The Atlantic Forest at Yorkshire Wildlife Park

30.3.2023 by Ralph Morton

20 to 22 March was time for me to go back to Yorkshire Wildlife Park (YWP). Back in January I had seen the Maned Wolf Pups briefly from a distance. YWP released this photo of what they looked like then.

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Maned Wolves arrived at YWP in 2020/21. Ibera aged 3 came first then her mate, Axenus, 5. They have five pups.

Facebook photographers have recorded how the pups are now very similar to their parents in looks and size. Unfortunately I did not get to see them. YWP had moved the Capybara (giant guinea pigs) and Mara (Pampas Hares) into the enclosure behind the Maned Wolves.

Axenus regarded the Capybara as a threat to his pups. This meant that during the day his family stayed in hiding, only coming out just before the park closed. However, it did allow me really to get to know Axenus.

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At midday a Ranger brought a morsel for Axenus to eat. He picked it up and took it to Ibera in her den.

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Axenus has his own den. In the background is the larger den for the Tapirs and their enclosure. The Tapirs and Maned Wolves take little notice of one another.

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The rear of the enclosure is thickly grown with trees and bushes. Axenus was keeping an eye on the boundary behind it.

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He used his paws to shake the bushes and later could be seen carrying foliage.

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In the middle of the Maned Wolf enclosure is a marshy pond Axenus shows his elegant legs off.

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Predators are very careful where they use a WC. Axenus chooses the water. Sorry for the Paparazzi foto.

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Ducks don’t seem to mind sharing water with Predators. YWP is no exception.

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The Maned Wolf is a big animal, like other wolves. But they have the rich coloured fur of a fox. The black fur is the mane which can rise and bristle. The distinctive white tail brush is always kept against the bottom and rarely seems to flare out.

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The ears are very large. Maned Wolves prey on small animals so scent and hearing are crucial to a successful hunt.

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The Atlantic Forest is one of several geographic habitats at YWP. This colourful sign explains why it was selected.

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The Tapirs are always worth a visit and can often be seen in the water.

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The first animals you come to when you enter YWP are often nowhere to be seen. Sometimes, however, the Bush Dogs are racing around their enclosure. But when the sun comes out it’s time for a nap.

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So what at first was a bit of a blow turned out an opportunity to see more of a Maned Wolf. Next time will be back to Polar Bears so I will leave you with one of the Park’s Meerkats and a view of the Hex Hotel where I spent two nights.

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9 Comments

  1. Dear Ralph,

    When we think of YWP, we only think of our beloved bears, but your photos also show many other animals there.
    I really like the maned wolves and the little cubs are so adorable.
    Thank you for your detailed report and the beautiful photos.
    I’m glad you had better weather on your visit this time.

  2. Lieber Ralph!

    Vielen Dank für deinen interessanten Bericht und für die schönen Fotos!
    Das klingt nach einem sehr spannenden Besuch.
    Liebe Grüße
    Yeo

  3. Dear Ralph!

    Once again I enjoyed both reading and publishing your report from YWP. Your presentation of the Atlantic Forest gave me and the readers of this magazine lots of information about the maned wolves and even about other animals in YWP.

    Mr Axenus is a handsome male and he seems to be a caring ‘husband’ as well taking food to Ibera.

    You took great photos of him but I hope he will forgive you for the paparazzo photo! 🙂

    The ducks are the same everywhere – they are either very brave or very stupid entering the predators’ enclosures.

    Meeting a cute meerkat before leaving the park was a perfect finish for your first day.

    Thank you so much for the first report from YWP.

    Hugs from Mervi

  4. Dear Ralph!
    Thank you for the interesting report and for the introducing Axenus to us.
    Hugs
    Ludmila

  5. Thanks for the amazing story and photos about Mr. Maned Wolf. He is handsome but so strange looking with those long legs. Extra long in the reflection photos. I believe they smell like skunks, as I remember from my visit to the San Diego Zoo, where I heard a maned wolf keeper talk. How nice that you can visit YWP and our bears and of course the other other animals.

  6. Dear Ralph!
    Thank you for these somewhat different impressions from the YWP. I really appreciate that you are again introducing us to some other animals besides your favourites, the polar bears, first and foremost of course the elegantly long-legged maned wolves. The little one is adorable!
    Since the zoo documentary “Panda, Gorilla & Co” and after I got to know the Berlin tapirs Ronja, Birk, Maja and Pablo, I really like lowland tapirs. They love to be caressed and like to lie down while being stroked, they like to bathe and are very sensual in other ways too.
    Cute meerkats are among my favourites anyway and this one is no exception.

    Hugs
    Anke

  7. Thank you Ralph for your lovely photo’s and informative report on our animals in the ‘Atlantic Forest’ here at YWP. They are often hiding away and difficult to see……..unless you are prepared to wait around for a sighting. On the other hand, having eight polar bears in 3 or 4 separate enclosures, usually there is always some kind of activity.

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