I've noticed that White Lipped Deer has been added to current holdings on ZTL, I know it was mentioned a couple of pages back but has anyone seen them or know when they arrived and how many Whipsnade has?
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo ZSL Whipsnade Zoo News 2025
- Thread starter Lafone
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Albert Thomas Budd
Active Member
I added the white-lipped deer to ZTL, I went yesterday and they were signposted.
Kalaw
Well-Known Member
That's excellent news, only 15 holders in Europe it would seem! It seems as though whoever is curating the hoofstock collection at Whipsnade has quick the liking for oddities which is exactly what the zoo needs.
Whereabouts in the zoo was the signpost?
If it’s the same deer that was previously mentioned in this forum (around May / June time) it’s in the enclosure at the start of Monkey Forest, where the emu were. I saw it walk across the enclosure to its stable on a visit mid-June.
That is actually the enclosure for the Tufted Deer
Cheers for clarifying
Im going to have a guess and suggest maybe the paddock behind the cheetahs and on the right as you turn into the PTA.
Albert Thomas Budd
Active Member
Exactly where it is.
Did you see if the Barasingha and hog deer were mixed with them?
After a visit today, I can confirm that the white-lipped deer are in the main Passage through Asia drivethrough (ie. not with the barasingha / hog deer).
They are signed at the entrance to the drivethrough (left hand side):
Although I didn't see them in the main area during an early drivethrough, I did see two in a compound off to the right when you get into PtA.
Late in the day, I spotted two (same two, I assume) in the main part of PtA (near the tufted deer enclosure, making their way back up the hill). I've added a few poor-quality photos to the gallery.
They are signed at the entrance to the drivethrough (left hand side):
Although I didn't see them in the main area during an early drivethrough, I did see two in a compound off to the right when you get into PtA.
Late in the day, I spotted two (same two, I assume) in the main part of PtA (near the tufted deer enclosure, making their way back up the hill). I've added a few poor-quality photos to the gallery.
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Did you notice if both were female? That’s great they are in the PTA, them and banteng are fantastic additions.
Interesting to see the sign for Indochinese Sika Deer (or Vietnamese Sika Deer) when Whipsnade has Japanese Sika Deer.
Pics of both individuals seen, are in the gallery. They looked to be females; one seemed smaller than the other though (or maybe it was just further away
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Pics of both individuals are in the gallery. They looked to be females; one seemed smaller than the other though (or maybe it was just further away
Yeah sorry, just seen them in the gallery! Father Ted does come to mind!
The page on the PTA has been updated to now include four banteng and also mentions the white-lipped deer.
Passage through Asia | Whipsnade Zoo
Passage through Asia | Whipsnade Zoo
A chillier than expected visit today. Some good animal spots though:
- chimps actually using their enclosure (enrichment food just thrown in for them)
- blue crane chick
- Anna the tapir putting in an appearance in her house - a volunteer suggested they were looking for another tapir to join her
- all 10 lions running around and interacting - the way that whole exhibit has come alive since the cubs were born is lovely
- it also seemed like work on changing the fences up in the hippo enclosure had started, with some of the gaps being filled in, presumably preparing for the capybara
- both bongo and all 3 sitatunga out and about and grazing together
- chimps actually using their enclosure (enrichment food just thrown in for them)
- blue crane chick
- Anna the tapir putting in an appearance in her house - a volunteer suggested they were looking for another tapir to join her
- all 10 lions running around and interacting - the way that whole exhibit has come alive since the cubs were born is lovely
- it also seemed like work on changing the fences up in the hippo enclosure had started, with some of the gaps being filled in, presumably preparing for the capybara
- both bongo and all 3 sitatunga out and about and grazing together
As stated on ZTL, 2.0 Vietnamese Sika Deer arrived from Woburn back in May 2025, I presume they are held in Passage through Asia. A great addition to the Deer collection
Kalaw
Well-Known Member
That’s 5 new deer species so far this decade.