WHIPSNADE ZOO

Whipsnade Zoo
Opened: 1931
Area: 600 acres
Location: Dunstable, England

It had been nearly 2 years since my last visit and back then I wasn't really able to fully understand and appreciate Whipsnade, so I wanted to go back and have a proper look at the park. We paid the £17 extra to take the car into the park and it helps especially for such a long visit.

In my opinion, Whipsnade is split into roughly 3 areas - Entrance, Asia & Africa. Throughout the zoo free-ranging animals move from enclosure to enclosure and throughout the woods. These are chinese water deer, muntjac, bennett's wallabies, mara and peafowl.

Entrance
The first exhibit visitors see as they enter the park is the excellent 'In with the Lemurs'. Opened in 2007, a walk-through exhibit was developed from an already existing lemur island (which had been devoted to Gerald Durrell). Visitors enter the island and watch the ring-tail lemurs climbing ropes, crossing fences in front of them and relaxing by a small pond. Volunteers are on hand throughout the day to ensure people stick to the rules in the walk-through and whilst i was there, even small children showed a respectful attitude whilst inside. The Lemur enclosure is in the shadow of Whipsnade's old Lubetkin designed Elephant House, nothing lives inside here at the moment, but there are signs up saying that plans are being thought of for it.

Next up is the Chimpanzee Island. It is a decent, quite heavily planted enclosure although there could be more climbing frames. The indoor area is decent and provides some climbing opportunities and the floor is covered in bark for foraging. The original chimp enclosure still stands, although it doesn't appear that chimps still use it (it appears to be based on the old primate enclosures in the Sobell Pavillions at London).


Two more refreshingly good enclosures in the area are 'Wolf Wood' and the Brown Bear exhibit. Both exhibits devote large areas of heavily planted land for these animals (the wolves even have their own corner of woodland). In my opinion, it is the best bear enclosure in the UK and the Wolf enclosure easily compares to those at the UK's safari parks


Other enclosures in the area are a reindeer pen, a wisent paddock, a paddock for white wallabies and storks, bison hill and the penguin pools. All of these are spacious and the penguin pool is perfectly located on the edge of the dunstable downs with the freezing wind blowing.

The zoo's tropical house is located near the entrance, named the Discovery Centre. Visitors enter the house into the desert section, featuring creepie crawlies (such as the red-kneed tarantula), fish, reptiles and my favourite in this section, the dwarf mongoose group (as well as some other mammals). Visitors continue to the underwater world, where a host of fish, reptiles and amphibians are kept (including a bizarre snake-naked turtle). The next section is called the forest floor and keeps invertabrates, reptiles and amphibians. Visitors then progress further, where they can see Dwarf Crocodiles, Leaf-Cutter Ants, Geoffrey's Marmosets, Saki Monkeys, Pirannha, Iguanas and other forest creatures.

I will also include the short-clawed otters, red pandas and sealions in this section. The otters and pandas have fairly standard, but decent sized enclosures that are nothing special for two species which are seen in a number of collections. One of the few disappointing enclosures in the zoo is for the sealions. They have quite basic pools and the whole sealion complex is looking very tired with paint flaking and the white exterior becoming dirty.

Also in the section is a spacious Children's Farm (with grass fields for the animals!), a woodland bird walk and the bird garden. However, owing to time constraints, I was unable to see these parts.

Asia
I'll start the review of the Asian Section with the Elephants. Whipsnade is home to a large group of these magnificent animals and there is regular breeding. Now, I think that Whipsnade has one of the best elephant set-ups in the UK. There is a huge, grassed paddock, complete with scratching trees, rocks, shade structure and two pools. The Bull facilities are also good as he has his own seperate house, sanded paddocks, pool and a section of grassed paddock. Not only do they have this all this space, but the keepers will also walk the elephants around the zoo and in sections of the woodland for them to browse. An elephant demonstration also takes place once a day for about half an hour (not overworking the elephants).


The next most notable exhibit in the Asian Section is named 'Rhinos of Nepal' and is home to the zoo's Indian Rhinos. Opened earlier this year, the new rhino house was an upgrade for the rhinos with additions of heated indoor pools and also an upgrade for visitors by making the area more attractive. The old houses are still in use alongside the new facility. Visitors can walk up to a watchtower where they can observe the rhinos in their large paddocks (which includes a pond and mud wallows). They can also overlook the Asian drive-through reserve from here.


