Woburn news 2012 » Woburn Safari Park

29-02-2012

Thanks for posting anyway.

01-03-2012

I've actually changed my mind about the narrator now, he's grown on me. I'm enjoying it much more now.

Visit 17th March 2012
18-03-2012

a quick report from my visit today - first time I've been for about 3 years or so - not much has changed structure wise I thought. The new Tiger House isn't finished yet but still being worked on. I didn't check out the new sealion bit but from a distance it looks an impressive structure.
New Guidebook though (with free car sticker). - for those who collect the guidebooks this one has the elephants on the cover and is the wide page form type, 40th anniversary year I think.

OK - the Safari drive - it was teaming down when I arrived so soggy sheltering animals was the order of the morning, brightened up nicely later though.
The Wildebeest are indeed in with the White Rhino area - they are Blue Wildebeest, I'd not seen the sub species reported anywhere.
There is a young calf in this paddock too - I think it is an Eland but it was well tucked down so don't shoot me if I'm wrong.
Only saw 2 Oryx/Gemsbok but very nice to see them close up.

Tigers both snoozing at the back of the enclosure along the fence. On to the lions, a bit of fisticuffs amonst the females, one of the younger/smaller ones wa being put in her place by the older/larger females, nothing too serious though. The new male is currently separated in an enclosure on the exit from lion country - he's young by the looks of it but speaking to the keepers it seems that some introductions have been done and they are looking good so far.

The giraffe were all kept in around their house/feeding area - Woburn have an impressive herd now - I counted 13 animals including the young calf (very cute) and a couple of slightly older calves born last year. Whatever the giraffe keepers are doing I congratulate them as the animals seem very content and are breeding well.

Zebra are now in the last paddock before the exit past the camels, addax, somali wild ass (shame these are so far from the road, I'd like a closer look). They were quite peaceful until of one the keepers driving guests in a landrover on an 'off road experience' managed to reverse into visitors car (oops!!) the cruch startled the zebra a tad and I was suddenly surrounded by them - great photo opportunity!!

On to the Foot Safari - Lemur walkthrough is as entertaining as ever, the keeper think that one of the Red Fronted Lemurs is pregnant which is great news if correct. The ring tailed troup (ex Cotswolds wildlife park) have settled in nicely - they are 1 castrated male and the rest females - very active. The Black & Whites tried to nibble my camera but settled for a tickle and a groom instead - the things I do for my art!!
Past the Humbolts Penguins - lots of fish in the pool from the last feed - that's not something I'm used to seeing as normally penguins scoff everything, does it mean that Woburns are being fed too much or too often maybe? I don't know.

I was really fortunate to get the 2 Lynx awake and very active - the sisters are about 17 years old now and look great. They were both calling and interacting nicely - got some great photos

I opted for a second spin around the safari drive and this time went through the Monkey Forest as I wanted to see the Patas Monkeys and the Bongo. Spotted the Barbery Macaques but the Drill Monkeys were nowhere to be seen. One of the Patas Monkeys took excepting to me pointing a long camera lens at him and sprang at my car = I have muddy monkey hand and footprints on my door - little sod

Think that's about it for Woburn.

18-03-2012

Glad you enjoyed your visit - The new male is 'Kasanga' he was born in 2009/10. I believe he has met at least one female possibly more, I'd be interested to see the reaction of the three Castrated males.

18-03-2012

I believe the female calf was born 23rd February as you say mother is Acacia father is Casper. Her name will begin with M as all 2012 babies are to begin with M.

20-03-2012

I am going for a trip 2nd April, a Monday, no school hols so should be OK.....(famous last words)
My question. Are these monkeys more car friendly than...........say baboons, if you get my drift . I can handle dirty hand and foot prints and even a poop or two on the car, but if they have a record for damage like baboons do then I will not drive through.

cheers for the info posted.

20-03-2012

They snapped my aerial.

20-03-2012

Cheers JM.

I think I will take carful observation from a distance first drive around and look at a few cars for any damage before deciding.

20-03-2012

I've never had any trouble at Woburn - the Barbary Macaques and Drills have never shown any interest in the cars at all when I've been there and the Patas have restricted themselves to muddy footprints!

25-03-2012

I would never take my car in with free baboons - they are delinquents
I LOVE watching other people having their cars dismantled though

I watched others go around Woburn and the Drills, Macaques & Patas are so much better behaved. Generally the Patas only seemed to jump onto a roof if the car actually stopped still, so I kept rolling and they ignored me as a free ride opportunity. But the one who was practicing Freerunning by bouncing off my car door actually watched me point a long lens at him and focus before he took exception. To be honest a few muddy footprints are a badge of honour, I have African Hunting Dog tooth marks in my mudguard from West Midlands (safari park - not just from driving through Birmingham!) and I have no intention of swapping them!

31-03-2012

Any truth to the rumour that Woburns Elephant calf was stillborn this week?

31-03-2012

It's mentioned on the elephant database but I cannot find it elsewhere. If its true that a terrible loss that both of raja's calves have died in the same week.

31-03-2012

There is a statement on their website. It is very sad, especially as it was Raja's first calf.

01-04-2012

Are these two consecutive still births a coincidence? Or is there something else going on with a common factor? i.e. the EEHV1 virus....

01-04-2012

Or could it just be the fact that both females were first time mums,and still births are very common with first time mothers!