ZSL Whipsnade Zoo ZSL Whipsnade Zoo News 2025
- Thread starter Lafone
- Start date
This is very sad news, (this would explain the recent removal on the app) even though the Babirusa had only been at Whipsnade for 2 years, their exhibit in Monkey Forest was well suited for them IMO. I really hope they acquire more soon.
Same, I loved watching them trot around and root things out - really unusual animals. With London still having them and having bred successfully in the recent past, I'd hope more can be sourced fairly easily. Especially as I find the langurs very unshowy, whereas the babirusa was almost always out and about when I went down there.
So sad about the babirusa. It’s become one of my favourite places to go as I’ve always found the langurs and babirusa out and about and so enjoyable to watch.
I wonder if one of the young from London could move to form a breeding pair at whipsnade in the future?
I wonder if one of the young from London could move to form a breeding pair at whipsnade in the future?
Do you mean they all perished.. (how many did the hold)?
JonWild
Well-Known Member
I believe the zoo held two male babirusa and the other male passed away earlier this year I think?
Yes. The remaining male was, I believe, euthanised. I don't think either of them were 'young'.
Dr. Loxodonta
Well-Known Member
Riko the babirusa passed away in early April from heart failure, leaving just his brother Jaya. They only had the two males, and both came from Chester as excess from their breeding program. It’s a real shame that they’ve passed now, as the langurs interacting (and on one time trying to ride) the babirusa was so enjoyable to watch.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Lovely quiet day at Whipsnade today, rewarding a mid week day off in spades. Sunny but the leaves are just starting to turn and it definitely felt like Autumn has arrived.
Some new signage has gone up around the zoo including the talk schedule boards at the entrance and Europe car park being replaced with new clearer signage. The troll sculptures have all been removed. Bird shows at 1330hrs and 1530hrs with the morning show not on but that might be different at weekends.
I wondered if they have lost an Oryx as have been seeing only five of late compared to six earlier in the year and on the inventory - I see that's also mentiond upthead so not too speculative.
Ground works going on in the large bear enclosure with new drainage pipes being installed by a team with diggers. The bears were active in the smaller space.
The Chimp photo signage has all been removed (used to be individual photos of the chimps with names, backgrounds and ages) marking the last of the photo signs (the last name signs to go were the Tigers and then the Wolverines and Bears). I find it a bit of a shame as I think personal information on animals like the chimps is a good way of connecting them with visitors. I feared the worst when I saw the signs were gone I have to say (last time one went in the chimp space, Nicky had died) but then the troop were all outside in the main enclosure enjoying the sunshine which was fun to see.
Elsewhere lots of activity including a dramatic and noisy feed as the lions demolished a deer carcass and good views of the new young Meerkats and the growing crane chicks. Had my first really good views of the new White Lipped deer in A Passage Through Asia. Thought the zoo might add a few wildlife signs in Passage regarding the wild Lapwings as they are now have a healthy and active population and it's turning into a really good place to see them up close, but that's probably me being a bit niche. Good to see the number of juveniles from this year and wildlife making the most of zoo grounds though.
Had a brief glimpse of the new young red panda...I wandered over there a few times and finally (10 mins before closing) there she was emerging from the reed nest for a few moments. Nice way to end the day.
Some new signage has gone up around the zoo including the talk schedule boards at the entrance and Europe car park being replaced with new clearer signage. The troll sculptures have all been removed. Bird shows at 1330hrs and 1530hrs with the morning show not on but that might be different at weekends.
I wondered if they have lost an Oryx as have been seeing only five of late compared to six earlier in the year and on the inventory - I see that's also mentiond upthead so not too speculative.
Ground works going on in the large bear enclosure with new drainage pipes being installed by a team with diggers. The bears were active in the smaller space.
