Whipsnade Report » Whipsnade Zoo

Originally Posted by zoogiraffe

Ben was the last calf born at Chester if my memory serves me correctly.

Originally Posted by CZJimmy

Just got back from a very long visit today!

I'll post a comprehensive review in another thread soon, so i'm not hijacking Tigerlemurguy's own thread.

Some points though

- There were indeed two cheetah in the original enclosure close to the entrance
- 6 cheetah are visible in Cheetah Rock
- The Gaur (well at least 2 of them) are in the old enclosure by the Indian Rhinos (i've got some pics to post as well!)
- Kaylee the elephant is pregnant, one of the keepers mentioned it during 'elephantastic'
- Roopa is currently living alone in the old rhino accomodation, whilst Hugo and the mother/daughter pairs use the new house.
- No sign of Ben (the old male hippo). His enclosure was empty and the two females used the enclosure by the bridge.

Originally Posted by Pertinax

Just looked on ISIS and they're listed with O.2. so 'Ben' the Hippo isn't there now(okay, I was skeptical...) However West Midlands are now listed as having 1.8 Is this a young male bred there or could Ben been transferred there for breeding? . He is quite old now. I somehow think its more likely he has died at Whipsnade though I hope I'm wrong..

Gaur- still listed as 2.1. As the hippo listing has been changed recently, any change in the Gaur status would have been altered too.

Originally Posted by CZJimmy

WMSP have always had a young bull hippo (I think he was a calf from a couple of years ago) I read on here though that he hasn't appeared interested in any of the females. It's looking more and more likely that Ben has died...

Originally Posted by Pertinax

That's what I thought. Ben was definately still at Whipsnade in June. I guess 43 is a good age. If they want a new male they may have to get one from Europe, or Dublin(2.1) as there are no others in UK (I think the Flamingo Park one is castrated?) Or maybe they'll just keep the mother and daughter now.

Originally Posted by zoogiraffe

You are correct the 1 at Flamingoland is castrated not sure about the ones at Dublin.But as you say plenty in europe if they wany another male.

Originally Posted by Pertinax

I believe castrating a hippo is actually difficult and has only been done without losing the animal on very few occassions.

I don't think Dublin's have been done, presumably they are father & son.

Originally Posted by zoogiraffe

Yes i had heard that as well somebody at Flamingoland told me that theres was the first successfull one done in the U.K not sure how true that is,as for Dublins yes they are father and son.

Originally Posted by Pertinax

Very probably it was- after all there are now very few (4?) male Hippo in UK at all.