Assistance dogs are not currently permitted inside Whipsnade Zoo because we have free-roaming animals such as mara, wallabies, Chinese water deer and muntjac around our Zoo. They use all of the Zoo and therefore we are not able to offer routes for assistance dogs at present.

Whipsnade Zoo, located in Bedfordshire, is famous for its large, open enclosures, but it is also well-known for several species that roam freely across the 600-acre site. The most common animals you will see walking among the visitors are Wallabies, particularly Bennett's wallabies, which have a well-established free-ranging population. In addition to these marsupials, guests will frequently encounter Muntjac deer, a small, shy species of deer that has made the park its home. You will also see various species of waterfowl and peacocks strolling along the paths and through the picnic areas. For many years, the zoo also had a free-roaming population of Chinese Water Deer, though their presence can be more elusive than the bolder wallabies. These free-ranging animals contribute to the zoo's unique "safari-on-foot" atmosphere, allowing for close, natural encounters that are rare in traditional zoo settings. While the larger, more dangerous animals like lions, rhinos, and elephants are safely contained behind extensive barriers, the smaller, more docile residents are allowed to wander, making a walk through Whipsnade an unpredictable and delightful experience for animal lovers of all ages.