Yorkshire Wildlife Park Yorkshire Wildlife Park News 2012

Maguari said:
Note also the direct quote from the director regarding giraffes arriving 'this month', suggesting they're comfortably on target for October half term being on-show. Looking forward to that.
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I really really do hope they will finally take all the hybrid females' off Belfast and Dublin Zoos, so they can - from now on - breed pure-bred giraffe only and open up space at both these facilities to perhaps take on a few more Rothschildt's giraffe!!!!! :) :confused:
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
I really really do hope they will finally take all the hybrid females' off Belfast and Dublin Zoos, so they can - from now on - breed pure-bred giraffe only and open up space at both these facilities to perhaps take on a few more Rothschildt's giraffe!!!!! :) :confused:
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Everything subject to change of course but YWP have always talked of getting Rothschild's, and bearing in mind the strong Woburn links of the staff... who knows?
 
Maguari said:
Everything subject to change of course but YWP have always talked of getting Rothschild's, and bearing in mind the strong Woburn links of the staff... who knows?
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Yes, I know ... (you all told me off :D already), but it is nice just on the wishing well ....! So be it ..., it will be youngsters ex Woburn + a few additions from elsewhere.
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
Yes, I know ... (you all told me off :D already), but it is nice just on the wishing well ....! So be it ..., it will be youngsters ex Woburn + a few additions from elsewhere.
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Looks like we're both right!

All the info you could possibly want on YWP's giraffes:

Yorkshire Wildlife Park are excited to welcome the four new additions to the Park, which include one endangered breed.Giraffe one, Palle aged 2 will be picked up from Copenhagen, departing at 4am on Tuesday 25th and driven onto the ferry arriving at Hull for the journey to YWP Doncaster. Palle is set to arrive at the Park on Wednesday 26th at around 10 am.
Giraffe two, is a from Woburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire - an endangered Rothschild’s Giraffe - called Jambo and is also 2 years old and should be arriving on Thursday 27th at mid-day. YWP’s Animal Manager Debbie Porter was based previously at Woburn Safari Park and looked after Jambo previously so he will see a familiar face when he arrives in Doncaster!
The two youngsters will be joined by two from the West Midlands Safari Park. Both are fully grown so will be the most impressive, Jasper who is 12 years and Behansin who is 7 years. They are arriving separately at the award-winning Park - One will arrive Thursday evening and the other one will arrive on Friday about midday if all goes to plan!

The new Giraffes will be living in style and comfort - the innovative design of their £350,000 enclosure, which can house up to 16 giraffes is groundbreaking . Once the giraffes have settled in visitors will be allowed inside their house, where they will be able to view the giraffe just 1m away from the animals as well as eye to eye viewing from a neighbouring 8m high platform.
In addition there is also a ground level VIP feeding station and a high level feeding station in the 1 acre outside sand yard.
In good weather the giraffes will be able to roam in the 16 acres African reserve when the weather is good enough.
Director Cheryl Williams further commented: “We are absolutely delighted to be welcoming the four Giraffes which include one endangered Rothschild’s Giraffe to YWP whilst delivering our visitors what they wanted most.”
“Whilst the enclosure will hold a bachelor group of males initially, we hope in time that we will be able to set up a breeding group in the future.”
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Source: Wall Photos | Facebook
 
One down, three to go. Palle (A Reticulated) has arrived from Copenhagen on schedule and is said to be settling in well
 
YWP , along with Colchester, get my vote for the most informative news bulletins. Everything you might want to know about the new Giraffes is included here. 'Hats off' to YWP and I hope they keep up this quality of information.:)
 
I like the idea of them being allowed to wander freely in African Plains. Will look forward to that. I've no doubt there will still be complaints by people who can't see them well enough because of the size of the area.

As regards PR, they're doing a great job on Facebook, showing off the inside of the Giraffe House and several pictures of Palle.
 
Great news about the giraffes, they will be an excellent addition.

Is there any word yet on a more perminant home for the young raccoon dogs?
 
