ZSL Whipsnade Zoo ZSL Whipsnade Zoo News 2025

[pipaluk]

I understand you’re writing from a place of passion for Whipsande, but I’m a bit baffled by this.


There are many reasons the hippos are moving, some of which we may never know, but the main one is probably a stud book recommendation.


If a zoo is willing to spend the money and build a new breeding facility that raises the standards of enclosure for that species in the UK, Europe or even globally, then of course animals should be moved there. At the end of the day all accredited zoos and keepers are working together towards the same goals which are to provide the best possible welfare for the animals in their care, maintain a successful breeding program for the species in captivity, and to conserve animals in the wild. Sometimes that means moving animals to another zoo.


Zoos are constantly evolving and stands rising. If zoos went by the logic of not moving animals to better enclosures that will provide even higher welfare than they had previously, whether that be within the same collection or moving to another collection, we would still have animals in concrete prison cells. Whipsnade just build the fantastic Monkey Forest facility, which saw (among other species) Sulawesi Crested Macaques move from Jersey and London to a bigger and better facility where they are in a bigger group and have bred successfully. The new Longleat facility will provide the same for the hippos, bringing a larger group together (Than is currently at Whipsnade) to continue the captive breeding of the species and maintain a strong gene pool.


But I 100% understand your passion and I sometimes feel the same, but it’s always important to take a step back and look at the bigger picture of what zoos are collectively working toward.

I know the move is probably a studbook recommendation but that is not the point really. Whipsnade have chosen not to replace them even though it has a lot better facility than many others in the UK and Europe
The Longleat exhibit has just given ZSL the perfect excuse to justify a decision they may well have made anyway

 

[cerperal]

The Longleat exhibit has just given ZSL the perfect excuse to justify a decision they may well have made anyway

May being the key word...

Your annoyance towards ZSL seems to be based entirely on the assumption that those devious pen-pushers in their offices want to get rid of every animal in the zoo and replace them with capybaras, and are looking for any excuse to do just that.

When in reality, the more likely case is a better suited home for the hippos has turned up that will suit both the animals and Longleat, and it's been known for years the current Whipsnade hippo infrastructure is out of date and would be hideously expensive to replace.

Whipsnade have chosen not to replace them even though it has a lot better facility than many others in the UK and Europe

It just doesn't though, both for the animals and the management side of things. And just because there are worse exhibits for them around the continent that doesn't mean it is wrong of ZSL to believe their current facilities are not good enough for a breeding pod of hippos.

I can't help but feel like you're villainising ZSL for the sake of it. Yes, it's a shame they will lose the species and yes, in a perfect world they would stay. But the fact you are stating there must be some sort of ulterior motive to reduce the collection is not only wrong, it's insultingly callous to a society and a zoo that has led the way in husbandry and breeding for the species in this country until this very day.

 

[Panthera1981]

What puzzles me is the situation with Lola. I understand the transfer with Hodor in the short term until the other cows arrive but, in the long term, what’s the point? She’s still capable of producing offspring so being at Longleat would surely make her redundant (unless Longleat have plans for 2 bulls). Why not loan her to Longleat in the short term, then bring her back to Whipsnade once everything’s in place and continue the breeding programme?

 

[pipaluk]

May being the key word...

Your annoyance towards ZSL seems to be based entirely on the assumption that those devious pen-pushers in their offices want to get rid of every animal in the zoo and replace them with capybaras, and are looking for any excuse to do just that.

When in reality, the more likely case is a better suited home for the hippos has turned up that will suit both the animals and Longleat, and it's been known for years the current Whipsnade hippo infrastructure is out of date and would be hideously expensive to replace.


It just doesn't though, both for the animals and the management side of things. And just because there are worse exhibits for them around the continent that doesn't mean it is wrong of ZSL to believe their current facilities are not good enough for a breeding pod of hippos.

I can't help but feel like you're villainising ZSL for the sake of it. Yes, it's a shame they will lose the species and yes, in a perfect world they would stay. But the fact you are stating there must be some sort of ulterior motive to reduce the collection is not only wrong, it's insultingly callous to a society and a zoo that has led the way in husbandry and breeding for the species in this country until this very day.

Now who is throwing insults around? When did I actually say ZSL wanted to get rid of every species in the zoo?

 

[rhinofan12]

I know the move is probably a studbook recommendation but that is not the point really. Whipsnade have chosen not to replace them even though it has a lot better facility than many others in the UK and Europe
The Longleat exhibit has just given ZSL the perfect excuse to justify a decision they may well have made anyway

Maybe just maybe they aren't replacing them straight away but a plan is in place for hippo to return in the future. Maybe a return for lola once her son has established himself or any offspring from longleat.
There is so much we don't know about this move.

 

[pipaluk]

Maybe just maybe they aren't replacing them straight away but a plan is in place for hippo to return in the future. Maybe a return for lola once her son has established himself or any offspring from longleat.
There is so much we don't know about this move.

