ZSL Whipsnade Zoo Whipsnade zoo 2017

Probably moving a new bull in would have been a better plan,but how many of the females are likely to breed now?

 

Currently the females in the herd consist of:
Clara- aged 36- bred 3 times with current bull
Tootsi- aged 25- bred twice at WMSP never at Whipsnade
Tuli- aged 10- never bred
Mikumi- aged 27- bred 4 times with current male
Nowana- aged 39- bred 4 timed with current male
The male Nsiswa is 29
I think they did AI on the females a couple of years ago, so either the bull no longer mates with them or the females aren't letting him mate with him. That situation is like the one at Woburn with the elephants; the male wants to mate but the females won't let him.

 

Start anew with a new male and the youngest female. Of the older cows only F Mikumi would stand any chance of breeding with a new male ever.

 

Bus services to Whipsnade are changing. I believe today was the last run of the X31 that typically ran every two hours via the zoo between Hemel Hempstead and Luton (Monday-Saturday).
There is a different service no 35 to the zoo on the St Albans to Dunstable route.
details seem to be at .

Upcoming Service Changes
http://www.centrebus.info/Documents/34 35 Dunstable to St Albans Mon-Sat 010517.pdf

 

Bad news if you use the Midland Main Line and get off at Luton?

 

It is bad news all around, esp. on weekends. Basically you are somehow condemned to spend only 5,5 hours in or you miss the bloody busses back to St. Alban. There is yer public transport service.

 

I have been visiting Whipsnade at least seven or eight times (sometimes more) annually for many years.

I used to travel between Whipsnade and Hemel Hempstead railway station by bus X31; this route enabled me to arrive at Whipsnade before11:00am and leave the zoo around 5:30pm.

Travelling from either Luton or St. Albans, instead of Hemel Hempstead, results in a more awkward railway journey for me which, although obviously a nuisance, is not a serious problem.

However, the new Saturday timetable, necessitates having to cut short my Whipsnade visit and leave the zoo long before 4:00pm to catch the last bus which is a very major inconvenience. Yes, I agree; bad news all round.

 

The white rhinoceros "Tootsie" went to Africa Alive on 24th April; "Pipaluk" and I saw her there today.

 

I think she stands a better chance at breeding and mating successfully here.

 

AA are putting together a nice herd; A proven breeding bull, 2 females in there 20's and a young female

 

Indian Rhino, Bali departed for La Fleche Zoo last week

 

Had a great afternoon up at the Zoo earlier, will post some photos soon.

Really impressed with the new Elephant house and Hunting Dog enclosure. Could watch Hunting dogs for ages! Also found the Yak really suited the paddock, first time I have really ever spent time looking at them.

On the mound next to the Antelope house (on the Rhino mixed paddock) there was building work that looked like a covered viewing shelter.

 

Few bits from my visit last week,as mentioned in the London zoo thread 2 vicuñas have now arrived and are in the old male moose enclosure (next to the chimps) they are currently being kept apart. There is a walkway being made between the white rhinos and the giraffe with a lookout point over the outdoor area of rhino/antelope.Only 4 lynx were on show and there was a lot of keepers/vets at what i can only assume is the lynx indoor area,so hoping this was nothing to serious.

 

I notice today that at some point this week Oscar has disappeared from the sea lions; his picture has also been removed. Anyone know what's happened to him? By the way, in January someone said their enclosure work wasn't going to happen this year - building work is well under way.

Tootsie went to Africa Alive Meet Zimba and Tootsie - the newest arrivals at Africa Alive!

 

Building work at the Sea Lions? Oh cool, what could you see?

 

They are being kept inside and the whole outdoor area is hoarded off saying building work in progress, talks restart in the summer. On the area to the right of the stage, which used to be rocks, some sort of brick building is being made, there's a couple of windows visible looking onto the stage. Work started early April-ish.

 

Oh right interesting! Possibly making the outside area just an exhibit instead of arena?

 

So has anyone seen oscar or would they have moved him on so his mum can breed again?

 

Well not far to go now until it's Sunset Safari at Whipsnade on 24th June