The zoo ignites life-long passion

9:17am Friday 29th February 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

INSPIRED by the recent glorious weather, we decided to visit the zoo last Saturday. To be fair, it wasn't just the sunshine that lured us out of our burrow.

Ever since I'd seen photographs in the newspaper of Whipsnade Zoo's latest arrival, Lee Lee, a month-old baby Asian elephant, I'd been dropping heavy hints about it being time for a return visit.

Considering that we are a couple of middle-aged mammals, unencumbered by young, I have to admit that zoo visiting is not something we tend to do on a regular basis. In fact, I think the last time must have been about 15 years ago.

On that occasion it was Whipsnade too, and the thing I remember most clearly is the fact that most of the animals roamed wild and free in such enormous open spaces that it was almost impossible to distinguish between a bison and a baby rhino without the assistance of extremely powerful binoculars.

Obviously this was great for the animals, but not so successful for their visitors.

Arriving at the zoo on Saturday, we were initially rather put out by what seemed to be high charges - £3.50 just to park the car, followed by £14.50 per adult for entry to the zoo itself seemed a bit on the pricey side, but I have to say that once through the gates our reservations disappeared completely.

I think we would happily have paid double that amount considering the amount of pleasure we derived from the day.

Whipsnade is clearly going through a major transformation designed to bring the public closer to the animals, without compromising the latter's space and sense of freedom.

One section is currently being imaginatively developed to home the zoo's African animals, including a whole pride of lions. From the safety of a glass look-out' post, visitors are almost catapulted right into the centre of the group.

I'm not often lost for words, but I have to say that at one point, when a huge, powerful and magnificently maned male came to a halt mid prowl less than a foot away from me(on the other side of the pane) the only thing I was able to do to point him out to my husband - whose attention was focused on photographing a group of lionesses up on a nearby mound - was tug his sleeve and squeak.

Interestingly, the lions have been positioned, safely I might add, next to a herd of impala. This is clearly a deliberate move as part of the Africa project, but it was fascinating to watch the sleek, well-fed lionesses gather on a promontory in their compound from where they viewed the movements of herd next door with what can only be described as professional interest.

In the late afternoon sunshine, as shadows lengthened over the grass, we could almost have been out on safari somewhere in the Serengeti, not actually a stone's throw from Luton airport.

Admittedly the weather might just have had something to do with the success of our visit.

After what seem like months of grey clammy days, the combination of bright sunshine and a wind-chill factor of minus three might have galvanised the animals into activity. Certainly they were all clearly visible, actively alert and apparently quite interested in their visitors.

Perhaps the combination of half term and fine weather had prompted the first flurry of high visitor numbers so far this year, stimulating the attention of the Whipsnade inmates?

Whatever the reason, this was certainly a visit that dispelled my old complaint about the animals being so far away that they were practically invisible. I've never been so close to creatures, ranging from wolves and brown bears to hippos, rhinos and a truly spectacular tiger. And, of course, newborn elephant Lee Lee and her older half-brother, Euan, were completely adorable - as you'd expect.

In the past I've sometimes felt slightly ambivalent about zoos and the concept of keeping an animal in captivity however, it's absolutely clear that the inhabitants of Whipsnade are happy and healthy.

The zoo is obviously investing in their future and in the future of their relatives out in the wild through research, protection and breeding programmes.

The only time I felt slightly unsettled was when I watched a pair of very elderly chimpanzees delicately grooming each other. At one point the smaller female turned to look directly at me and I definitely felt as if I was intruding on something private and personal.

These creatures are so recognisably human in their gestures and expressions that I wonder if it can be right to exhibit them?

Baby elephants aside, I think the highlight of our visit was Lemur Island where it was difficult to distinguish quite who was watching who. It felt like a rare privilege to lean over a small retaining wall to look down on a basking group of these enchanting ring-tailed creatures not more than one foot away, only to realise that one of them was actually sitting right next to you on the wall doing exactly the same thing.

This area is patrolled by a watchful zoo warden who politely but firmly discourages visitors from touching or stroking the animals, while giving helpful information about their diet and habitat. From the look of unmitigated delight on the faces of the children around me, it was quite clear that just being so close to such a beautiful and inquisitive animal was enough to ignite a life-long passion.

As we left, I lost count of the number of ring-tailed lemur toys fresh from the zoo's giftshop we saw bouncing along beside their totally smitten new owners.

I know that half-term dates this February have varied from school to school. If your children or grandchildren are among those due to be off next week, and if you are seeking some inspirational suggestions to keep them occupied, then I heartily recommend a day out at Whipsnade Zoo.

As we left at closing time last Saturday, I remarked to my husband that I hadn't seen so many small children having such a good time for ages.

He replied that he hadn't seen a small 44-year-old quite so excited for a long time either.