Spring newcomers set for Whipsnade debut

© John O’Reilly

First is a zoo heavyweight in more ways than one. Our new white rhino calf weighs 100kg but has already found his feet out in the paddock with fellow male calf Jabari. African White rhinos are a major breeding species at the zoo and the new calf, born to Clara, is the 55th since 1970.

The penguins are another zoo favourite and this Spring we welcome a new species to the pool. Gentoo penguins have been settling in to their home on the edge of the Downs, getting chummy with the rockhoppers and humboldts. You can spot them by their distinctive white stripe across their heads, orange beaks and very fast swimming skills!

For the first time the zoo welcomes sloth bears. These long-clawed animals are great fun to watch and the public can catch them ambling around their grassy paddock, strewn with climbing logs and branches. Their home is a purpose-built house and paddock near the newly-opened Rhinos of Nepal house.

While at Cheetah Rock, our new landscaped look-out for these beautiful fast cats, the new breeding group of six north African cheetahs has arrived and are getting ready to set foot in the paddock in the coming weeks.

Visitors can see all of these new arrivals and many other wallaby joeys, mara babies and more at the zoo, which is open daily from 10am.

Sloth Bear Colombo

White rhino calf and mother