Jordan-Jaguar97
Well-Known Member
Thanks for that,looks like a heavily planted enclosure
Yorkshire Wildlife Park Amur/Siberian Tigers
- Thread starter rockyredfearn
- Start date
mazfc
Well-Known Member
Thanks for that,looks like a heavily planted enclosure
All the planting was already in the area, and has been kept wherever possible. It looks great with mature trees and plants.
This is the best I could do, he's only been coming out of the bushes in the evening! The female is coming within a few months, no more certain than that.
So modest! The best you can do is pretty amazing in my view, great shot.
Rather bizarre?!
The Villager - Community news for the people, by the people
The Villager - Community news for the people, by the people
karoocheetah
Well-Known Member
Interesting though - question is will the public now flock en masse to the park to see the new rare sabre toothed cat?
Love the name by the way, Vladimir - do you know what the female will be named?
She's called Elsa!
I like the way it only seems to have appeared in the local village mag so they won't have far to flock
I like the way it only seems to have appeared in the local village mag so they won't have far to flock
Vladimir was a bit more visible yesterday although I did deserve to see him because I went right down the bottom of the park 4 times
Great pix, but can you ask him not to trample those endangered British bluebells.
Jordan-Jaguar97
Well-Known Member
When will the second pair be introduced to the park?
I guess it will partly depend on whether (how quickly) Vladimir & Elsa hit it off because if not they'll be occupying both enclosures.
Jordan-Jaguar97
Well-Known Member
Will the house or houses be able to view indoors?
I doubt it, you can't view the lions indoors!
tw2310
Well-Known Member
Had my first view of Vlad today after being away for a couple of weeks and he looks great. He's huge! Looks like he's settling in well as he was quite active and happily wandering around. The enclosure and the walkway are a great addition to the park.
Coming back to the news about the amur leopards was great too, can't wait for them to arrive. The new ring tailed lemur twins were looking good as well, sad news about the baby camel and the female black & white lemur though. You go away for a couple of weeks and it all happens!!
On another note it's great to see this park coming along so well so quickly. I visited a couple of my favourite well established zoos whilst away, which i always enjoy, but being able to regularly see YWP as it develops in these early years is just as exciting.
Coming back to the news about the amur leopards was great too, can't wait for them to arrive. The new ring tailed lemur twins were looking good as well, sad news about the baby camel and the female black & white lemur though. You go away for a couple of weeks and it all happens!!
On another note it's great to see this park coming along so well so quickly. I visited a couple of my favourite well established zoos whilst away, which i always enjoy, but being able to regularly see YWP as it develops in these early years is just as exciting.
Attachments
Visited yesterday (my first visit in about six months).
Wow! What a load of progress has been made in such a short space of time (since my last visit and since the place opened). The new Tiger enclosures (one still under construction) look amazing, arguably the best in the country (off the top of my head I can only think of Highland Wildlife Park that's in the same league).
Additionally the new South American Walk-through (again under construction) looks huge. Together with probably the best Lion enclosure in the country and a Lemur Walk-through that's also one of the best this place is really growing well. The infrastructure has also been well developed and the staff are all very friendly too. It's exciting, if development continues to progress at the pace it has done so far, to imagine how good this place could be in (say) five years time*. There's few places I leave more positive than here.
*judging by how busy it was yesterday visitor numbers shouldn't prove a stumbling block
Wow! What a load of progress has been made in such a short space of time (since my last visit and since the place opened). The new Tiger enclosures (one still under construction) look amazing, arguably the best in the country (off the top of my head I can only think of Highland Wildlife Park that's in the same league).
Additionally the new South American Walk-through (again under construction) looks huge. Together with probably the best Lion enclosure in the country and a Lemur Walk-through that's also one of the best this place is really growing well. The infrastructure has also been well developed and the staff are all very friendly too. It's exciting, if development continues to progress at the pace it has done so far, to imagine how good this place could be in (say) five years time*. There's few places I leave more positive than here.
*judging by how busy it was yesterday visitor numbers shouldn't prove a stumbling block
Same again today - check out the pictures of the queue in the gallery. Good to see it doing well - and apart from maybe needing an extra desk or two at the gate on a day this busy the facilities seemed to be holding up well.
Jordan-Jaguar97
Well-Known Member
Sayan and Vladimir met for the first time today. Things are said to be going well.
Sayan and Vladimir met for the first time today. Things are said to be going well.
are they being left together or just trying it every now and again?
