Yorkshire Wildlife Park Yorkshire Wildlife Park News 2014

Nisha

Nisha

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
African Lion, Cezar has passed away aged 15: Statement from the parks Facebook today

Cezar 1998 - January 9th 2014 Yorkshire Wildlife Park announces with deep
sadness today that Cezar, one of the famous lions rescued from Romania,
has died. Cezar had been in declining health for several months with increasing joint and mobility problems related to age and potentially to his hard life in Romania before he was rescued by YWP. The decision was taken today by a team of vets in conjunction with the Directors, animal staff and the Park’s Ethics Committee at the Park to put Cezar to sleep on welfare grounds. It was the plight of Cezar in particular and his family who were living in appalling conditions in run down Oradea Zoo that was highlighted in 2009 – 2010. His story moved thousands of people to donate over £150,000 to bring Cezar and 12 other lions back to the purpose built Lion Country at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. The 13 lions arrived at the Park in 2010 and were slowly rehabilitated into their new home under much veterinary care and careful husbandry by Park staff. The lions regained their health and strength and enjoyed life in Lion Country – and hundreds of thousands of people have been to see them. Cezar enjoyed life with his mate Allis and his sons Ares and Adel, until recently when his health started to affect his quality of life. There are now 11 Lions in Lion Country: Johnny Junior and his pride Carla, Julie, Crystal and Frieda, Allis and her two sons Ares and Adel and Maria and her two sons Dani and Simba. The Park lost its oldest resident Johnny Senior last year who died aged 30. The Directors of Yorkshire Wildlife Park would like to thank the veterinary teams from Portland House Veterinary Group from Retford and the International Zoo Veterinary Group who have worked and supported staff to help improve the health of Cezar and the other lions since their arrival and particularly over the past few difficult days. The Park would also like to thank the dedicated staff team who have loved and cared for Cezar since his arrival...
 
Rest in Peace, Cezar. :( At least he lived the remainder of his life in more pleasant conditions than what he was used to in Romania.
 
It is correct, they've always been in these groups.
Cezar had not been with Adel and Ares for at least a year, Alis (it never used to be spelt with 2 Ls) has been either with him or the boys. The last time I saw them all out together they were given a rabbit each and the boys mugged him and took it even though he was crouched over it.
 
very sad news , went to YWP last Saturday and the lions were in full voice . lots going on at minute there too . would love someone from YWP to come out and be more public on future plans etc . great place to go and always improving
 
YWP looks like a pretty interesting place, but I'm having a hard time understanding the scale.

The map on their website doesn't give a very good idea of size and the aerial photography on Google Maps is years out of date. It probably pre-dates YWP.

I'm looking for a place to go this Easter and it's probably a choice between YWP and Blackpool Zoo. Is YWP worth a two hour journey?
 
lamna said:
I'm looking for a place to go this Easter and it's probably a choice between YWP and Blackpool Zoo. Is YWP worth a two hour journey?
Click to expand...

Definitely! You won't see great architecture – it's all pretty functional – and the list of species will not overexcite anyone who is a regular visitor to European zoos (that is, until the polar bears arrive). But it's a really impressive place, considering its scale, and the ambition that has been shown by those who have developed it.
 
Exciting times for YWP. Does anyone know if the species plan is still available or master plan?

Apart from the polar bears which is more than enough I wonder if any more exhibits are planned this year. I hope more smaller species of birds and mammals are added to compliment the larger species.
 
Amur Leopard update:

It is a love story that could save a species.

Single Amur Leopard Drake is being promised a special Valentine’s present with news of the arrival of potential mate Freya at award winning Yorkshire Wildlife Park.

It is reported that less than 45 of these magnificent big cats exist in their native habitat in the Far East of Russia and the romantic pairing of Drake and Freya is a landmark moment in the battle to save them.

Three-year-old Drake is now old enough to play his part in the international breeding programme that is working towards the reintroduction of these cats to the wild. Yorkshire Wildlife Park, in Branton near Doncaster has now heard that a suitable female friend has been found to be introduced to him.

Director Cheryl Williams said: “Drake’s wait is over as we have heard that Freya will shortly be flying in from Tallin in Estonia as part of the international breeding programme with the ultimate aim to reintroduce Amur Leopard to Russia. It will be a late Valentine’s present for him.”

Amur Leopards, the most endangered big cat on the planet, have been driven to the point of extinction by poaching and disappearing habitat which reduces their ability to find food.

Yorkshire Wildlife Park has a trio of males – the three brothers Denzil, Demitri and Drake. Denzil and Dimitri will be off to other collections shortly to play their part in the breeding programme too.

