Yorkshire Wildlife Park Yorkshire Wildlife Park New arrivals

Quick visit to the park this morning . . . . there's been a lot of progress on the first tiger enclosure this week and there was a lot of activity around there today continuing the works. The photo below shows it taking shape. The raised walkway is now starting to come along as well.

Normally works seem to stop at the weekend but given the arrival of the first tiger already things are moving at a good pace now. Unfortunately the South American walkthrough hasn't progressed at all for about 3 weeks now, but given how wet it is around there it's not too surprising.

Once again it was very busy despite the rain. The latest BBC programme on Monday will surely add to that.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_7313.jpg
    IMG_7313.jpg
    180.2 KB · Views: 52
I must say that Yorkshire wildlife park must have a fantastic brain behind it to play the media this well. I mean they have played the game extremely well and this is shown by repeated reports of visitor numbers.

I still hope they dont become a run of the mill ABC zoo though
 
foz said:
I still hope they dont become a run of the mill ABC zoo though
Click to expand...

I dunno, a real "old school" ABC zoo would be quite unique nowadays, how many places have got (say) Bears, Elephants, Kangaroos and Sealions in the UK?

However, if we're just talking the run of the mill obvious species held in numerous other places it would be dull for us aficionados. That's not to say I'd not enjoy visiting a such a collection that if their endeavours continue to be carried out so well, just I might not visit as often as I otherwise would.

However 2, we're not the people who make places viable, Joe Public are and, given the area is starved of zoos, I'm sure they wouldn't mind and whatever happens I wish YWP all the best -it's great to see a place growing so quickly and developing so well from the start.
 
Shorts said:
I dunno, a real "old school" ABC zoo would be quite unique nowadays, how many places have got (say) Bears, Elephants, Kangaroos and Sealions in the UK?

However, if we're just talking the run of the mill obvious species held in numerous other places it would be dull for us aficionados. That's not to say I'd not enjoy visiting a such a collection that if their endeavours continue to be carried out so well, just I might not visit as often as I otherwise would.

However 2, we're not the people who make places viable, Joe Public are and, given the area is starved of zoos, I'm sure they wouldn't mind and whatever happens I wish YWP all the best -it's great to see a place growing so quickly and developing so well from the start.
Click to expand...
I visited on Tuesday and yes it comprises of A.B.C. stuff, what I found encouraging about it was the fact that the people of South Yorkshire now have a nearby zoological establishment where they can visit and appreciate wild animals, it would be great if someone could start a similar venture here in the North East, secondly the lions, of coarse it was good P.R. to bring these animals here, they have certainly put themselves on the zoo map as Pertinax quite correctly stated, they have also done those lions a tremendous favour by giving them this fantastic new home, they have also done the local people a favour, if the lions have brought people in and paying to see them this has enabled
the park to invest in new exhibits as was evident on Tuesday observing new building work taking place. How it restored my faith in human nature to see the lions large enclosure financed by the readers of a national newspaper, Jet 2. com for transporting the lions to their new home and indeed to Twycross staff who assisted with the move, this to me proves that the British public are in favour of good zoos, I thought the sight of the old boy sitting up on the rocks with his ladies was fantastic so noble and proud as a lion should be with his head held high, and as for the bright spark who suggested on here that it would have been preferable to euthanize the lions rather than transport them to their new home, the lion can hold his head up high, you sir should hang yours in shame, and "digest" that the best way you can.
 
Notes on a vist today:
There were lots of JCBS and other machinery working busily on the tiger enclousre-some advertisment for 'Land of the tigers.'
The South American Walkthrough wasn't being worked on today but it's definitely come on since December-a lake and bridge have been built and fencing outline.
A small baby guanaco was present-anyone know when it was born?
Lions very active particuarly Johnny Juniors pride who were running around and playing (bar him.)

I spotted in the barn on the African Plains nearest to the path what looked like a dead baby sitatunga. It didn't appear to be breathing and was in a very odd position-I presumed staff knew about it. Anyone know anything about this?
 
Also saw something laying in the barn that didn't look too good, but couldn't quite make out what. One of the flamingo was also nowhere to be seen which is a bit worrying.

Better news was spotting one of the wallabies with a little joey. The south american walkthrough has progressed slightly and it finally looks like the ground is drying out so they can finish it off. I should think the capybara are fed up of waiting in the stables by now. The tiger enclosure has come on a lot in the last couple of weeks. Hopefully it'll be open before easter so i can get a look before heading off on holiday!

If i remember correctly the baby guanaco was born early - mid Feb, pretty much the same week as the Ankole calf.

Other than that it looks like they're extending the car park, using what was the overflow last year, obviously expecting a lot of visitors!
 
tw2310 said:
Other than that it looks like they're extending the car park, using what was the overflow last year, obviously expecting a lot of visitors!
Click to expand...

Well last time I went the main carpark was full and they were on to the overflow in February so I guess they need more!
 
Busy again today.
First lechwe count of the year - I could see 21!
I'm a bit confused about the sitatunga, someone told me the male (old) died but I saw the brown one which I had assumed was the male? Is this incorrect, I don't know anything about them. I saw (I think) a brown adult, an orange adult and a young one.
A flamingo has died, only 5 left.
A camel was born today and another is expected. Lottie the mother was hand-reared but showing signs of doing the right things.
 
First time i saw them, between xmas & new year, there were 2 males. There was the younger one which can still be seen at the park now and an older male, a photo of which i posted earlier in this thread. That was the only time i saw him. Every visit for the following 4 weeks or so the sitatunga were shut inside one of the stables.

Great news about the camels, that would explain the activity around their shelter when i was there this morning. The baby guanaco is coming on great too, but didn't have time to go and check if the little joey was ok in wallaby walkabout.

The tiger reserve is still coming along well but again the south american walkthrough hadn't developed much. Presume they'll be opening both together for the easter holidays now.
 
Ah that makes sense then thanks, A male not THE male :)

Some people were saying about the lions "It's not right, they should be chasing things, they should put live animals in for them to chase." At the time Johnny Junior's pride were all (except 1) swarming round & round by the tunnel to go in, started by Frida who seemed to have her clock wrong. They eventually gave up and settled down again.
 
hahaha, i know what you mean, i've heard some very odd comments from people about what they'd like / expect to see the lions doing. They seem to miss the point that they're naturally a pretty lazy creature.

They can definitely move when they want to though. The ducks that stupidly wander in to their enclosure all the time know that, i even have a photo of one of the young males chasing a kestrel that landed in there.
 
Other new arrivals:
Humbug the ringtailed lemur has had 2 babies, they are keeping her in the pen for a little while as last year one was lost early on.

The female black & white ruffed lemur is lounging around sporting a large bump in the middle so fingers crossed for another imminent birth.

Sadly the baby camel died but her (hand-reared) mother did show signs of looking after her so hopefully next time it will all go well. One camel is still pregnant.

The sitatunga are separated but will have an enclosure of their own in the wetlands very soon.

Vladimir the Amur tiger is out in his enclosure (and has no intention of going back inside) and should be on show by the end of the week.

No apparent progress on the SA walk-through.

Someone looking at the old two raccoon dogs was wondering if they might jump out of the enclosure! I'd like to see that.
 
Last edited:
Yet another new arrival in the form of Monty a seven year old bactrian camel who has arrived at the park after a former career in show business at Bobby Robert's Super Circus.
 
A mate for Vladimir (Amur tiger) was expected to arrive some time today. Presumably this is Elsa from Bulgaria.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top