting of course varies I am seeing Red Siskin at Hamerton today and was unreasonably thrilled) and something good that makes use of the water as well as land area. If it runs to geographical context though it does take the possibilities down a bit. Something strikingly unusual or a building herd of something would be my preference. But as I am an arse licking management lackey, well I’ll still visit whatever they put in. But I will always think ‘there’s the place the hippos were’ as I sometimes do with Colombo the sloth bear’s old enclosure (l enjoy the langurs all the same).
Given they’ve said it is an animal going in I am hoping for the best that there is to turn up.
It’s a shame to think of visits without the hippos though - a previously fixed point in changing age I suppose. But zoos move on. I’ve rarely been to Longleat as I’m not into the drive through thing at all I can’t see the point, but I’ll go and check out the new exhibit for the hippos there.
I really do hope there is a new species (people’s view of exciting of course varies I am seeing Red Siskin at Hamerton today and was unreasonably thrilled) and something good that makes use of the water as well as land area. If it runs to geographical context though it does take the possibilities down a bit. Something strikingly unusual or a building herd of something would be my preference. But as I am an arse licking management lackey, well I’ll still visit whatever they put in. But I will always think ‘there’s the place the hippos were’ as I sometimes do with Colombo the sloth bear’s old enclosure (l enjoy the langurs all the same).
Given they’ve said it is an animal going in I am hoping for the best that there is to turn up.
It’s a shame to think of visits without the hippos though - a previously fixed point in changing age I suppose. But zoos move on. I’ve rarely been to Longleat as I’m not into the drive through thing at all I can’t see the point, but I’ll go and check out the new exhibit for the hippos there.
Whilst initially angry, I now find myself indifferent to the sealions absence. What made me feel that I’d been slapped in the face was that ZSL professed to be spending x-amount of money on upgrading the facilities (and needlessly closing the indoor viewing) for them to close the area down anyway! What a complete waste of time and money!
It hurts with the hippo, primarily because of ZSL’s long association and history (dating all the way back to Obaysch) and their staggering success with breeding (Henry and Belinda). If the sealions had reached endgame, funds should have been immediately concentrated upon improving the hippo area (not necessarily the outdoors but certainly indoors and the hard standing). Time and again I have no problem with repeating myself-Whipsnade has the space!
Anyway, what’s done is done. Im sure Longleat will do a top job…”Heres what’s coming up on the next episode of (all together now) Animal Park!!!”