Jordan-Jaguar97
Well-Known Member
I don't know, it just showed photos of them being introduced, hopefully things are going well, I'll have a look on Saturday. (My first ever visit.
)
Jordan-Jaguar97
Well-Known Member
Official statement released by the park:
ENDANGERED TIGERS MEET FOR FIRST TIME
Two endangered tigers have been introduced to each other – just in time for Valentine’s Day.
Two year-old Vladimir and Sayan, 3, spent eight months living side by side in separate enclosures at Yorkshire Wildlife Park.
Staff started painstakingly planning their first meeting from the moment they were both living in large reserves in Land of the Tigers.
Finally, this week in a nail biting operation – risking injury or even death as no one knew for sure what their reaction would be – the critically endangered Amur Tigers were allowed together.
Staff kept a distance at first so as not to distract them – but were relieved when they showed signs that they were going to accept each other’s company.
Now after the successful introduction they will be able to spend Valentine’s Day together.
Director of YWP Cheryl Williams said:
“We are really pleased that Vlad and Sayan have hit it off so well - so far!
“Everyone was extremely nervous about the introduction as you never quite know what will happen. It really is a potentially dangerous situation.
“It all bodes well for a happy Valentine’s Day!”
The pair were brought separately to the award winning park as part of the Amur Tiger Breeding Programme.
Vladimir was the first tiger to move to YWP in Branton near Doncaster in February last year.
Sayan arrived in May just as the spectacular Land of The Tigers – one of the largest and most innovative tiger enclosures in Europe – was completed with two pools, a waterfall and a stunning 150m walkway for visitors.
The Amur (Siberian) tigers – which only have 400 surviving animals in the wild - were kept separate. But when in the tiger house they were able to see and contact each through the mesh.
Slowly, they got to know each other. Vladimir was always fairly relaxed, but Sayan took a lot longer to settle in.
The tigers were also frequently rotated between reserves to ensure they knew each other’s territories and smells.
The decision to introduce them was taken when they were both relaxed in each other’s company in the house.
Staff were extremely nervous on the day, not knowing what the reaction would be as tigers are naturally solitary.
Carnivore keeper Amy Sleight, who has been working with the tigers since they arrived, opened the slide and let Vlad out of the house and into Sayan’s woodland reserve.
She said:
“My heart was just pounding. I was so nervous. Vlad was very relaxed and just strolled out – then he went over the hill and out of my sight as he went towards Sayan. I was just waiting, wondering what was happening.”
Vlad and Sayan did not approach each other immediately – staying apart and looking at each other curiously.
Then chivalrous Vlad plucked up the courage to approach Sayan, politely greeting her. The tigers were quietly observed during the day and they seemed relaxed in each other’s company.
But the female tiger took no prisoners when her male counterpart later attempted to playfully jump on her during a rest – resulting in the zealous tiger receiving a cuff round the ear from his tigress!
YWP Animals Director John Minion said: “It went as well as we dared hope. We were so nervous when he first went out – that is the point of no return! But it is great to see the two together and a huge relief to everyone.”
Now both tigers are using both reserves with Vlad going back and forward between the two
YWP is working with the studbook keeper for Amur Tiger European Breeding Programme, which aims to save the tiger from extinction.
Vladimir and Sayan were allocated to YWP from the programme, which manages the movements of tigers and their breeding, selecting partners for their suitability and genetic diversity at zoos around Europe.
Now YWP will prepare to welcome another pair of tigers for integration as part of the European Breeding Programme. The tigers will live as pairs, as unlike lions, they are not a social cat that lives in large groups.
It is hoped in the future the tigers will make their own contribution to the programme, but any breeding is subject to the recommendation from the studbook keeper.
AMUR TIGER FACTFILE
The Amur Tiger is the largest big cat in the world. Threatened by habitat loss and poachers, this tiger is critically endangered with fewer than 400 animals thought to be surviving in the wild.
ENDANGERED TIGERS MEET FOR FIRST TIME
Two endangered tigers have been introduced to each other – just in time for Valentine’s Day.
Two year-old Vladimir and Sayan, 3, spent eight months living side by side in separate enclosures at Yorkshire Wildlife Park.
Staff started painstakingly planning their first meeting from the moment they were both living in large reserves in Land of the Tigers.
Finally, this week in a nail biting operation – risking injury or even death as no one knew for sure what their reaction would be – the critically endangered Amur Tigers were allowed together.
