Yorkshire Wildlife Park Yorkshire Wildlife Park New arrivals

I think the bachelor giraffes are pretty certain, probably before next spring (unless they get some other exciting animals like Amur leopards sprung on them) and eventually rhino too.

Never heard of the red pandas so can't comment.
 
OrangePerson said:
I think the bachelor giraffes are pretty certain, probably before next spring (unless they get some other exciting animals like Amur leopards sprung on them) and eventually rhino too.

Never heard of the red pandas so can't comment.
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My vague memory is that the panda exhibit was going to be built as part of the Amur Leopard project - I'm not sure if that was rumour or substantiated though so I'm trying to find my source.

EDIT: found source: http://www.zoochat.com/38/red-pandas-216984/
 
The red panda enclosure planning permission went through at the same time as the leopard enclosure. The plans show it to be based around a tree which sits between the plains of africa and what will soon be the leopard enclosure.

The planning permission for the hoofstock housing (giraffes) and foodstore went through some time ago, but i guess when you're offered something like amur leopards out of the blue then you can be forgiven for putting that one on hold for a while.

The original masterplan (which is already posted on here in the gallery i think) goes on to detail areas for asian & african rhino, asian hoofstock, great apes and a tropical house.

It's amazing to see how much of that masterplan is already in place. I presume it was meant to be something like a 5 year plan, but at the rate they're expanding this place could be huge in that timescale. Great to see such an exciting project, and to see visitor numbers going up with the continued expansion.
 
Visited today.
A huge transofrmation in status in lemur woods. The black & white ruffed lemurs used to be top dogs, a real pain (often shut away) at talk time, chasing everyone off the food however much there was it was all theirs as far as they were concerned. Since the death of Lucy who was the real boss they have totally lost their status and little Silver, the ringtail who was doing a quite a good job fending off the troublesome ruffeds from the twin babies seems to have had power gone to her head and now really has a go at the B&W pair of males. The brown lemurs also wouldn't let the boys near anything, they are a shadow of their former selves.

The marmoset enclosure was excellent with lots of squeaking from up the very large, for a marmoset enclosure, tree. Not sure how many there are but they had twins in May whilst they were off show. I think I could see 5 or 6 at one point but there could have been lots more in that tree!

In the SA wakthrough the capybara decided to go for a swim when we arrived, brilliant! Manged to spot a couple of agouti hiding in the woodpiles and a mara and quite young baby. They've had 3 lots of babies already. The animals, including the rhea seem really well settled in and not bothered by people.

The car parks were full but the park didn't feel at all crowded.

Forgot, there's been another baby Ankole born, second this year. There were at least 3 young lechwe, I think there are about 24 of them at the moment.[/QUOTE]
 
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Popped in this morning in order to catch up with changes and pick up some guides to take to next month's Zoohistorica in Leipzig.

The South American walkthrough was earning its keep well - very busy and all animals showing well. Only the monkeys still seem skittish - the rodents and rheas were supremely relaxed.

The agoutis are Azara's (which I don't think has been mentioned here) - the squirrel monkeys are definitely a mix of Bolivian and Common - I think pure individuals of each but they could be hybrids. The sign doesn't offer a species-level ID - the guide calls them boliviensis.

Very impressed with the marmoset enclosure - and there's seemingly hundreds of the blighters - just as well as when they're in that huge tree they'll be hard to spot.

The new bird of prey aviaries are just-about fully stocked, with:

Barn Owl
Hooded Vulture
European Eagle Owl
Tawny Owl (labelled but absent)
Burrowing Owls
Black Kites

The bird of prey mews just had Peregrine, Common Kestrel and Harris Hawk.

And work is in progress on the leopard exhibit.


Finally, the new-style map is now up on the website: http://media.wix.com/ugd/846d46_db7deef10be48e1704d957518b076ddf.pdf?dn=res.pdf
 
Thanks for the update and the link to the map. I love how the emu is featured on the African Plains. He's definitely an icon now and should stay exactly where he is :)
 
mazfc said:
Thanks for the update and the link to the map. I love how the emu is featured on the African Plains. He's definitely an icon now and should stay exactly where he is :)
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In the guide book the whole entry for the Emu is just a single, brief paragraph:

This animal does not really belong on the African Plains. Can you spot him?
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So they're at least pointing out the incongruity! :D
 
Maguari said:
the squirrel monkeys are definitely a mix of Bolivian and Common - I think pure individuals of each but they could be hybrids. The sign doesn't offer a species-level ID - the guide calls them boliviensis.
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Is it the elderly female that's different to the other 3 or did you think 2 & 2?
 
