Yorkshire Wildlife Park Yorkshire Wildlife Park News 2020
- Thread starter britishzoofan
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Pantherinae
Active Member
Are there any breeding plans for Amur tigers Vladimir and Tschuna? Similarly, are there any updates with Drake and Freya in Leopard Heights?
Not as far as I know. I don’t think they would tell us anyway. As you probably know, all captive breeding is done in consultation with the stud book. I’d love to see more baby tigers and leopards so here’s hoping.
Pantherinae
Active Member
Agreed, Yorkshire Wildlife Park are notoriously secretive... just wondered if there were any rumours circulating. It would be great to see more tiger and leopard cubs, particularly from Drake and Freya to help protect a critically endangered species.
Amur Leopard breeding in Europe is currently being heavily restricted due to a lack of space with new and existing holders. Some offspring from recent years are still waiting to be moved on.
Freya and Drake both have many siblings elsewhere and having already bred once, are unlikely to be top of the list for a while
Freya and Drake both have many siblings elsewhere and having already bred once, are unlikely to be top of the list for a while
littleRedPanda
Well-Known Member
How well are the tigers represented? Last time I was there, a regular local told me they wouldn't be breading again, but was kind of vague as to why not.
Pantherinae
Active Member
Thank you for the information.
As it has been five and a half years since the first litter was born, I thought a second litter may have been approaching. But, if there is a lack of space across European facilities, I agree that this is unlikely.
Pantherinae
Active Member
Yes, it appears to be Sisu. He's arrived from Ranua Zoo, Finland.
Pantherinae
Active Member
Update from Yorkshire Wildlife Park on social media today confirming that Project Polar's new arrivals (Luka, Sisu and Hamish) and Nobby are all getting on well. Sisu has now been introduced to Hamish; Sisu's journey to YWP took over 40 hours by road and ferry.
The park said that the arrival of the new bears signals a major change for Project Polar; they are now recognised as one of the world's most important conservation centres for polar bears. Also, the park said there may be more bears arriving in the future - so watch this space.
The park said that the arrival of the new bears signals a major change for Project Polar; they are now recognised as one of the world's most important conservation centres for polar bears. Also, the park said there may be more bears arriving in the future - so watch this space.
littleRedPanda
Well-Known Member
I think Sisu is separate from the others, although they can say hello through the gates; he appeared to have sole access to the third paddock yesterday, but I didn't see him venture out.
Pantherinae
Active Member
For the past few days he has been alone, but this morning he was introduced to Hamish in one of the larger enclosures. He hasn't been introduced to the other bears yet - if he ever is introduced to Luka and Nobby.
Have they now completed all the Polar Bear development, and how many large outside enclosures with swimming water are there now?
Currently three enclosures all with water
Pantherinae
Active Member
As @Bubalus said, Project Polar has three enclosures: one with a large lake, another with two smaller lakes (the polar bears are rarely seen in here) and another enclosure adjacent to the polar bear house with a small lake. The fourth enclosure has not been completed.
There is also 'Project Polar 2' - or the Rescue and Rehabilitation Reserve - which is currently vacant. This enclosure also has a small lake, and housed Rasputin before he moved to Estonia.
Pantherinae
Active Member
All four bears were together today.
Great news - thanks for the update
It seems YWP will remain a bachelor male facility for the foreseeable future. As such they perform a rather undervalued role within the EEP breeding program.
Pantherinae
Active Member
Yes, there are surplus young male polar bears in European zoos at the moment compared to females, so the teenage boys need somewhere to live and YWP is one of those facilities.
The team do such a good job preparing the boys for adulthood, like Nissan and Pixel.
Had a great visit to YWP once again yesterday for the illuminations. Extremely busy which was great to see for the income of the park. Two new species have arrived at the park which the zoo will announce I'm sure in their own time. Neither are visible before anybody asks.
Work on the sea lion exhibit is pushing along as well as several other new developments within that area. 2021 will look to be a very exciting year for the park
Work on the sea lion exhibit is pushing along as well as several other new developments within that area. 2021 will look to be a very exciting year for the park