Yorkshire Wildlife Park Yorkshire Wildlife Park News 2023
- Thread starter HuskyMatt
- Start date
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Experienced the same thing last year. But it’s changed now.
They’ve implemented some upgrade to their scanning system (the person dealing with memberships mentioned it, they weren't reusing the old cards so needed a new one) and people were just going to the gates.
They seemed to be expecting lots of people as there was a weaving maze stand thing to walk through which I guess was to control the queues for the gates but there were so few people everyone just walked round it.
I visited YWP yesterday - I intend to post a more detailed review at some point but will say for now that I was very VERY lucky to see a baby Giant Otter! There was a lot of commotion in the house and after a while the mother otter carried one of the babies into the viewing area. It seemed like the rest of the family all wanted to look as much as the few visitors who were there did, mum soon got a bit fed up and dragged her baby back off show! I didn't manage to get any photos as it all happened so fast but I felt extremely priviliged to see such a young cub.
By the way, the pool has been drained, presumably for the safety of the babies. All the otters appeared to be shut in but later in the afternoon four of them were outside in the main enclosure enjoying the pool and making a wonderful racket!
By the way, the pool has been drained, presumably for the safety of the babies. All the otters appeared to be shut in but later in the afternoon four of them were outside in the main enclosure enjoying the pool and making a wonderful racket!
Visited Chester Zoo yesterday and it had made me realise what ywp are missing. They have no birds, reptiles, amphibians or fish on show and they have no indoor exhibits. I think they could’ve benefited from the gorilla project that was proposed as that would’ve provided an indoor exhibit for the park. They really need some bird aviaries, and maybe a tropical house.
I don't disagree that these additions would be good, but they would cost money that YWP don't seem to have currently.
Also if all zoos were the same (even as Chester) it would be very boring. Variety in species held and other factors is surely a good thing?
Rajang-GOAT
Well-Known Member
That's what I was thinking. It is true that those additions would help elevate YWP overall to the level of other major UK collections, but to me YWP seem to chosen to have specialise in medium to large animals, and that is something they do very well at, so I don't see any problem with that.
What other posters have said about not wanting all zoos to be the same is definitely true, I agree with you that YWP would benefit from some more variety in exhibits. I have posted a lengthy review on a visit last week and one of my big observations was how exposed the site is, especially the new area, with no shelter at all. Something like a large tropical house, or even indoor animal viewing areas for some species, would make a huge difference. Admittedly they probably can't afford a huge project right now, but maybe if they hadn't chucked money at the hotel they would have... just a thought!
How is the construction going on that (if at all), by the way? Haven't been in quite a few years...
And you can see why they did - almost every large attraction in the UK is looking into some sort of onsite accomodation.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park has been billed ever since the initial planning request as a "walk-round safari park" - they've always made an effort to avoid aviaries and tanks, and I don't see that changing much any time soon - it's just their way.
The hotel was very much built with a mind to catching some of the airport trade, hence being outside the actual zoo. That didn't work brilliantly for them, as the airport closed just as the hotel was finished...
The hotel was very much built with a mind to catching some of the airport trade, hence being outside the actual zoo. That didn't work brilliantly for them, as the airport closed just as the hotel was finished...
The hotel is open, although there did appear to be some further building work going on next to it - there was a very large frame up, and not much else.
That building I think was to be a conference or events place not much has been done for a while
Alwaysevergreen
Well-Known Member
It is due to consist of that, but it was also more rooms for the hotel, as they wanted to make it a large hotel, and I think at present there is about 50 rooms, but originally they wanted somewhere in the region of 100-120 rooms.
At present however, the finances are not in place to finish the project, which is a shame, but nobody was expecting three huge financial blows which have hit the whole economy over the last 5 years.
Yorkshire have recently had land agents in, valuing the site, so whether that is looking for investment, loans or selling some of it, I don't know, but one thing is clear, the money it generates from being a zoo, isn't enough to handle the current overheads and it really is a sign of the times.
The few additions people have mentioned would be nice, and I agree that the lack of birds and reptiles is noticeable, but until the zoo is making money, anything like this or major developments is nothing more than pipe dreams.
I understand why the park moved into the commercial element and it has worked out well for many other zoos. Personally I think the hotel is rather cheap, when you can pay just over £110 and it gives you a nice room, 1 days park access and also breakfast. Most places I stay in these days tend to be £100 room only, so to able to stay there and have breakfast and go round the park for £110, I think they have made themselves very cheap. However the hotel is rarely busy, and some of the shops, I do wonder if they make money given the sort of shops they are, but the fact they are all full, will be bringing in vital funds.
The Safari Nights has been cut right back this year after last years disaster which cost the park a lot of money and reputation (with the music industry) and judging by the tickets available, it doesn't appear that Olly Murs has grabbed the spotlight for them, with a lot of ticket availability in all three price tiers.
Hopefully, Yorkshire can turn the corner, but I think it will be quite some time before any major developments, animal wise come to fruition.
Fantastic news! With these successful breedings since they got them only a few years ago (the first in the UK I believe!) I wonder if this species will expand to more UK zoos.
LiterateLycaon
New Member
The name of the Roloway Monkey born at the end of January has been announced as Ama, a name with Ghanaian origins meaning “born on a Saturday”. She is also female, so is the younger sister of brothers Kumasi and Dassioko.
I think you are correct Fallax.
Red howler monkey birth:
British Zoo Celebrates Birth of Rare Red Howler Monkey
The infant was born April 29 to Geronimo and Tila.
The infant is believed to be the second red howler monkey born in the United Kingdom (the first being their daughter, born October 2021).
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Good news about the arrival of new cotton top tamarin twins. Third set of offspring for the parents.
Cotton Top Tamarin Monkeys twins born
Cotton Top Tamarin Monkeys twins born