The Chimp photo signage has all been removed (used to be individual photos of the chimps with names, backgrounds and ages) marking the last of the photo signs (the last name signs to go were the Tigers and then the Wolverines and Bears). I find it a bit of a shame as I think personal information on animals like the chimps is a good way of connecting them with visitors. I feared the worst when I saw the signs were gone I have to say (last time one went in the chimp space, Nicky had died) but then the troop were all outside in the main enclosure enjoying the sunshine which was fun to see.
Elsewhere lots of activity including a dramatic and noisy feed as the lions demolished a deer carcass and good views of the new young Meerkats and the growing crane chicks. Had my first really good views of the new White Lipped deer in A Passage Through Asia. Thought the zoo might add a few wildlife signs in Passage regarding the wild Lapwings as they are now have a healthy and active population and it's turning into a really good place to see them up close, but that's probably me being a bit niche. Good to see the number of juveniles from this year and wildlife making the most of zoo grounds though.
Had a brief glimpse of the new young red panda...I wandered over there a few times and finally (10 mins before closing) there she was emerging from the reed nest for a few moments. Nice way to end the day.
Piece of February 2025 News Not Mentioned:
On February 11th, it was announced that the zoo transferred 50+ boxer pupfish eggs to The Bristol Zoo Project in Bristol.
Bristol Zoo Project
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On September 26th, the zoo announced that a Socorro dove hatched in early August, which is the first time in Whipsnade's history of successfully breeding the species.
Whipsnade Zoo
First-Ever Socorro Dove Chick Hatches at Whipsnade Zoo | Whipsnade Zoo
* Worth mentioning that the zoo transferred a female (0.1) great grey owl to The New Forest Wildlife Park in Hampshire in March 2024.
On February 11th, it was announced that the zoo transferred 50+ boxer pupfish eggs to The Bristol Zoo Project in Bristol.
Bristol Zoo Project
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On September 26th, the zoo announced that a Socorro dove hatched in early August, which is the first time in Whipsnade's history of successfully breeding the species.
Whipsnade Zoo
First-Ever Socorro Dove Chick Hatches at Whipsnade Zoo | Whipsnade Zoo
* Worth mentioning that the zoo transferred a female (0.1) great grey owl to The New Forest Wildlife Park in Hampshire in March 2024.
The zoo have announced that, for the first time, they have managed to successfully breed Socorro dove. A single chick hatched in August.
Dr. Loxodonta
Well-Known Member
Already mentioned above by @Smaggledagle, but still brilliant for ZSL. This successful breeding (and rearing) of a Socorro is amazing news for Whipsnade’s conservation efforts, and hopefully there will be more good news to come. Congratulations to the team for their outstanding work.
In an interview with the Head of Birds on BBC local radio this afternoon, it was revealed that a further TWO Socorro doves have successfully hatched.
Whipsnade are now offering staff voluntary redundancy.
ZSL have revealed they need to make savings of £2m a year. Cuts from foreign aid and UK funding are responsible.
Future compulsory redundancies have not been ruled out.
ZSL have revealed they need to make savings of £2m a year. Cuts from foreign aid and UK funding are responsible.
Future compulsory redundancies have not been ruled out.
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Lafone
Well-Known Member
Link to the article on the BBC - savings being sought across all of ZSL so also potentially impacts staff at London.
London and Whipsnade zoos: Voluntary redundancy scheme launched
London and Whipsnade zoos: Voluntary redundancy scheme launched
It wouldn’t surprise me if we hear news from other institutions in the next few weeks. Even though it’s different circumstances, Paignton clearly were the tip of the iceberg.
Could BIAZA make a plea to government on behalf of all of its zoos?
Strathmorezoo
Well-Known Member
I have ,unfortunately, been expecting something like this after I posted on the Paignton Zoo thread that the Lib Dem MP Steve Darling was urging the Environment Secretary to convene an urgent summit to save British Zoos. I really hope that this unfortunate news will bring this to happen sooner rather than later.
My worry is a few voluntary redundancies won't save 2 million a year so what else is around the corner, also I'm guessing these redundancies will be at management level as I'm sure they can't afford to lose keepers.