I'm afraid the original press release clearly says they won't be getting any more hippos!

 

[Cat-Man]

Maybe just maybe they aren't replacing them straight away but a plan is in place for hippo to return in the future. Maybe a return for lola once her son has established himself or any offspring from longleat.
There is so much we don't know about this move.

When was the last time ZSL replaced a species with another of a similar calibre to the ones they've lost?

 

[rhinofan12]

I'm afraid the original press release clearly says they won't be getting any more hippos!

Your right but it didn't say they won't ever return, let's be honest they wouldn't say they will return in x number of years.
As alot know on here I go to whipsnade 3 or 4 times a month and although I'm not an expert or have any links to anyone who works there I do like to chat to keepers and staff, I'm not saying they will definitely return however I am quite optimistic they might well return..

 

[cerperal]

Now who is throwing insults around? When did I actually say ZSL wanted to get rid of every species in the zoo?

Nobody has accused anybody of insulting anyone, and if you truly think anything I said there is an insult then I think that says more about your opinions on the subject than anything I have actually said.

Whipsnade have chosen not to replace them even though it has a lot better facility than many others in the UK and Europe
The Longleat exhibit has just given ZSL the perfect excuse to justify a decision they may well have made anyway

This entire comment is suggesting Whipsnade are binning off the species for the mere sake of it. In fact based on your previous comments regarding this I would go so far as to say you genuinely believe that. I would say I was being obviously hyperbolic regarding every species, but given your wording and the fact you seem to have been suggesting every species that has left the zoo seems to be some sort of plot to reduce species numbers I'm going to stand by it.

This debate is doing my head in.

The hippos are leaving. It is sad. There is no grand conspiracy or half-arsed handling of the situation from ZSL.

 

[pipaluk]

Nobody has accused anybody of insulting anyone, and if you truly think anything I said there is an insult then I think that says more about your opinions on the subject than anything I have actually said.


This entire comment is suggesting Whipsnade are binning off the species for the mere sake of it. In fact based on your previous comments regarding this I would go so far as to say you genuinely believe that. I would say I was being obviously hyperbolic regarding every species, but given your wording and the fact you seem to have been suggesting every species that has left the zoo seems to be some sort of plot to reduce species numbers I'm going to stand by it.

This debate is doing my head in.

The hippos are leaving. It is sad. There is no grand conspiracy or half-arsed handling of the situation from ZSL.

As you pointed out in a previous post, I used the word 'may' , so my comment was a suggestion or opinion not a factual statement. The final sentence of your post is written as a definite factual statement even though it is just your opinion (which you are obviously entitled to) , but is not based on any known fact

And by the way you did suggest I had been 'insultingly callous' to poor old ZSL

 

[Maguari]

Can I just check in case I've missed something here (I may well have) - is it actually confirmed that the Capybara are going in the old hippo enclosure?

Or are we still basing that on similar ecology and the delay to them moving?

I don't say they're not going in there, but this is a very heated argument for something that I don't think we even know is happening yet.

 

[rhinofan12]

Can I just check in case I've missed something here (I may well have) - is it actually confirmed that the Capybara are going in the old hippo enclosure?

Or are we still basing that on similar ecology and the delay to them moving?

I don't say they're not going in there, but this is a very heated argument for something that I don't think we even know is happening yet.

It hasn't been confirmed yet, however there is no building work going on anywhere else so I think as it stands it's the obvious place they are going.

 

[Cat-Man]

And by the way you did suggest I had been 'insultingly callous' to poor old ZSL

There are certainly people on this forum who can’t handle any criticism of ZSL whatsoever.

Can I just check in case I've missed something here (I may well have) - is it actually confirmed that the Capybara are going in the old hippo enclosure?

Or are we still basing that on similar ecology and the delay to them moving?

I don't say they're not going in there, but this is a very heated argument for something that I don't think we even know is happening yet.

No, it hasn’t been confirmed yet. Somebody on the forum hinted this was the case but we’ve had no confirmation this is actually what is happening. I think that was unwise and we should have waited until it’s been confirmed before discussion commenced.

 

[Lafone]

Can I just check in case I've missed something here (I may well have) - is it actually confirmed that the Capybara are going in the old hippo enclosure?

Or are we still basing that on similar ecology and the delay to them moving?

I don't say they're not going in there, but this is a very heated argument for something that I don't think we even know is happening yet.

No, but they have the whole summer to do something (though probably won't want to do tonnes on super busy summer holiday days)

Nothing is currently going on as mentioned above. There might be some swapping of Pygmy and the current Common enclosures to go on while things are redesigned there, but even then there's no certainty or communicated plan.

The only off thing about Capys being the 'new' Hippos is the geography - Whipsnade have always been pretty strict on animal placement given the zoo is so clearly zoned and that is the thing that makes me think the capys could pop in somewhere else. But then there isn't really a zone for them to go into now anyway.

 

[Pertinax]

A kid thing for the holidays. There is a load of stuff gone up around the old elephant 'display' place too opposite the zebras, temporary tents, bale seating etc.

