Whipsnade Wolves

[Gremlin]

@Tintin124 Hi Bryn finally made it up there today, damn cold though but have you any idea what has happened to the wolves ?
It says a new attraction is coming soon and the enclosure is empty

 

[Daysleeper40]

I believe all the remaining wolves were euthanised late last year / early this year due to age related ilnesses / health issues.

 

[Tintin124]

Ohhh I saw it was empty last time I went but thought they'd transferred them somewhere else well what I was told. But maybe the above is true.

They are doing enclosure upgrades so we shall see.

 

[Gremlin]

Thanks Fi, did a search and came up with this posted on 19/2/16

ZSL Whipsnade Zoo @ZSLWhipsnadeZoo · 19 Feb
@JCTheKeenCook Sadly our three grey wolves had to be euthanized towards the end of last year due to poor health in their old age

I thought they had more the 3 wolves, all brothers if I remember rightly, when I was last there back in the autumn with a friend we did notice that
one was limping badly, hope they get more

 

[Daysleeper40]

Thanks Fi, did a search and came up with this posted on 19/2/16



I thought they had more the 3 wolves, all brothers if I remember rightly, when I was last there back in the autumn with a friend we did notice that
one was limping badly, hope they get more

I thought they had 4 but one in particular was ancient - so maybe he went first. I'm not sure what they are going to do. Noise in the zoo forum community suggests maybe hunting dogs - but that obviously doesn't go with the theme of that area at all... but then the enclosure is on the edge of the 'Africa' area too. London's hunting dogs have had a big litter so it does seem a possibility.

I don't think it will be more wolves - when we were there recently all the wolf signs had been removed. You'd think they'd just put up a temporary enclosure empty sign and leave the permenent signage in place if they were going to replace like for like.

 

[Gremlin]

Be a shame if they don't, love the wolves and they were stars when I stayed in the Lookout lodges a couple of years back, just a shame I couldn't use my DSLR at the time.
I really must dig out some old pictures, I'm sure there were more then 4 when I first saw them

 

[rob-nikon]

I have always liked the wolves, it was a shame when they cleared the enclosure of the bushes at the rear as it was a nice backdrop and covered up the ugly rear chain fences.

This is one of the group photos I have, I always thought there was more than 4. This was from 2010.

Grey Wolves by -Rob'81-

It will be sad if they don't have wolves anymore. There is a wolf society near me that doesn't open to the public often but they lost wolves last year, I think they only have 2 left now. Hunting dogs would be interesting to see.

I've always wanted to see whipsnade provide huge open enclosures like Spain Carbarceno Zoo. Their bear enclosure is amazing, it huge and quite natural too.

 

[nickEnackEnoo]

I've always wanted to see whipsnade provide huge open enclosures like Spain Carbarceno Zoo. Their bear enclosure is amazing, it huge and quite natural too.

Ooh, sounds interesting. Not far from Bilbao where I might go for a festival in the summer.

 

[rob-nikon]

Ooh, sounds interesting. Not far from Bilbao where I might go for a festival in the summer.

It's in the north near Santander. The place is huge. Have a look at Marina Cano's photos for ideas what you can get, she runs workshops there.

 

[Cobra]

I thought they had more the 3 wolves,

I'm sure there were half a dozen not so long ago, but what with them hiding most of the time, it was difficult to actually tell.
Maybe a couple died ( in the past) and they kept it quiet?


Edit, Just been running back through my group shots

6 - July 2012


5 - Jan 2013


4 - May 2014



and that's the most I ever got from then

 

[Gremlin]

I'm sure there were half a dozen not so long ago, but what with them hiding most of the time, it was difficult to actually tell.
Maybe a couple died ( in the past) and they kept it quiet?

Thanks Chris, I do remember seeing more the 4, not had time to look through my pictures yet.
Seem to remember being told they were all brothers, so I suppose same age would mean they all go at the same time

 

[Gremlin]

Found a couple of mine and yep there were 6 at least

 

[Cobra]

And there we have it, from the horses mouth

ZSL Whipsnade Zoo‏@ZSLWhipsnadeZoo
Sadly our three grey wolves had to be euthanized towards the end of last year due to poor health in their old age.

1:22 AM - 19 Feb 2016

 

[Gremlin]

And there we have it, from the horses mouth

ZSL Whipsnade Zoo‏@ZSLWhipsnadeZoo
Sadly our three grey wolves had to be euthanized towards the end of last year due to poor health in their old age.

1:22 AM - 19 Feb 2016

As per my post 4 which started the debate about how many

 

[viv1969]

That is so sad

 

[Cobra]

As per my post 4 which started the debate about how many

To busy modding to notice all the posts, but its OK I forgive you