Brand new species for the zoo?
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo ZSL Whipsnade Zoo News 2025
- Thread starter Lafone
- Start date
Brand new species for the zoo?
That is awesome news. I know from old maps whipsnade used to have tapirs, but I’m not sure how long it’s been
I'm not sure I ever remember them there but have an old 1930/40's postcard with them
That’s brilliant news. Always great to see a new species added to the Zoo - let’s hope they’re on display soon.
According to zootierliste, Malayan tapir have been housed at Whipsnade, last seen in 1966.
According to zootierliste, Malayan tapir have been housed at Whipsnade, last seen in 1966.
The old maps have them with capybara and other SA animals in the current ostrich paddock.
Whipsnade kept (and bred) Brazilian tapirs during the 1960s.
I think I've got the same card.
The most likely of the 4 species to arrive although there’s plenty of room, and one can dream, for a Malayan exhibit adjacent to the Anoa/Macaques.
Where was the sandwich board located?
It was outside the closed hippo house, a quick peek through the window I could see it was set up for the tapir on the old common hippo side but no sign of the Tapir itself.
Oh my goodness. Where did they got this beautiful female tapir from ?
The hippo house was open today and caught a glimpse of the Tapir wandering around at the back of the house.
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Very much a blink-and-miss-it episode earlier..
Walking back from the lions, I turned around and noticed something large and black bolt from the bushes towards the meerkats. Too big and elongated to be a rat or rabbit, Im guessing it may have been a Mink! Have these ever been recorded at Whipsnade?
Walking back from the lions, I turned around and noticed something large and black bolt from the bushes towards the meerkats. Too big and elongated to be a rat or rabbit, Im guessing it may have been a Mink! Have these ever been recorded at Whipsnade?
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Interesting sighting! I don't know re Whipsnade specifically but Mink are common in the local area (and in Beds in general) as we know and the local wildlife trusts send information out on them and their impact on water voles so it wouldn't be unlikely they'd end up in the zoo. I've seen weasels before but never anything that might be a mink.
A recent tour of mainly Whipsnade’s off-show bird collection. A few updates from the curator of birds – after years of introductions the Wrinkled Hornbills currently have chicks (early stages though). The zoo has also acquired 2.0 Malay Crestless Firebacks from a private breeder and will soon receive females. They aim to assist in the establishment of managing this species alongside Vietnam Pheasants. A pair of Socorro Doves are also now kept at the zoo after many years of only housing them at London.
Haliaeetus
Well-Known Member
Meerkat pups are now having a much tougher time in the wild because of climate change, as increased temperatures cause them to gain weight slower and survive in fewer numbers. By taking small steps to tackle climate change at home, you will be helping protect protect pups living in the African savanna"I wanted to share some updates from my brief visit to Whipsnade today, and I'm pleased to report that the hunting dogs are looking very happy. The female was wagging her tail, and the male was sitting right by her, so I'm hopeful they might pair up soon, and we may even have some pups in the future!
There was a sign informing visitors that a new bison arrived last Thursday. This young bison is only 18 months old, so everyone needs to be quiet around it to avoid causing any distress. Unfortunately, I went twice to see the tapir, but it was hiding both times. On a brighter note, I managed to catch a glimpse of the new meerkat pups, which was delightful.
I also noticed that the window to the porcupine enclosure has been closed off and covered with a large sticker with peep holes. However, it’s quite difficult to see the porcupines through these holes, which doesn't make it any easier for visitors to view them.
Surprisingly, the zebra and foal were inside their house despite the sunny weather, but I managed to get some nice photos of them. Lastly, the giraffe keeper mentioned that Bashu the giraffe is responding well to his new shoes, which are helping to support his overgrown hooves.
There was a sign informing visitors that a new bison arrived last Thursday. This young bison is only 18 months old, so everyone needs to be quiet around it to avoid causing any distress. Unfortunately, I went twice to see the tapir, but it was hiding both times. On a brighter note, I managed to catch a glimpse of the new meerkat pups, which was delightful.
I also noticed that the window to the porcupine enclosure has been closed off and covered with a large sticker with peep holes. However, it’s quite difficult to see the porcupines through these holes, which doesn't make it any easier for visitors to view them.
Surprisingly, the zebra and foal were inside their house despite the sunny weather, but I managed to get some nice photos of them. Lastly, the giraffe keeper mentioned that Bashu the giraffe is responding well to his new shoes, which are helping to support his overgrown hooves.
Haliaeetus
Well-Known Member
Transfer of the female Asian Elephants KARISHMA and BETH to Chester Zoo.
Whipsnade Zoo on Instagram: "Good luck Karishma and Beth! Their big move, which took months of planning and involved keepers, vets, two lorries, a crane able to carry 100 tons, and a team of animal transport experts, marks a critical step in efforts to protect the endangered species. 26-year-old Karishma and her nine-year-old daughter Elizabeth, moved from Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire to their new home at Chester Zoo, and have been settling into their new surroundings before meeting the rest of the herd."
Whipsnade Zoo on Instagram: "Good luck Karishma and Beth! Their big move, which took months of planning and involved keepers, vets, two lorries, a crane able to carry 100 tons, and a team of animal transport experts, marks a critical step in efforts to protect the endangered species. 26-year-old Karishma and her nine-year-old daughter Elizabeth, moved from Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire to their new home at Chester Zoo, and have been settling into their new surroundings before meeting the rest of the herd."
