Elephantastic weekend at Whipsnade Zoo

Yesterday we got the opportunity to better understand nature’s gentle giants. The Elephantastic weekend at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, supported by Mr Kipling, took place on Saturday 19th September and is continuing today (Sunday 20th September).

This remarkable weekend-long celebration of these majestic creatures marks the world-wide Elephant Appreciation Weekend, raising money for international science and conservation charity ZSL’s Asian elephant conservation and research projects.

Asian elephants are classified as Endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. They are also classified as one of ZSL’s Evolutionary Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) species, a threatened species with a significant amount of unique evolutionary history. ZSL’s EDGE of Existence programme highlights and protects some of the weirdest and most incredible species on the planet. They represent a unique and irreplaceable part of the world’s natural heritage with an alarming proportion currently sliding silently towards extinction.

The Elephantastic weekend treats visitors to a number of elephant encounters, family activities and interesting talks which help make a difference to elephant conservation. From experiencing a close-up encounter with an elephant, feeding it a healthy snack and having a photo taken to a behind-the-scenes guided tour of the elephant barn, watching the keepers scrub the elephants clean and how the zoo’s vets keep the ten Asian elephants healthy through talks and demonstrations.

Emmett is the herd’s only adult male and he’s father to Donna, George, Scott and latest arrival Sam who was 21 stone at birth! Some of the other elephants include Karishma, best friend Mya and Azizah who has been at Whipsnade Zoo since 2001.

The elephants share a seven acre paddock with the outside area comprising of pools, mud wallows, dust baths, rubbing posts and high feeders. This is where we got to hear more about the elephants at Whipsnade Zoo and watch them take their morning bath.

It was wonderful to see the elephants personalities shine through, experience their playful side and witness how gentle these giants can be while listening to the accompanying talk. What struck me most about these magnificent creatures is the relationship they have with each other and with their keepers. You can see they have immense trust for one another and you can tell the keepers just love what they do.

Watching the elephants have their teeth checked was fascinating to watch. It’s not often you see an elephant with its mouth open, its keeper’s head looking so tiny in comparison. Although were weren’t right next to the animals at this point, it was pretty special to see them so close.

It was great to be able to personality of the elephants shine through to and rather incredible to see one help a keeper up from the ground with its trunk. I could have stayed watching these fascinating creatures all day had there not been so many other exciting things to do.

Outside the elephant paddock was a fantastic display of colourful hand-decorated elephants. Our favourites were Donna and George but they were all beautiful. There was also some fantastic food on offer close-by.

A decorated tent housed a silent auction and raffle with unusual prizes such as elephant-themed artwork and animal encounters. POD loved the conservation station where she got to see how much food an elephant eats and learn more about these great creatures. She also signed a giant birthday card for baby elephant Sam.

Just up from the conservation station face painting and jumbo crafts were on offer. POD opted to make her own elephant mask and while she coloured we got to listen to some of the sounds of Asia. An excellent four-piece that just added to an already brilliant atmosphere. We were so busy having a great time there, we missed our elephant photo opportunity but at four POD isn’t especially good at queuing! It didn’t matter though we had the most awesome time, we loved Elephantastic.

It is a truly mammoth day out that will help protect some of the world’s most incredible animals. For more information on Whipsnade Zoo and the work they do, please visit their website.

Disclaimer: We received tickets to Elephantastic at Whipsnade Zoo for the purpose of this review. Opinions are our own.