An update on the lions: As well as the existing 3 females, the zoo will receive a male from Winnipeg who will remain in a separate on-show enclosure for 6 monthes under rabies quarantine. Furthermore, although no date has been set, the zoo will also receive a male and female from Sakkarbaug Zoo, Gir. Upon arrival, this pair will remain in quarantine off-show at Whipsnade for 6 monthes
Is this what is really happening behind the scenes. The new exhibit opens on 25 March and it seems that there will only be 3 females on show. You mention quarantine arrangements for other lions, how does this work with those people who have booked an overnight stay in a lodge, they will have an experience with no lions !!!!!
Does anybody know the origins of the Winnipeg Asiatic lions ? I did not know there were any in Canada .
I think the Assiniboine Park Zoo originally had African lions but in 2012, they decided to take in a pair of Asiatic lions to replace the African lions. They had 2 asiatic lions, twin boys born in 2010 called Bhanu and Kamal. They arrived in Winninpeg in 2012 from Zoologischer Garten Magdeburg, Germany
There are two outdoor enclosures in the plans - the lion beach and watering hole (1900 square metres) which includes the previous lion enclosure and the Gir forest enclosure (857 sq m) which faces B.U.G.S. There is also a small off-show outdoor enclosure. All have access to the off-show den block, the big enclosure also has an on-show den. I think they could hold two groups without too many problems, unless they prove unexpectedly prolific *touches wood* Alan
The 3 lionesses returned from Whipsnade today. The trucks arrived a little before midday, and roaring could be heard from the off-show areas.
Given how they made out the earlier news items, I would suspect they will maintain more than one breeding pride at ZSL. It is a grand project for ZSL both at home and in situ in Gir Forest ...!!!
That seems a bit early. Are they off show in part of the new development that has been finished, or in the small area behind the Mappins?
Seemed rather early to me too, but it is definitely them, had it confirmed by a keeper, a couple of volunteers and all the whispers that I overheard on Wednesday were about them being back. I'm not sure exactly where they are/were, but it sounded like they were in the off show area near the Blackburn Pavilion, the room with the 2 wooden hatches, but I can't be certain.
Some things from a quick visit this morning: The lion enclosure has been laid with new grass. Can confirm that the old moat is still there. The Gentle Lemur enclosures in the Clore have been cleared; the lemurs are now in the Casson sharing an enclosure with the Armadillos. The Okapi house is still closed, a sign on the rear door states it is a Quarantine Zone Hunting Dog puppies are growing well and looking healthy. They will soon outgrow that enclosure.
The male lion arriving from Winnipeg is called Bhanu, and he should be on show for the opening of the new exhibit. A decision on breeding pairs will be made once he, and the Gir pair, have had their respective quarantine. It would appear that all the lions will remain in the UK.
ZSL will be sending a pair of Cheetah to India in exchange for the new lions Gujarat to get Rhinos, Cheetah, Wolves | DeshGujarat
Because the Cheetahs are not in London zoo, will they Be From Whipsnade and When the Cheetahs leave, how many have they got left or will it be like the Wolf enclosure, it will just be empty?
I doubt there's too much chance of another empty enclosure, Whipsnade held 11 cheetahs at 1/1/16 according to the 2016 inventory.
Something else quite interesting that I noticed on the 2016 animal inventory that I haven't seen being mentioned anywhere are two female narrow-striped mongooses (or boky-boky if you prefer). I'm guessing they aren't on show yet and could have been the two formerly at RSCC? EDIT: To save trawling around trying to find the inventory, I'm going to attach it here. https://admin.zsl.org/sites/default/files/media/2016-02/ZSL London Zoo animal inventory.pdf
What's going on with London Zoo? In the last year they've got Aye Aye back on show and added Duikers, tree kangaroo and now these! If all these go on show I might actually stop criticising the place!!
