when did it die out?

Probably got your Bontebok mixed up with your Wildebeest

Btw, Lisbon's last Bontebok allready died, afaik...

 

But where did they come from??

Did Wildebeest become extinct in the UK for a while, before these two more recent groups were established at West Midlands & Port Lympne? Port Lympne's came from an Austrian Zoo only a few years ago to add to their 'African experience' area.

I'd be interested to know if the West Midlands ones are descended from original UK stock, or were imported too. ANYBODY?

 

certainly Knowsley has kept them for many years as did Chester.

 

I'm afraid I don't know the answer to that... I just know they were there.
I remember being surprised to see them 'cause I didn't think there were any in the UK.

 

Oh does Knowsley have them? I can only remember some of the animals they had - it seems an age since I went there.

 

Yes Knowsley does have them

 

Chester's wildebeest came from East Africa in 1951 and were kept at the zoo until the remaining 4 females were sent away in 1994.

 

Im trying to remember what other zoos apart from Chester kept Wildebeest in the UK within the recent past. I'm pretty sure Whipsnade had a group but not for many years now.. Marwell had a trio of white-tailed Gnu for a while when it first opened also.

Bongorob reports that Chester's Gnu arrived in 1951- so they (or their descendants) were at the zoo a long time till their departure. If Knowsley's are the animals from Chester, I'm now wondering where West Midlands' stock came from?

 

Here is a very interesting article about Fred Shaw Mayer, much thanks to him that several New Guinea species is well established in captivity.

http://www.publish.csiro.au/?act=view_file&file_id=MU9920250.pdf