Drive through at Whipsnade Zoo
Journey through the Passage through Asia drive through and spot some of Asia's biggest mammals, including the extinct in the wild Père David's deer (Elaphurus davidianus) and only true wild horse, the Przewalski's horse (Equus przewalksii). Without wildlife conservation, each of these species would have been lost forever, but today you can see their herds grazing naturally at the Zoo.
Passage through Asia is now also home to four critically endangered banteng cows (Bos Javanicus). You'll be able spot the ensemble at the entrance to the drive-through habitat with their striking orange colour and distinctive white stockings and rump.
The natural lake is a favourite spot for our deer to wade, and you will find our Indochinese sika deer, white lipped deer and Chinese water deer enjoying a dip or grazing in the grasslands surrounding the lake.
Our 500kg domestic Bactrian camels are impossible to miss, growing a thick shaggy coat for the winter to thrive in our cold weather just as they do in the wild. These fields are also a favourite habitat for native bird species, as flocks of lapwing regularly feed alongside our deer.
Visitors can either drive-through this habitat if entering the Zoo by car or take the Great Whipsnade Railway!
- Elaphurus davidianus
Père David's deer
Extinct in the wild, our Père David deer are a part of breeding programme which is working towards restoring their wild population.
- Equus ferus przewalskii
Przewalski's horse
The Przewalski's horse is the world's only truly wild horse. Once extinct in the wild, together with our partners we helped restore Przewalski’s horses back to the wild in Mongolia.
