ZSL Whipsnade Zoo Whipsnade zoo 2017

A 15-20 something female from Knuthenborg Safari Park.

 

Another Brown Bear arrival is imminent.

 

This makes me very happy if true,

 

I'm sure it's true and unless something goes wrong there will soon be 4 bears in the enclosure again for the first time in about 7 years

 

I wonder if the new Brown Bair arrivel is Hayley the sole lone bair at Dartmoor zoo that reacently lost her only mate of 30+ years Fudge. Dartmoor always said that if Fudge left they would look for a new zoo/mate for Hayley I live near Dartmoor zoo and Know the owner Benjamin Mee extremely well so I can safely say this. However Benjamin always said that no zoo would accept an elderly bair like Hayley but with Whipsnades change of circumstances Hayley moving to Whipsnade would be an obvious choice.

 

The new bear is not due to come from Dartmoor. It will be the sister of the two that arrived recently.

 

So a family reunion then that should be Grreat a play on words there! Donna the elephants calf must be due soon any updates on the elephant herd would be greatly appreciated.

 

Recent additions in the penguin pool. A group of new Rockhoppers have arrived, so the group is now significantly larger.

 

Elephant gestation period is very long (not far off 2 years) so I would say she's got a way to go yet.

 

Are the penguins still split between the two pools?

During the winter I have always felt its very brave of people to venture down to the Penguins!

 

Visited Friday night (!) for the zoo’s inaugural “Wild Lights.” The trail started at the lemurs following the path behind the chimps and concluding near the butterfly house.

Have to admit to feeling slightly underwhelmed. Although the lantern trail along the chimps was well done, everything else seemed to have been lumped onto the small picnic lawn between the Discovery Centre and ladies toilets!

A work in progress for next year perhaps. A shame I can’t compare to similar events at Chester or Longleat, which I’d like to visit.

 

from Facebook: Closed today due to snow blocking roads

 

Longleat's is always done well but expensive, having caught a glimpse of Chester's on my way out last weekend I can safely confirm that although I can see why it draws the crowds it's not for me!

 

Its Whipsnade, brave to venture down in the summer!

I love to visit but it is the coldest, windiest zoo. Appropriate clothing required.

 

I love Whipsnade too, always have, but it isn't the best location for a Zoo, especially the part overlooking the Downs.

 

It is however delightful for a picnic on a warm summers day...

 

The number of times I have been down to the penguins and been absolutely frozen! Part of the fun though!

On a beautiful crisp winters day the zoo is a lovely place to be

 

How large is the group now?

 

Counted 23 when we visited on Friday.

 

The ZSL Animal Inventory lists seven rockhopper penguins (3.4) as at 1st January 2017 so twenty-three is a huge increase over the year; excellent news,