Two down, two to go. Jambo arrived safe and well from Woburn this afternoon, Jasper from West Mids is currently en-route and should arrive later tonight
 
Everything here looks very well built and fences and hardstandings in tiptop condition. I can think of a couple of other places that could take a leaf out of YWP's book.;)

I still don't like the design/location of the very 'open' Leopard enclosure though- I don't feel it is very suited at all to this species- an enclosure in a woodland, or partially wooded, setting, would IMO have been far more suitable.
 
Pertinax said:
Everything here looks very well built and fences and hardstandings in tiptop condition. I can think of a couple of other places that could take a leaf out of YWP's book.;)

I still don't like the design/location of the very 'open' Leopard enclosure though- I don't feel it is very suited at all to this species- an enclosure in a woodland, or partially wooded, setting, would IMO have been far more suitable.
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Judging by the film it looks a first class exhibit, for both animals and the visitors, there is room for sixteen giraffes!. It really does say something when a zoo that has only been open for a relatively short period of time has been able to invest £350,000 in a brand new giraffe exhibit, while this very day at another zoo which has nearly been open for fifty years, is due to discontinue with giraffes and send their two females to Blair Drummond,a zoo, which has held giraffe in its collection virtually from the beginning when its founders bought the first from Jimmy Chipperfield for £600, it had no hair on its tail at the time of purchase, this eventually grew:):)
 
max said:
Is there any word yet on a more perminant home for the young raccoon dogs?
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I spoke to one of the 'keepers who told me that they planned to build an enclosure close to where they are at present ( near the macaws - but exactly where she didn't know ). Also they are being trained up as Animals in Action for next summer. Training is slow - they've just about learnt not to bite people ;)

I've added a few pictures of the very new additions to the park, which I took yesterday. I never realised they were so graceful. Can't wait to see them on African Plains next year.
 
TARZAN said:
Judging by the film it looks a first class exhibit, for both animals and the visitors, there is room for sixteen giraffes!. It really does say something when a zoo that has only been open for a relatively short period of time has been able to invest £350,000 in a brand new giraffe exhibit, while this very day at another zoo which has nearly been open for fifty years, is due to discontinue with giraffes and send their two females to Blair Drummond,a zoo, which has held giraffe in its collection virtually from the beginning when its founders bought the first from Jimmy Chipperfield for £600, it had no hair on its tail at the time of purchase, this eventually grew:):)
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The obvious answer to that is that YWP is in its embryonic stages. It's only about three years old compared to 50.

However, if it continues with its expansion masterplan and joins breeding programmes for the giraffes, leopards and tigers, to name species already in situ, ( and already discussed ), I can't see interest diminishing anytime soon.
 
Apart from anything else, YWP has filled a vacant 'niche' by being the only major Zoo/Wildlife Park in a region with very few animal collections, so they are almost bound to prosper, as well as becoming the best quality collection in the region.
 
Pertinax said:
Apart from anything else, YWP has filled a vacant 'niche' by being the only major Zoo/Wildlife Park in a region with very few animal collections, so they are almost bound to prosper, as well as becoming the best quality collection in the region.
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That is quite true. Previously, a trip to the zoo for me would have been a 180 mile round trip whereas now it is 30 or 40 at worst. When the new airport link road is built, I'll be even closer :).

I can leave home at 3.30, spend two hours in the park and be home for 6.30! I was champing at the bit to go there when the lions first arrived ; I've not been away for more than a couple of months since.

It seems to be a popular destination for primary schools all over Yorkshire. On Wednesday, there were schools from West, East, South and even North Yorkshire in attendance.

I also think that there is a sizeable number of people doing multiple visits like myself. It would be interesting to know how many annual passes they have sold this year. The giraffes are only going to add to that number.

Good times for me and YWP :D
 
Gary D said:
It seems to be a popular destination for primary schools all over Yorkshire. On Wednesday, there were schools from West, East, South and even North Yorkshire in attendance.
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A lot of those children will go home and pester their parents to take them back again, so that will be a whole lot more families paying their entrance fees too.

Eveyone is (hopefully) a winner here.
 
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