Article now on BBC local news feed regarding the transfer and the logistics involved.
In, loosely related, tiger news, recently(?) transferred Amur tiger Makari is now a father! Partner Yuki gave birth to 2 cubs recently at Knowsley SP
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Lafone
Well-Known Member
Fun day at Whipsnade today with the good weather bringing out the crowds but there was still quiet space to be had. Good views of the growing crane chicks for the blue and Japanese cranes, the young meerkats and my first look at the (fairly) recently arrived cheetahs. A number of baby Mara roaming about the zoo with their parents was nice to see.
The novelty for me was seeing yaks back in A Passage through Asia with four of the Yak herd joining the horses and camels on their side of the divide. The Yak were wandering around in the space though the train looked to be causing them some excitement still. All the animals had access to the space together though the horses were in the shade of the barn near the mound. The rest of the herd remain in their usual paddock.
The novelty for me was seeing yaks back in A Passage through Asia with four of the Yak herd joining the horses and camels on their side of the divide. The Yak were wandering around in the space though the train looked to be causing them some excitement still. All the animals had access to the space together though the horses were in the shade of the barn near the mound. The rest of the herd remain in their usual paddock.
cerperal
Well-Known Member
Not directly Whipsnade news but I suspect something that a lot of regulars will want to know
Amur tiger Czar, who left Whipsnade for Leipzig last June, became a father for the first time recently after his new mate Yushka gave birth to triplets. Unfortunately, she failed to care for them and all three have been euthanised
Sad news but the silver lining is they are breeding, hopefully a second litter is more successful and that Whipsnade lineage continues. Czar appears to be doing well
Zoo Leipzig (Offizielle Seite) on Instagram: "Freude und Abschied liegen oft nah beieinander. Bewegende Momente in der Tiger-Taiga: Amurtigerin Yushka wurde am Mittwochabend zum ersten Mal Mutter von drei Jungtieren. Die ersten Stunden verliefen vielversprechend – Yushka kümmerte sich instinktiv um ihren Nachwuchs. Doch ab Donnerstagnachmittag ließ ihr Interesse nach. Als unerfahrene Mutter hat sie die Aufzucht leider abgebrochen – ein Verhalten, das bei Erstgebärenden im Tierreich vorkommen kann. Yushka hat beim ersten Mal instinktiv viel richtig gemacht und gelernt, aber heute mussten wir schweren Herzens eingreifen und die drei geschwächten Jungtiere einschläfern, um ihnen weiteres Leid zu ersparen. Eine Handaufzucht kam bewusst nicht in Frage. Die Aufzucht von Nachwuchs durch die Katzenmutter sowie das Lernen vom Muttertier durch den Nachwuchs sind für das natürlich Verhalten ohne Fehlprägungen essentiell. Diesem wissenschaftlichen Anspruch zur artgemäßen Wildtierhaltung sind wir als Zoo Leipzig ebenso wie unsere Fachkollegen verpflichtet. Auch wenn wir traurig und enttäuscht sind, bleibt die Hoffnung: Yushka hat wichtige Erfahrungen gesammelt, die ihr bei einem nächsten Wurf helfen können. Als Teil eines internationalen Zuchtprogramms setzen wir alles daran, langfristig zum Erhalt der Amurtiger beizutragen."
Amur tiger Czar, who left Whipsnade for Leipzig last June, became a father for the first time recently after his new mate Yushka gave birth to triplets. Unfortunately, she failed to care for them and all three have been euthanised
Sad news but the silver lining is they are breeding, hopefully a second litter is more successful and that Whipsnade lineage continues. Czar appears to be doing well
Zoo Leipzig (Offizielle Seite) on Instagram: "Freude und Abschied liegen oft nah beieinander. Bewegende Momente in der Tiger-Taiga: Amurtigerin Yushka wurde am Mittwochabend zum ersten Mal Mutter von drei Jungtieren. Die ersten Stunden verliefen vielversprechend – Yushka kümmerte sich instinktiv um ihren Nachwuchs. Doch ab Donnerstagnachmittag ließ ihr Interesse nach. Als unerfahrene Mutter hat sie die Aufzucht leider abgebrochen – ein Verhalten, das bei Erstgebärenden im Tierreich vorkommen kann. Yushka hat beim ersten Mal instinktiv viel richtig gemacht und gelernt, aber heute mussten wir schweren Herzens eingreifen und die drei geschwächten Jungtiere einschläfern, um ihnen weiteres Leid zu ersparen. Eine Handaufzucht kam bewusst nicht in Frage. Die Aufzucht von Nachwuchs durch die Katzenmutter sowie das Lernen vom Muttertier durch den Nachwuchs sind für das natürlich Verhalten ohne Fehlprägungen essentiell. Diesem wissenschaftlichen Anspruch zur artgemäßen Wildtierhaltung sind wir als Zoo Leipzig ebenso wie unsere Fachkollegen verpflichtet. Auch wenn wir traurig und enttäuscht sind, bleibt die Hoffnung: Yushka hat wichtige Erfahrungen gesammelt, die ihr bei einem nächsten Wurf helfen können. Als Teil eines internationalen Zuchtprogramms setzen wir alles daran, langfristig zum Erhalt der Amurtiger beizutragen."