Trolls: A Field Study | Whipsnade Zoo

Thanks...its a bit out of my age group perhaps... and talking of the Whipsnade lion, how about some more Bison on the hill. Faint chance I think

 

[Kalaw]

Are Capybara a current trend that ZSL are trying to capitalise on? The one that recently escaped at Hoo Farm certainly brought in the extra visitors, but how long for?

Capybara are a massive trend at the moment. If ZSL market this well then it could actually boost attendance, because like I say with the Moo Deng example, a lot of people won't know how common they are and will only know how cute and weird they are.

If they are a hippo replacement, then I am devastated, because it is replacing one of the most interesting and hard to come by large mammals at Whipsnade with one that is essentially an easy to acquire, 'starter pack' type animal which can be found at every small to medium sized collection up and down the country. It really would feel like a lazy way out from ZSL. If they aren't the hippo replacement, and are just a new species, then I don't really mind - I'm not exactly ecstatic to see them, but they're nice enough as a new species. So I will hold off on criticising them until it is confirmed that they will be going in the old hippo space. After all, when the Tufted Deer arrived it seemed as though they would be the hippo replacements, but then they are now confirmed to be going onshow in the emu paddock. There is a lot of empty space around the zoo and as Lafone says, a whole summer to build something.

So while I do believe they will be going in the old hippo enclosure and are really disappointed to see this, I will refrain from any further negativity until this is confirmed.

I for one believe they should build a reptile house on the grounds of the old hippo exhibit

Hasn't the zoo got very vague plans that were confirmed in some sort of report a few years ago to convert the old Discovery Centre into a reptile house as Phase III of the whole Aquarium / Butterfly House thing. As we haven't heard anything since, I assume they have been shelved, but probably only temporarily. If we get a reptile house at any point then it will likely be going there.

 

[Pertinax]

I understand you’re writing from a place of passion for Whipsande, but I’m a bit baffled by this.


There are many reasons the hippos are moving, some of which we may never know, but the main one is probably a stud book recommendation.


If a zoo is willing to spend the money and build a new breeding facility that raises the standards of enclosure for that species in the UK, Europe or even globally, then of course animals should be moved there. At the end of the day all accredited zoos and keepers are working together towards the same goals which are to provide the best possible welfare for the animals in their care, maintain a successful breeding program for the species in captivity, and to conserve animals in the wild. Sometimes that means moving animals to another zoo.


Zoos are constantly evolving and stands rising. If zoos went by the logic of not moving animals to better enclosures that will provide even higher welfare than they had previously, whether that be within the same collection or moving to another collection, we would still have animals in concrete prison cells. Whipsnade just build the fantastic Monkey Forest facility, which saw (among other species) Sulawesi Crested Macaques move from Jersey and London to a bigger and better facility where they are in a bigger group and have bred successfully. The new Longleat facility will provide the same for the hippos, bringing a larger group together (Than is currently at Whipsnade) to continue the captive breeding of the species and maintain a strong gene pool.


But I 100% understand your passion and I sometimes feel the same, but it’s always important to take a step back and look at the bigger picture of what zoos are collectively working toward.

I don't think a studbook recommendation alone would be the main reason for the move, if Whipsnade wanted to keep their hippos, which they have kept and bred for many years. A sb recommendation doesn't oblige them to be moved. I know ZSL cited that as the reason but that makes it sound more official for publicity purposes. I think there were several factors at work; the zoo wanted to move them out feeling the accomodation wasn't good enough any more, coinciding with(conveniently) Longleat's wanting new hippos etc and an agreement was reached, using the studbook as the intermediary to provide the necessary permission for the move.

 

[Lafone]

Thanks...its a bit out of my age group perhaps... and talking of the Whipsnade lion, how about some more Bison on the hill. Faint chance I think

No chance I imagine, they use the goats to control the grazing and just added the second group, easier to control and there would be better sightings for the bison in their existing enclosure. There are good examples of Przewalski's horse being used in that way, that would be a fun second herd.

 

[Kalaw]

No chance I imagine, they use the goats to control the grazing and just added the second group, easier to control and there would be better sightings for the bison in their existing enclosure.

Although when there were bison on the hill they were American, and the current ones are European, so it isn't necessarily a decision of one or the other in terms of enclosures. For quite a few years the two did both exist at once, although much to my dismay I didn't find out about 'Bison Hill' until after the inhabitants had left.

Faint chance indeed, but definitely not no chance.

 

[Lafone]

Although when there were bison on the hill they were American, and the current ones are European, so it isn't necessarily a decision of one or the other in terms of enclosures. For quite a few years the two did both exist at once, although much to my dismay I didn't find out about 'Bison Hill' until after the inhabitants had left.

Faint chance indeed, but definitely not no chance.

Yes indeed though I think there's no chance of getting American Bison now. They were a wonder...it inspired me to go and see them in the wild. Bit like American wolves, hardly anywhere to see those either.