Next door to the old Rhino house is a mother and son pair of Gaur. These majestic asian cattle are the only ones in the UK and they recently lost a male.

Continuing past the new Rhino house, visitors will see the Sloth Bears which were recently moved from the London site. The bears are a lot more active out in the countryside than in the city, which is good to see. The mother of the bears lives seperately and has access to a woodland area, which is mostly off-show. The brother and sister bears have a large grassy paddock, which could do with some more plants, but it is pretty good.

Opposite the bears is a huge Onager paddock. A notable point of the Asian section is the 'Journey through Asia' which is a drive-through reserve (in a similar style to a safari park) which keeps herds of Asian Deer. Also visible are large herds of Przewalski Wild Horses, Bactrian Camels and Yak. The Indian Rhinos and Sloth Bears can also be seen from the road. A railway runs through the reserve (for people who don't bring their cars in) and elephants can also be seen from their enclosure from the railway, as well as the other species.

The last species in this area is Amur Tigers. They live in a fantastic woodland enclosure named 'Tiger Falls'. The tigers have a large pool for swimming, with glass viewing windows next to it. There is also climbing platforms and visitors observe them from an overhead bridge.


Africa
Africa is probably one of the most spectacular areas in Whipsnade. The most dominating area is that of the White Rhino. It is a massive multi-acre grassed paddock which is home to the zoo's breeding herd of these massive creatures. Waterbuck and Roan Antelope also share the paddocks. One drawback, is that the animals prefer to stay towards the centre of the enclosure, which due to it's size means that it is hard to take good photos with my pathetic zoom feature on my camera!

One impressive area of the section is named 'Lions of the Serengeti'. This is home to african lions (obviously!), meerkats, sitatunga, red river hogs, Grevy's Zebra and scimitar-horned oryx. Visitors belive they are entering an African camp where they see meerkats in a new enclosure before heading into a viewing building for the lions. Inside there is a panoramic view as it appears the lions are in the same exhibit with the oryx, although hidden fences seperate them. Nearby paddocks hold the zebra, red river hogs and sitatunga.


The newest area of Africa is 'Cheetah Rock'. This simulates an African research station and the cheetahs can be seen from across a moat or through glass inside a hut. The surrounding area has been themed and there are activities for children to take part in. Behind Cheetah rock is a large herd of Nile Lechwe.

Next to the cheetahs is the hippo complex. I reckon this is the best hippo exhibit in the UK as the water seems cleaner than WMSP and Flamingoland and there is a large grass riverbank for grazing. There is also public access to the indoor quarters The area also holds pygmy hippo in paddocks next to the common hippo. Greater Kudu occupy a paddock opposite the hippos.


Other animals kept in large paddocks in this section are Bongo, Reticulated Giraffe, Gemsbok, Ostrich and Common Zebra (I think). The Bongo in particular are given access to thick woodland which creates a good forest feel. Arabian Oryx also have live here, but I couldn't see them.

Evaluation
I feel that Whipsnade is one of the finest zoos in this country (my #2 behind Chester). Nearly every animal has access to a great enclosure and many of them live in proper social groups of numerous individuals. The park's breeding records speak for themselves (cheetah and white rhino particularly) and it seems to be in a better position for development than it's sister zoo London.

Excellent:
Tiger enclosure
elephant enclosure
both rhino enclosures
brown bear
wolves
penguin enclosure

Poor:
Sealion exhibit
the gaur and old indian rhino houses

CHESTER ZOO

Hello all to my first review.

Chester Zoo
Opened: 1931
Area: 111 acres
Location: Cheshire England

West Zoo
The first exhibit you will come to is ‘Elephants of the Asian Forest’. This is the zoo’s multi-million pound home for asian elephants, Indian hornbill and a range of other asian mammals, birds, reptiles and fish. Visitors wander up a forest path (with bird aviaries) before entering a lushly-planted house. The elephants are concealed and the visitors believe that they are viewing them through trees in the forest. The outdoor enclosure is adequate but could be larger. The elephants have a large pool with waterfall and a feeding wall.