OrangePerson said:
Is it the elderly female that's different to the other 3 or did you think 2 & 2?
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I only got a good look at 3 but I'd say two Common and a Bolivian. Only the 'Bolivian' came outside the cage into the main exhibit.
 

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Visited today for the first time in about 4 or 5 weeks and just a few things to update on. It was incredibly busy, and if it's even a half decent day weatherwise tomorrow the place will be packed.

Shame to see that the opening of the amur leopard enclosure has been put back to easter 2012, but i guess if you miss the big summer crowds then that's the next "big" time to open a new exhibit. Hopefully the winter won't be too bad and they can get on with building.

The South American walkthrough is still proving to be very popular and it was good to see that the marmosets are doing well. After a set of twins being born in May there's now a second set of twins, born mid August. It was a bit chilly today so they were all inside but couldn't get an accurate count as there were so many of them running about the place. A very active and lively group that are a huge hit with the public.
 
Slightly off topic of new arrivals although it will be our 1st visit :D

Has anyone done the VIP ranger tour or seen anyone having one? Do you think it will be worth it for £150 for 2 hours (up to 4 people although will only be us)?

As part of our 2nd week of our holiday we are doing our annual zoo tour and planning on visiting and I am desperately seeking an 'experience' of some sort for my other 'alves' birthday while we are away, this looks good value if it involves behind the scenes and feeding, compared to some others!

(If not any other ideas welcome :D, spending a week in Dorset (Monkey world), then hotel hopping to Bristol Zoo, Cotswolds WP (1st time), Dudley, Twycross, Yorkshire WP, Whipsnade then to Hampshire (isn't that nearly a full circle lol) for Marwell for his actual birthday :eek: )
 
Not done any of the experiences myself but having spoken to people who have they said they had a good time. I think YWP still have some sort of "big cats and breakfast" tour, which involves letting the lions out in the morning. Out of any of the experiences i'm tempted by that one the most.
 
Have not bothered with the birds of prey demos this year because I've seen it so often but luckily I was passing at display time yesterday and my attention was caught by the burrowing owls which I'd never seen before and I stayed and was stunned by the two black kites which fly round spectacularly and catch the food thrown to them and put it in their mouths, they are still young birds but already stunning so if you have been complacent like me I'd say get along to the display - it's evolved since last year!

Don't know whether it's the cooler weather and shorter days but have been catching the tigers being active and (not a cat expert) but I think Vladimir (Amur tiger) looks much happier and more settled. He and Sayan have seen each other in the house and if anything she is nervous of him (she's a bit older).

Cezar the lion was giving cause for concern but nothing in particular showed up and he has improved a bit since they've separated the two adults from the young males - Cezar certainly was not alpha male any more, I saw the 'boys' mug him for his food/treat one day. Johnny Senior does still seem to be able to keep his sons in order and was seen to whack one of them who tried to steal his food.
 
A couple of pics from yesterday. Black kite, burrowing owl & male Amur tiger.
 

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Planning permission is now being sort for a 'baboon experience enclosure,' African lodge and additional enclosures. Plans not yet available. but things are moving fast.

Some plans now available
 
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Shawy81 said:
PublicAccess @ Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council: Application Details (11/02798/FUL)
hope this link works makes some very interesting reading especially the future stock on the collection plan
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Thanks for loading, it made very interesting reading.
This park has such big and impressive plans, if they carry on like this then they will be in the UK's top 3 in no time.
Only downside is the phasing out of raccoon dogs, to my thinking they are rare in the UK and people do like to see them (or is that just me).
 
Very ambitious! Surely this is a wish list of species rather than a actual plan? Though I am surprised that Indian rhino are a available species.

Chizlit raccoon dogs are rare in zoos however are becoming a fairly common exotic pet here in the UK. I've seen them advertised on plenty of occasions at around the £300-£500. It seems odd that they are rare in UK zoos given that they are easily available to the public after a little research.
 
Thanks for the link Shawy81.
A very interesting read, with the emphasis at the moment on large mammals, very ambitious, especially with the okapi, but why not, aim high is what i say.
A few more bird species would be a nice balance though.
 
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