Staff kept a distance at first so as not to distract them – but were relieved when they showed signs that they were going to accept each other’s company.
Now after the successful introduction they will be able to spend Valentine’s Day together.
Director of YWP Cheryl Williams said:
“We are really pleased that Vlad and Sayan have hit it off so well - so far!
“Everyone was extremely nervous about the introduction as you never quite know what will happen. It really is a potentially dangerous situation.
“It all bodes well for a happy Valentine’s Day!”
The pair were brought separately to the award winning park as part of the Amur Tiger Breeding Programme.
Vladimir was the first tiger to move to YWP in Branton near Doncaster in February last year.
Sayan arrived in May just as the spectacular Land of The Tigers – one of the largest and most innovative tiger enclosures in Europe – was completed with two pools, a waterfall and a stunning 150m walkway for visitors.
The Amur (Siberian) tigers – which only have 400 surviving animals in the wild - were kept separate. But when in the tiger house they were able to see and contact each through the mesh.
Slowly, they got to know each other. Vladimir was always fairly relaxed, but Sayan took a lot longer to settle in.
The tigers were also frequently rotated between reserves to ensure they knew each other’s territories and smells.
The decision to introduce them was taken when they were both relaxed in each other’s company in the house.
Staff were extremely nervous on the day, not knowing what the reaction would be as tigers are naturally solitary.
Carnivore keeper Amy Sleight, who has been working with the tigers since they arrived, opened the slide and let Vlad out of the house and into Sayan’s woodland reserve.
She said:
“My heart was just pounding. I was so nervous. Vlad was very relaxed and just strolled out – then he went over the hill and out of my sight as he went towards Sayan. I was just waiting, wondering what was happening.”
Vlad and Sayan did not approach each other immediately – staying apart and looking at each other curiously.
Then chivalrous Vlad plucked up the courage to approach Sayan, politely greeting her. The tigers were quietly observed during the day and they seemed relaxed in each other’s company.
But the female tiger took no prisoners when her male counterpart later attempted to playfully jump on her during a rest – resulting in the zealous tiger receiving a cuff round the ear from his tigress!
YWP Animals Director John Minion said: “It went as well as we dared hope. We were so nervous when he first went out – that is the point of no return! But it is great to see the two together and a huge relief to everyone.”
Now both tigers are using both reserves with Vlad going back and forward between the two
YWP is working with the studbook keeper for Amur Tiger European Breeding Programme, which aims to save the tiger from extinction.
Vladimir and Sayan were allocated to YWP from the programme, which manages the movements of tigers and their breeding, selecting partners for their suitability and genetic diversity at zoos around Europe.
Now YWP will prepare to welcome another pair of tigers for integration as part of the European Breeding Programme. The tigers will live as pairs, as unlike lions, they are not a social cat that lives in large groups.
It is hoped in the future the tigers will make their own contribution to the programme, but any breeding is subject to the recommendation from the studbook keeper.
AMUR TIGER FACTFILE
The Amur Tiger is the largest big cat in the world. Threatened by habitat loss and poachers, this tiger is critically endangered with fewer than 400 animals thought to be surviving in the wild.
tw2310
Well-Known Member
Went to see them today and everything around the introduction seems to have gone great. There's a notice on the enclosure explaining they both now have full access to both sides of the enclosure.
Took a couple of hours of waiting around to see it as Vlad was inside keeping out of the cold, but when he eventually put in an appearance they seemed very much at ease with each other. Not much interaction, but then no signs of stress or any trouble either. A great step forward in their plans to breed the pair.
On my last visit a couple of weeks ago i also had my first sight of one of the leopards sitting on a platform in one of the smaller enclosures alongside the camel paddock. He was attracting quite a lot of attention from everyone who passed by. Just hope the recent bad weather doesn't put them any further behind in finishing the enclosure.
Took a couple of hours of waiting around to see it as Vlad was inside keeping out of the cold, but when he eventually put in an appearance they seemed very much at ease with each other. Not much interaction, but then no signs of stress or any trouble either. A great step forward in their plans to breed the pair.
On my last visit a couple of weeks ago i also had my first sight of one of the leopards sitting on a platform in one of the smaller enclosures alongside the camel paddock. He was attracting quite a lot of attention from everyone who passed by. Just hope the recent bad weather doesn't put them any further behind in finishing the enclosure.