West Zoo/East Zoo
After leaving the elephants, visitors have a choice of direction. For this review, I’ll be heading over a bridge into east zoo. As visitors head over this bridge, the zoo’s pair of Indian rhinos can be seen on the right which share an enclosure with blackbuck and brow-antlered deer. Continuing over the bridge, viewers come upon ‘Condor Cliffs’ which contain Andean condor and black vulture. This aviary is very large and allows for natural flight and can be viewed from two levels. Adjacent to Condor Cliffs, the zoo has built a nice walk-through butterfly house. The Asian Steppe exhibit can also be seen after the bridge. This exhibit is home to Bactrian Camels and Onagers. There is also a gentle lemur enclosure in this area (they also have an island on the canal). If visitors continue along the Asian Steppe enclosure they reach the magnificent Cheetah enclsoure with brilliant views into the grassy paddock. Opposite the Cheetah enclosure is a pair of identical lemur enclosures home of black and white and red ruffed lemurs. Anoa can also be seen from a recently constructed vieweing area on a bridge.


East zoo
Continuing over a second bridge and turning left, visitors will see the zoo’s herd of Congo buffalo and the Visayan Warty Pigs both in shady paddocks. There is a large ring-tail lemur island here as well. The largest group of chimps in the UK can be seen on a large heavily planted island with excellent climbing structures and a house which also allows for climbing. Heading backwards, red river hogs and yellow mongooses can be seen on the right in a good enclosure which has grassy and muddy sections. The Okapi paddock is just beyond the river hog paddock. Walking along the okapi paddock, guests will arrive at the giraffe viewing section. The giraffes have a large paddock and special browse holders are placed near the viewing area. Visitors enter the giraffe house (which is basic but adequate) which leads into the themed okapi house named 'Secret World of the Okapi'. The okapi house contains a range of rare African forest rodents, fish and gaboon vipers as well as providing indoor viewing of these mysterious, shy animals


Exiting the okapi house, visitors proceed to the ‘Tropical Realm’ which is a large humid building which contains the majority of the zoo’s reptile collection, a large bird collection and some amphibians and invertebrates. The reptiles, amphibians and inverts are kept on the left hand side of the building, whilst the birds are kept on the right. Notable enclosures include the large indoor and outdoor Tuatara vivarium, the brand new Philippine Crocodile pool and the Javan and Indian Hornbill aviaries (which used to be home to gorillas). Exiting the tropical realm, visitors enter a room where they can see a group of Buffy-Headed Capuchin Monkeys, before continuing outside where they can see an outdoor island for the Capuchins, sand lizards, mallorcan midwife toads, Hyacinth Macaws and many other bird species.


Once leaving the tropical realm, the main thing dominating the scenery is ‘Spirit of the Jaguar’. This large building (which was funded by jaguar cars) is home to Jaguars as well as a supporting cast of South American reptiles, amphibians and fish. The building is split into 2 sections (savannah and forest) and this teaches visitors about the range of a Jaguar’s habitats. The jaguars also have two outdoor areas. One of the highlights of Spirirt of the Jaguar is the colony of Leaf-Cutter ants which inhabit the forest section. Visitors observe the ants getting leaves or fruit from a platform before making there way across a branch into an artificial tree trunk where guests can see the ants in the nest.


Exiting ‘Spirit of the Jaguar’ visitors will immediately see the new stunning Orang-utan exhibit named ‘Realm of the Red ape’ for both Sumatran and Bornean Orangs. Heading up a timber ramp, guests will enter a canopy and look through windows into the Orang’s habitats. The Sumatran Orang-utans have currently have the majority of the new exhibit (2 new outside exhibits and 3 new indoor exhibits) whilst the Borneans occupy the adjoining old house and enclosure and 2 new netted enclosures. Also sharing the Orang’s new home is a range of Indonesian reptiles, mammals, birds and invertebrates. These include a reticulated python and a family group of Lar gibbons (which share with the Sumatran Orangs). Once visitors leave the Orangutan building, they head down a ramp where they can see one of the Sumatran Orang outdoor exhibits and the recently constructed Babirusa and Otter mixed enclosure. Another group of asian short clawed otters also inhabit the Orang outdoor enclosure.


Upon leaving Realm of the Red Ape, visitors will see the zoo’s Chilean and Caribbean Flamingos, the excellent Humboldt penguin exhibit, the aquarium (which is in need of an refurbishment) and the Californian Sealion pool. The Sealion pool gets especially busy during feeding time.

