I thought that it could do with a few more trees and bushes being planted, but looks quite empty yes
Yorkshire Wildlife Park Yorkshire Wildlife Park News 2023
- Thread starter HuskyMatt
- Start date
ZooTripper365
Well-Known Member
Maybe some rockwork would be nice as well for the cheetahs. That and some foliage would be great and wouldn't make it feel so bare.
Naturewithnaill
New Member
Not in the main part of the enclosure, but in the back nursery, yes. I shared some photographs and video on FaceBook today. Check it out here if you're interested!
I should add that while the YWP's Facebook page said they were in the nursery, they were mistaken. The cub only had it's last vaccine in the past few days so it was only just able to come out. I think the plan is small nursery, big nursery, then main enclosure. No idea on timelines yet though as they're taking it day by day.
Had a visit today. The new cheetah enclosure is fantastic. I can see where the comments about it being a bit bare are coming from but I think that the enclosure is perfectly fine as there are areas where the cheetahs can hide. I saw both cheetahs. Brooke was in the larger enclosure and keepers were trying to get his attention to feed him but he was too busy watching Darcy in one of the other enclosures.
Not much else to comment on but I did only see 7 of the giant otters. As far as I'm aware there should be 9.
Not much else to comment on but I did only see 7 of the giant otters. As far as I'm aware there should be 9.
ZooTripper365
Well-Known Member
Yes the cheetah enclosure does look good. As far as I know the giant otters aren't always seen as they're enclosure has lots of hiding opportunities and an off show indoor area towards tha back that they use often. Maybe something has happened to the two otters but I've not heard anything.
DonnyMax
Active Member
There is a cave with rockwork around them in each enclosure. From speaking to some of the staff, they do intend to plant more trees just didn't have time before the summer came so will do so once the hot weather is over. They also plan more enrichent areas such as platforms but want to wait for the new arrivals are fully settled before doing any more work around them.
When i went 2 week ago, one was in the giraffe only area and 2 were in the into africa reserve
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Was in Yorkshire for work today so took the afternoon off as my return route took me past YWP. Had a very nice few hours in the lead up to closing time. Blazing hot but the absence of crowds made it more than bearable. From 430pm onwards there were so few people you recognised them as you passed them again.
The new cheetah enclosures stand out - as good as the pictures suggest, spacious and well laid out. They look less bare bones in person and there are places to hide for the inhabitants as mentioned. There are also a good number of young saplings planted in each space already so the planting / cover should improve over time. The enclosure is very YWP - sizeable animal space, wooden fenced large sandy path, off show animal housing, thoughtful visitor viewing without wire in the way, not much information / signage (the latter is really hit and miss at YWP for me anyway - there’s either tonnes of it or as good as nothing). It also splits up the visitors between cheetahs and the route past the otters etc vs filtering everyone one way, so that should be useful on busy days.
Saw one of the cheetahs. Overall it’s a large and expansive new exhibit - it will be interesting to see if they produce little cheetahs in it.
Elsewhere it was excellent to see the seal pups swimming and playing in the nursery pool as they were too young for the water on my previous visit. They both look great.
The male leopard was having food so that made for good views. A couple of the polar bears were surprisingly active. The red howlers looked beautiful in the afternoon sun and the youngster looks to be getting on well. The hyenas were also out and about as were the geladas and Guinea baboons. No sign of the bush dogs and maned wolves. There was one Okapi shut in the paddock next to the dik dik - I hadn’t seen one in there before. Guess they are separated off for some reason.
Distracted by the charms of the lemurs, giant otters and howlers I arrived at Amazonas too late to see the free roaming primates outside as they had just gone away for the evening, but a Keeper mentioned the coppery titi monkey is being introduced to the others and should be outside soon, so that should make for a nice addition.
All together a very nice way to spend the afternoon.
The new cheetah enclosures stand out - as good as the pictures suggest, spacious and well laid out. They look less bare bones in person and there are places to hide for the inhabitants as mentioned. There are also a good number of young saplings planted in each space already so the planting / cover should improve over time. The enclosure is very YWP - sizeable animal space, wooden fenced large sandy path, off show animal housing, thoughtful visitor viewing without wire in the way, not much information / signage (the latter is really hit and miss at YWP for me anyway - there’s either tonnes of it or as good as nothing). It also splits up the visitors between cheetahs and the route past the otters etc vs filtering everyone one way, so that should be useful on busy days.
Saw one of the cheetahs. Overall it’s a large and expansive new exhibit - it will be interesting to see if they produce little cheetahs in it.
Elsewhere it was excellent to see the seal pups swimming and playing in the nursery pool as they were too young for the water on my previous visit. They both look great.
The male leopard was having food so that made for good views. A couple of the polar bears were surprisingly active. The red howlers looked beautiful in the afternoon sun and the youngster looks to be getting on well. The hyenas were also out and about as were the geladas and Guinea baboons. No sign of the bush dogs and maned wolves. There was one Okapi shut in the paddock next to the dik dik - I hadn’t seen one in there before. Guess they are separated off for some reason.
Distracted by the charms of the lemurs, giant otters and howlers I arrived at Amazonas too late to see the free roaming primates outside as they had just gone away for the evening, but a Keeper mentioned the coppery titi monkey is being introduced to the others and should be outside soon, so that should make for a nice addition.
All together a very nice way to spend the afternoon.
ZooTripper365
Well-Known Member
Have all the bush dogs moved to Marwell? I saw that a pack of them have moved from YWP. Does this mean they're all gone? Seems to match up to you not seeing any.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Thanks both that makes sense. Usually you see some sign or other particularly later in the day. I do enjoy a bush dog.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
BBC news website coverage of the new leopard cub venturing into the enclosure at YWP for the first time.
Leopard cub takes first outdoor steps at Yorkshire Wildlife Park
Leopard cub takes first outdoor steps at Yorkshire Wildlife Park
Not sure if this has been announced previously but rhino Najuma is 10 months pregnant, she is likely due around March and the father is Makibo.
Just seen a Facebook post on ywp photography page with pictures saying that ywps received 9 meerkats does anyone know we’re there from and how many they have Now?
Taken from social media RIP Simba
Today is World Animal Day, and we need to take a moment to celebrate the life of Simba who yesterday lost his battle with ongoing age-related health issues. Simba was just one of 13 amazing Lions YWP rescued and whose legacy will continue for years to come. Please share your photos and memories of Simba below so we can all remember the amazing animal he was. Rest in peace Simba.
Our amazing dedicated animal team
#worldanimalday #InternationalZooKeeperDay
Today is World Animal Day, and we need to take a moment to celebrate the life of Simba who yesterday lost his battle with ongoing age-related health issues. Simba was just one of 13 amazing Lions YWP rescued and whose legacy will continue for years to come. Please share your photos and memories of Simba below so we can all remember the amazing animal he was. Rest in peace Simba.
Our amazing dedicated animal team
#worldanimalday #InternationalZooKeeperDay
Pantherinae
Active Member
Very sad to see Simba go. A remarkable animal.
Now, only the three sisters remain at the park out of the original thirteen, Carla, Crystal and Julie, aged around 16 years.
ZooTripper365
Well-Known Member
R.I.P Simba 
Always great to see him on my visits
Always great to see him on my visits