Whipsnade Zoo

Trick or Treat

Lionesses, Penguins and Pygmy Goats Tear into Spooky Pumpkin Treats at Whipsnade Zoo 

Spirited lionesses Waka and Winta were amongst the many youngsters sinking their teeth into Halloween at Whipsnade Zoo today (Monday 30 October) as zookeepers treated animals across the zoo to a spook-tacular surprise.  

Zookeepers carved petrifying pumpkins for many of the 11,000 animals at the UK’s largest zoo, using the spooky squashes to put the animals' foraging and hunting skills to the test. 

Endangered African peguins have fishy snacks out of Halloween pumpkins (c) Whipsnade Zoo

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Zookeepers Fawn Over Tiny Deer

Zookeepers at Whipsnade Zoo hand rear baby ‘vampire’ deer before they move to London Zoo next month 

Four three-week-old ‘vampire’ deer who measured just 12cm at birth, are being hand-reared by zookeepers at the UK’s largest conservation zoo – protecting an important population of the Vulnerable species.  

Known as vampire deer due to their set of sharp ‘fangs’, the tiny Chinese water deer weighed just over 400g when they were born - the same as a can of soft drink - and are being cared for by zookeepers around the clock to protect them from passing predators.  

Chinese water deer fawns being hand reared by Zookeepers at Whipsnade Zoo 3 (c) Whipsnade Zoo

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Baby Elephant’s First Christmas 

Keepers at Whipsnade Zoo create winter wonderland for Asian elephant herd  

A baby elephant at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo has enjoyed her first taste of Christmas after keepers created a woody winter wonderland for the youngster to explore – officially beginning the countdown to Christmas at the UK’s largest zoo. 

1 baby elephant winter wonderland c ZSL

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Towering New Arrival At ZSL Whipsnade Zoo  

Newborn giraffe calf born on Remembrance Day named after WW1 poet Wilfred Owen 

ZSL Whipsnade Zoo has shared adorable behind-the-scenes pics of its towering new arrival – a six-foot-tall baby giraffe born on Remembrance Day (Friday 11 November).  

Named Wilfred after the renowned WW1 poet Wilfred Owen, exclusive images and footage taken by keepers show the not-so-little one sharing some precious private bonding time with mum Luna and dad Bashu, before the youngster meets the rest of the herd at the UK’s largest zoo.  

3 Wilfred giraffe calf first look at Whipsnade Zoo c ZSL

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Baby Elephant Named ‘Queen’ At UK’s Largest Zoo 

Elephant calf named in honour of Queen Elizabeth II, who met the calf’s mum on her last visit to ZSL Whipsnade Zoo 

A baby Asian elephant has been named the Thai word for ‘Queen’ at the UK’s largest Zoo, in honour of ZSL Whipsnade Zoo’s patron, Queen Elizabeth II, who once met the calf’s mum. 

The conservation Zoo gave the privilege of naming the not-so-tiny infant to ZSL conservationists who work in Thailand, protecting endangered, Asian elephants in the wild. The conservationists chose the name Nang Phaya (pronounced ‘nang-pie-yah'), which is an animal-related Thai word meaning ‘queen, or strong, female monarch.’ 

Elephant calf at Whipsnade Zoo Sept 2022 Will Amot cZSL (3)

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Baby Panther Chameleon Hatches At Whipsnade Zoo

The 3cm-long baby chameleon was photographed by zookeepers perching on pencils and scampering up a keeper’s finger, after it hatched from its egg on Sunday 7 November. 

The little lizard has been nick-named “Titch” by keepers, until they are able to identify whether it is male or female. The Zoo hopes the miniature colour-shifter will be joined by siblings, who have not yet hatched. 

02Panther-chameleon-baby-Nov-2021-c-ZSL-(3)

Team leader Alex Cliffe said: “This intricate, tiny creature is a wonderful addition to ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. They are doing very well, snacking on fruit flies and exploring their environment.” 

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