26.1.2023 by Ralph Morton
A stretch of milder but wet weather encouraged me to visit the Yorkshire Wildlife Park (YWP) between 9 and 11 January. The main reason for my visit was to see the Maned Wolf cubs while they were still small.
The parents live on a specially designed enclosure with a nice warm house to live in as well as a wooded area to hide in. There is also a pool for them to swim in. The picture shows the enclosure.
A rather blurry photo from my phone shows that the Maned Wolf is quite big. However they are very shy so the Rangers can enter their enclosure without any problems.
I did get to see the five cubs on Monday morning. The parents hide them in the undergrowth of the wooded area . When a Ranger brought some food the cubs appeared briefly and ran all over the place.
Photographs of the cubs are on Facebook and they are growing fast so I am sure Pat, Philip or Sheila will bring you some photos soon.
After seeing the cubs it was time to visit a larger cub at Project Polar 2. Tala was inside the Exercise Area of the den while mum Flocke was outside.
Flocke is a distinctive looking bear who has longer fur then her daughter and is usually pacing around waiting for food.
After a long walk past the Giraffe, Tigers, Okapi and Giant Otters (all too faraway for my phone cam) I arrived at Project Polar 1 where Stephen King was hard at work photoing the bears. It was good to catch up with him about what was going on.
Indie and Yuma have grown so much that in these pictures it is hard to tell them apart from Nobby. Fans of Nobby know he is usually the muddiest. The gulls were also joining in the feeding.
Next door Hamish was trying to get the attention of the Rangers. Sisu was inside taking a rest in the den. Sisu tends to get roped in to play with the others and was getting a well earned rest. Hamish was missing him.
Luka and Hamish were also given food. As the two biggest Bears they tend now to share the same enclosure. Hamish still plays a bit rough as does Indie whereas Yuma, Nobby and Sisu prefer it gentler.
On my way back to the entrance and my welcome first night in the hotel I passed the Polar Bear who with other animals have featured in the Christmas illumination evenings at YWP. A bigger version of the Red Panda was also there.
The first day at YWP had gone all too quickly but it had been well worth the long journey from Oxford. I was soon settling down for the evening in a comfortable room at the Hex Hotel.
Dear Ralph,
What a nice visit you had, even in the middle of winter. Very nice to see the bears sharing their snacks with the birds. Next time you visit, those maned wolf cubs will be so much bigger. It’s good to see them while they are small, babies grow so fast.
Molly
Dear Ralph,
A really lovely and informative report of your day here at the YWP. Hopefully you will be back before the Maned Wolf Cubs are fully grown. Staying at the Hex Hotel is so convenient for you, I hope you enjoyed your stay there.
Pat
Dear Ralph
A good idea to use the mild weather to visit the WYP.
I think the first one was worth it.
You saw everyone safe and sound.
I look forward to reading your further observations and seeing them in pictures.
Hugs,
Anita
Thank you very much dear Ralph.
Best wishes to Flocke, Tala, Yuma, Indy, Luka, Nobby, Hamish, Sisu and the other animals at YWP.
Dear Ralph!
I really like your photos today! The light is magical and the animals, especially the polar bears, are beautifully captured. The pictures clearly show that you had a good time on your first day in Yorkshire.
I found the photo showing the maned wolves’ enclosure and surroundings particularly interesting. I already knew these animals from the Leipzig Zoo documentary, but had no real idea of their size.
I am happy for you that you were able to see their cubs too, the real reason for your visit in January.
I have never seen so many fearless seagulls in close proximity to the polar bears and their food. The fact that Flocke’s fur is thicker and longer than her daughter’s may yet change. After all, both parents are blessed with very beautiful fur.
Thank you for this beautiful report and your interesting observations!
Hughs
Anke
Dear Ralph!
Thank you so much for sharing your impressions and experiences in YWP with us. Your report is both entertaining and informative as always!
Hugs from Mervi
Wishing yo a good time again in the YWP.
Thanks for sharig again your impressions with the KM-readers-watchers(-writers).
You brought as interesting as partially funny pics.
Love the sculptures.
Don’t the bears get crazy with all those birds (however, nice to watch for us here in KM!)
Dear Ralph,
as always your reports are detailed and very interesting.
With the description of your observations, one feels right in the middle of the bears.
It is nice that the keepers are still very informative.
Seeing the small maned wolves was of course a very special highlight and yes, adult maned wolves have an amazing size, this is caused by their long legs.
Canine pups grow so fast, you’ll see some pretty big cubs on your next visit. I’ve never seen very small maned wolf pups at all. Too bad you couldn’t photograph them.
Thank you very much and best regards!
Britta-Gudrun
Dear Ralph!
It is great, that you met the cubs of the maned wolves.
The polar bears look wonderful.
Hugs
Ludmila