21 March 2025
Our Zoonormous Egg Hunt is back at Whipsnade Zoo this Easter! To celebrate, we’re sharing some mega facts ahead of your big day out.
1. Whipsnade Zoo is the UK’s largest Zoo
There are 600 acres to explore at Whipsnade Zoo, making it the perfect day out in the great outdoors this spring. Look out for our free-roaming animals like our wallabys and maras relaxing in the daffodils – you may even be able to spot joeys and pups.
Plus, we have a large outdoor play park with over 7,800 square metres of themed play areas, so the kids can run wild.
2. We’re doing big things for big cat conservation with the birth of cubs
We’re overjoyed to have welcomed a second litter of rare northern African lion cubs. Whipsnade Zoo is now home to seven lion cubs, which are valuable additions to the breeding programme for the Vulnerable sub-species.
While our youngest cubs are still snuggled up with mum Waka in their indoor den, look out for their half-siblings playing outside in their paddock this Easter.
3. The White Lion is 150 metres long
Whipsnade Zoo’s most famous lion – our chalk lion on the hillside – covers an area of around 6,500 square metres. It's tail alone is 4 metres wide! The lion is so big it was covered during World War II as it would have been a very useful navigation aid for enemy planes. It’s an emblem for the surrounding areas, which is much-loved by locals, and a dedicated volunteer team are working tirelessly to maintain the local landmark.
4. We’re home to the tallest land mammals, giraffes
Did you know, a giraffe's heart beats up to 170 times a minute - twice as fast as a human's! Learn more giraffe facts and come face-to-face with these giants from our viewing platform. And watch our two calves, born in 2024, galloping around their paddock in the sunshine.
5. Baby rhinos can weigh an impressive 45kg when born
At Whipsnade Zoo we welcomed two not-so-little bundles of joy in 2024 – Southern white rhinos Benja and Khulu – who are great ambassadors for our conservation work as part of ZSL, protecting rhinos in the wild. They’ve still got lots of growing to do – white rhinos are the largest rhino species weighing up to 2.3 tonnes, which is heavier than a car!
Visit our herd in their 21-acre paddock this spring, you’ll often see them snoozing under their shady trees on a hot day.
6. Our Butterfly House is one of the biggest butterfly biomes of any UK Zoo
Surround yourself in a tropical paradise and watch beautiful butterflies as they fly freely around their home. Not only is it the perfect place to warm up if it’s a bit chilly, our Butterfly House and neighbouring Aquarium provide fascinating experiences for you to get closer to our species - including our crocodiles!
7. Asian elephants are more closely related to gigantic woolly mammoths than African elephants
At Whipsnade Zoo, we’re home to a herd of Asian elephants, a species that is sadly Endangered in the wild. Our elephants are playing a crucial role in conservation. Not only are they part of the global breeding programme, they play an active role in developing new conservation technology, contribute to vital veterinary advancements and help conservationists through behavioural and scientific studies – all of which are applied to efforts to preserve elephants in the wild.
Every visit to Whipsnade Zoo helps to support our vital work for wildlife around the world.
Under 3s go free!
Whether your child is a toddler or school-aged, Whipsnade Zoo is the perfect place in Bedfordshire for kids to explore and let off steam. Our seasonal events, indoor soft play, outdoor adventure play, and children's farm are all included in your Zoo ticket or membership. And don't forget, under 3s visit the Zoo free of charge.
