ZSL Whipsnade Zoo ZSL Whipsnade Zoo News 2025

[cerperal]

I just want to say that this isn't really comparable to Paignton's situation. ZSL are financially in a really good position currently, and have fully recovered from the pandemic and the lows of the mid-2010s. This scheme is to shore up that £2 million buffer that gets tapped into for development costs, but even without that they wouldn't be struggling for money. If anything, ZSL struggle to spend it at the moment out of fear of another pandemic/financial crash/meteor strike on Regent's Park etc. I can't say I blame them for it but it seems wrong to me that the all too often sidelined staff are the ones who have to suffer the consequences

That said, I hope that it still gives a boost to the idea of the government providing support of zoos. It's an insult to our history as a nation that pioneered zoological study, and especially to the societies, that they are left to fend for themselves while seemingly every other attraction gets a boost from the coffers

also I'm guessing these redundancies will be at management level as I'm sure they can't afford to lose keepers

Unfortunately it's generally the opposite. The main staff who are at risk are those working in retail and doubled up by volunteers (for example the ones who do the talks). The keepers are only slightly higher on the pecking order because you can just retrain them and they're popular enough to have replacements come in on lower wages

 

[Rosie183]

Visited today I wanted to share some observations and ask a few questions about our visit today. We noticed that both female giraffes seemed quite heavily pregnant. Could you please confirm if this is indeed the case?
Additionally, we couldn't spot any hunting dogs during our visit.
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit, but we were curious about the possibility of installing a video camera in the lions' den. Today, because of the strong winds, the lions were locked in, and we couldn't see them. Having a video camera would allow visitors to watch them even in such situations.
we couldn't see any aardvarks or porcupines in their enclosure, which often seems to be the case. Anna the tapir was also out of sight, and we couldn't spot a red panda, likely because they were hiding from the winds. sadly no bird show was on today.. and could only see 3 brown bears and I think 1 juvenile camel .. wondered if anyone had seen both of the juvenile recently? Still couldn’t see the elusive female indian Rhino hopefully soon she will start to appear and grow in confidence to meet the male .

 

[Lafone]

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit, but we were curious about the possibility of installing a video camera in the lions' den. Today, because of the strong winds, the lions were locked in, and we couldn't see them. Having a video camera would allow visitors to watch them even in such situations.

Could be something to suggest to the zoo...video screens showed the bears during the period of torpor this year

although the times the winds will be so strong the lions are inside are likely to be fairly few and far between in comparison.

 

[Rosie183]

Could be something to suggest to the zoo...video screens showed the bears during the period of torpor this year

although the times the winds will be so strong the lions are inside are likely to be fairly few and far between in comparison.

That would work brilliantly as this is the cubs first cold weather approaching winter… so I don’t know how often the keepers will feel it’s necessary to keep the lions indoors for their own safety..

 

[cerperal]

That would work brilliantly as this is the cubs first cold weather approaching winter… so I don’t know how often the keepers will feel it’s necessary to keep the lions indoors for their own safety..

It's generally because of the requirement for Category 1 animals to be kept inside once winds reach a certain speed - off the top of my head it's 40mph but it could be higher; it's been a while since I've read the rules. The dens tend to have cameras anyway for keeper use so I don't see the problem in just hooking up a TV public-side as well

 

[JoB198]

Could be something to suggest to the zoo...video screens showed the bears during the period of torpor this year

although the times the winds will be so strong the lions are inside are likely to be fairly few and far between in comparison.

My impression was that this wasn't 'live' video though?

 

[Lafone]

My impression was that this wasn't 'live' video though?

Indeed it was curated footage of the den and then some context for torpor though they refreshed it during the season. So not a stream (guess fast asleep bears are a tad tedious).

The only other time I’ve seen it used is YWP where people standing around it just made comments that the pictures of things were better on their TVs so you can’t have everything - I wonder how many people actually would stand and watch it if it wasn’t cubs or something.

 

[Tetradactyla]

I seem to recall the "Cub Cam" in Tiger Territory at London Zoo was also curated footage played on a loop. I did wonder at the time whether ZSL felt that a live video feed of an off-show area is too "risky" in the case of animals suddenly experiencing medical distress, especially with high-profile species such as the tigers, lions, gorillas, etc., where the zoo's care already seems to come under a microscope in the eyes of the public.

 

[JoB198]

Indeed it was curated footage of the den and then some context for torpor though they refreshed it during the season. So not a stream (guess fast asleep bears are a tad tedious).

The only other time I’ve seen it used is YWP where people standing around it just made comments that the pictures of things were better on their TVs so you can’t have everything - I wonder how many people actually would stand and watch it if it wasn’t cubs or something.

I imagine if the lions were locked in all day, it would be a pile of sleeping fur you'd be watching.