“We really hope Drake and Freya hit it off - and that in the future we see a turnaround in Amur numbers,” added Williams. “Drake and Freya cannot be released into the wild themselves but their legacy could be the next generations of these incredibly beautiful animals.

“This is a really positive step and it would be so sad if future generations of children never got the chance to see these animals. We have a real opportunity to make a difference and it would be great if here in Doncaster we can make a significant contribution to the leopard’s fight back”
 
Does anyone know how the Polar Bear area is coming along.
I haven't been for few weeks myself,and I also cant find any recent news on progress on the building project or wether Yupi is still coming or not.
 
Went yesterday for the first time in a while. Lots of building work going on. The new mini shopping precinct is taking shape, another single storey building has been built directly behind it which looks like it may be retail. Some new entrance windows are being built, 8 in all, which should greatly improve movement of people at peak times. A new enclosure has been built within the confines of the former petting area, which seems to be for small mammals of some sort. There is an additional area for some other animals, which seems to be some sort of exercise area for small animals inc tyres, tree stumps and ropes.Will upload some photos later. Can't really tell how far the Polar Bear enclosure is coming on because I didn't have to go up to the Viewing Gallery of Leopard Heights because Drake ( I presume ) was obligingly mooching up and down at the front. All I can say is that they were working on it on Saturday.
 
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The plans for the African village area - former petting area- seem to have changed from the original ones submitted. The enclosures mentioned by Gary are, according to the plans, the new homes for meerkat, mongoose and tortoise. Not sure if they plan to have the goats anymore as the plan shows a play area and another catering unit in that area.
 
Johnny Junior the African Lion has had to be put to sleep due to injuries he suffered from a fight which occurred today according to the zoo's facebook :(
 
What was wrote on facebook -
"Yorkshire Wildlife Park announces with deep sadness today that Johnny Junior, one of the famous lions rescued from Romania, has died.
Without any prior warning, the pride which included four females had a fight in which Johnny was injured. Staff managed to separate the lions within minutes of the fight starting and called them into the house, where the vet attended Johnny.
Unfortunately, his injuries were such that there was no option but for him to be put to sleep. This was extremely distressing for the staff who have cared for 16 year old Johnny since he arrived in the UK in 2010 and especially as the whole episode was completely unprecedented and out of character for the pride.

Johnny was one of the 13 lions whose plight was highlighted in a campaign to rescue them from appalling conditions in run down Oradea Zoo.

The story of the lions moved thousands of people to donate over £150,000 to bring Johnny and 12 other lions back to the purpose built Lion Country at Yorkshire Wildlife Park.

The 13 lions arrived at the Park in 2010 and were slowly rehabilitated into their new home under much veterinary care and careful husbandry by Park staff.

The lions regained their health and strength and enjoyed life in Lion Country – and hundreds of thousands of people have been to see them.

The Directors of Yorkshire Wildlife Park would like to thank the veterinary teams from Portland House Veterinary Group from Retford who responded so quickly to this unexpected event and who have worked and supported staff to help improve the health of Johnny and the other lions since their arrival.

The Park would also like to thank the dedicated staff team who have loved and cared for Johnny since his arrival and who today are shocked at the sudden loss of one who was a favourite at the Park for staff and visitors alike."
 
Bear enclosure

Construction of bear enclosure so far. Not much to see so far.

Located behind Lemur woods and behind the South American Viva part of the park
 

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Lots of work going on on several fronts today.
Usual machines excavating around bear enclosures. The banking for the bear enclosure running parallel to the wooded area has been planted with small fir trees.
The new entrance building, retail units and pay kiosks are coming along at an amazing rate. I wouldn't be surprised if when complete this court yard area opens for business before the wildlife park itself.
The new meerkat enclosures are looking good. Mock termite mounds and rocks (apparently some are heated) are in place and the buildings in that area - including the flamingo house - have been given the African village make over.
There will no longer be a contact area and the goats and sheep won't be returning. A new structure has been erected within the old contact paddock, opposite the monkey play barn and I was told its a new function room which can be hired out or used for displays and exhibitions.

Baby sitatunga was out with its mother in a cordoned off area of their enclosure today. Not sure when the birth was.
 
went last week talking to keepers was just amazed at their future plans. Such a massive list on what there trying to get. They have land to make the place 3 times as big plus there's loads of gaps they can fill in. Sounds like it'll be as big as chester one day. I know two of the leopard brothers have moved on but it always annoyed 2 where always of show at a time
 
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