In the next area, visitors can see the excellent Europe on the Edge aviary (which was converted from a waterbirds aviary and the former polar bear enclosure) and ‘Islands in Danger’. Islands in Danger is the great exhibit which is home to endangered island species such as Red Bird of Paradise, Tarictic Hornbills and Komodo Dragons. The Dragons also have their own extension named ‘Dragons in Danger’ which includes a second indoor area and a planted outdoor area. Attached to Islands in Danger is the bird corridor which contains some of the zoo’s avian collection.


Next to Europe on the Edge is the zoo’s Sumatran Tiger enclosure. This is heavily planted but could be larger. The zoo's former 'Children's Zoo' is located in this area and has recently been converted into a small mammal area home to African Porcupines, dwarf mongoose, meerkats and a special marmot area which allows children to crawl through tunnels and emerge into "bubbles" within the marmot enclosure.

Next is the zoo’s quietest area which contains a number of owl aviaries for different species, a bongo paddock, the mostly off-show parrot house, a crane aviary, an excellent red panda enclosure, a kangaroo enclosure, a cassowary pen, a pudu paddock and a bush dog enclosure. Nearby is the Asian Lion enclosure which is large and contains many established trees.

East Zoo/West Zoo
Continuing straight on over the new bridge, visitors get an aerial view of the anoas and cheetah exhibit again before seeing the Philippine spotted deer enclosure (a Warty Pig enclosure will also be built in this area). Getting off the new bridge, visitors can enter ‘The Twilight Zone’ which is a walk-through bat cave containing Rodrigues Fruit Bats, Seba’s short-tailed bats and Livingston’s fruit bats. There is also nocturnal fish, Madagascan hissing cockroaches and Turkish spiny mice in this house.


West Zoo
Exiting the twilight zone takes guests into the Andean forest themed zone. This is home to Brazilian Tapir, Capybara, Vicuna, Rhea, coati and Spectacled Bear.


The west zoo also contains a large number of paddocks which keep Grevy’s Zebra, Scimitar Horned Oryx, Gemsbok, Ostrich, Emu, Wallabies, Sitatunga, Roan antelope, Kafue Flats Lechwe and Przewalski Horses. There is also a series of waterbird aviaries and a large pelican lake.

Monkey Islands is the zoo’s fantastic monkey enclosure. The monkeys kept here are Colombian Black spider Monkeys, Lion-Tailed Macaques, Mandrills and Sulawesi Macaques. The spider monkeys have an electric fenced enclosure, but all of the other species have access to large, heavily planted islands. The indoor areas are deep-littered with woodchips and there is a large range of enrichment for them. Nearby is ‘Miniature Monkeys’ which keeps Black Lion Tamarins, Pied Tamarins and Geoffrey's Marmosets in an area of fenced off mature trees with minimal barriers.

The major zone in west zoo is ‘Tsavo’. This is where the zoo’s black rhinos are kept in excellent exhibits. Also in this area is a good meerkat exhibit and a mixed warthog and mongoose exhibit. A recent addition to this area is the wonderful walk-through avairy which is home to a range of species of Savannah birds (my personal favourite is the Von Der Decken's Hornbill)


Zoolex links:
Miniature Monkeys: http://www.zoolex.org/zoolexcgi/view.py?id=863
Elephants of the Asian Forest: http://www.zoolex.org/zoolexcgi/view.py?id=859
Spirit of the Jaguar: http://www.zoolex.org/zoolexcgi/view.py?id=864
Realm of the Red Ape: http://www.zoolex.org/zoolexcgi/view.py?id=986

In my opinion the best exhibits are Realm of the Red Ape, Spirit of the Jaguar, Monkey Islands, Elephants of the Asian Forest (house), Tsavo, Islands in Danger, Tropical Realm and Twilight Zone. Other good enclosures are the andean forest area, the penguins, the cheetahs, condor cliffs and the chimps.

There are very few disappointing exhibits in the zoo, but I would say the elephant paddock could be larger and the big cat indoor areas could also do with an upgrade.

In my opinion, it is defintely the best zoo in the United Kingdom and this is reinforced by very strong attendance figures each year and new enclosures are being continually built.