I seem to recall the "Cub Cam" in Tiger Territory at London Zoo was also curated footage played on a loop. I did wonder at the time whether ZSL felt that a live video feed of an off-show area is too "risky" in the case of animals suddenly experiencing medical distress, especially with high-profile species such as the tigers, lions, gorillas, etc., where the zoo's care already seems to come under a microscope in the eyes of the public.

Yes, I thought this too.

 

[Lafone]

I imagine if the lions were locked in all day, it would be a pile of sleeping fur you'd be watching.



Yes, I thought this too.

Yes and I’d imagine the larger reason to do it at the bears was less to show they were there and more to offer ‘in your face’ signage about where they are for a couple of months. Using the regular enclosure signs it comes up all the time they are missing or ‘never out’.. A big screen helps as people did look at it but enabled the zoo to explain torpor.

 

[JoB198]

Visit today:
- new blesbok in the paddock the zebra stallion was in (opposite chimps)
- African hunting dogs fighting over a feed that had been put down
- incredibly cute Barasingha calves
- Anna the tapir out in the paddock for a time

I know they added a new male bison earlier in the year. I'm still counting 4 bison in total, so assume the old male was moved on?

 

[Monkeyboy]

Visited today I wanted to share some observations and ask a few questions about our visit today. We noticed that both female giraffes seemed quite heavily pregnant. Could you please confirm if this is indeed the case?
Additionally, we couldn't spot any hunting dogs during our visit.
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit, but we were curious about the possibility of installing a video camera in the lions' den. Today, because of the strong winds, the lions were locked in, and we couldn't see them. Having a video camera would allow visitors to watch them even in such situations.
we couldn't see any aardvarks or porcupines in their enclosure, which often seems to be the case. Anna the tapir was also out of sight, and we couldn't spot a red panda, likely because they were hiding from the winds. sadly no bird show was on today.. and could only see 3 brown bears and I think 1 juvenile camel .. wondered if anyone had seen both of the juvenile recently? Still couldn’t see the elusive female indian Rhino hopefully soon she will start to appear and grow in confidence to meet the male .

There is still 2 juvenile camel but the older is hard to spot as she is as big as the smallest adult now. Total of 7.

 

[Jedd Cullinan]

Morning all. I have some news for you to hear. Remember the Scratching Pad that left my house for Whipsnade Zoo last year ? Well I'm happy to say that I just heard that it has finally been put to good use by the elephants and they really loved the scratching pad and Lucha ended up eating it but no it's wonderful news about the Scratching Pad been enjoyed which is really great!

 

[Panthera1981]

Male Reticulated giraffe Bashu was euthanised on Monday due to untreatable intestinal issues leading to kidney failure. He was 13 years old.

Bashu succeeded the previous breeding bull, Uno. I have many very fond memories of Bashu, of note once being lifted off my feet by him during a browse feed!

 

[tennisfan]

Link to Bashu announcement
An update on Bashu the giraffe | Whipsnade Zoo

 

[rhinofan12]

Male Reticulated giraffe Bashu was euthanised on Monday due to untreatable intestinal issues leading to kidney failure. He was 13 years old.

Bashu succeeded the previous breeding bull, Uno. I have many very fond memories of Bashu, of note once being lifted off my feet by him during a browse feed!

So sad and so soon after his successful foot operation, heart goes out to the keepers.

 

[ajmcwhipsnade]

Male Reticulated giraffe Bashu was euthanised on Monday due to untreatable intestinal issues leading to kidney failure. He was 13 years old.

Bashu succeeded the previous breeding bull, Uno. I have many very fond memories of Bashu, of note once being lifted off my feet by him during a browse feed!

Such sad news, I always feel so bad for the keepers and staff who have to make the tough decision. My thoughts go out to the keepers and the rest of the giraffe herd.

 

[Lafone]

Male Reticulated giraffe Bashu was euthanised on Monday due to untreatable intestinal issues leading to kidney failure. He was 13 years old.

Bashu succeeded the previous breeding bull, Uno. I have many very fond memories of Bashu, of note once being lifted off my feet by him during a browse feed!

That's very sad news, hard for the keepers and staff and sad for everyone who has enjoyed watching him over his time there. After all the work on his feet - they really did a great job caring for him. He's left a legacy though with all the lovely youngsters he's helped produce.

 

[Rosie183]

If anyone does happen to visit I suspect Bashu has at least one if not both female giraffe expecting ! Maybe not imminent but I suspect he may have left them at least new life into the giraffe heard going forward! Xx

 

[JoB198]

I wondered when I was there on Sunday where he was, as everybody else was out and about and he wasn't visible at all, even in the house (the back section was closed off). I wondered if he wasn't well.

Both females looked pretty slim to me at the moment but we shall see!