Latest news with #EuropeanAssociationofZoosandAquaria
BBC News
08-04-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Yorkshire Wildlife Park staff celebrate monkey's birth
A monkey which is a member of a species whose numbers in the wild are falling has been born at a wildlife park in youngster, who has yet to be named, was the third gelada monkey ever to be born at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, near Doncaster, staff have Wright, primate leader at the park, said the members of the team were "delighted" when they found out mum Bachuma was Bachuma gave birth last month, "she has kept her baby tight to her chest", Ms Wright said. Geladas "originate from high rocky mountains in Ethiopia, where global warming is threatening their existence", according to Ms Wright."They are the last pure grass-eating species of primate left on the planet, and we are dedicated to protecting them." Staff at Yorkshire Wildlife Park park have been working with the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria on research projects into geladas for several initiative saw Taylor, the father of the park's newest arrival, and his half-brother Obi - both previously of Colchester Zoo - introduced to an already established group of primates, something which had never been done fathered Azezo in December 2022 and Kobo in March 2024 at Yorkshire Wildlife Park.A spokesperson for the attraction said it was now one of the first parks to have two breeding troops of gelada monkeys in the same Wright said it was still too early to know the gender of the new arrival, but time would tell."Male geladas have a long cape of hair and the red patch on their chest is much larger and brighter," she added that 19-year-old Bachuma was the "alpha female" of one troop of geladas and "fiercely protective of her new infant"."The other females in the troop help Bachuma with grooming and check up on the baby," she added. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Endangered tiger cub triplets born at safari park
A new set of critically endangered tiger cub triplets have been born at a wildlife park. The three Sumatran tiger cubs arrived at West Midlands Safari Park (WMSP) in Bewdley, Worcestershire, on 17 January. They will spend their first few weeks alone with their mother, 13-year-old Dourga, before keepers enter the den to carry out health checks. It is likely to be this summer at the earliest before visitors will be able to see the cubs. Dourga gave birth in an indoor den where the cubs, who are born blind, have since been learning to suckle and taken their first tentative steps. Head keeper of carnivores Kasha Carter said staff would not disturb the family until the cubs were about eight weeks old. "We've got to let mum do what she wants to do," she explained. "We just take a back seat and let her do what she wants to do because naturally that's what would happen in the wild. The mums spend about 70% of their time in the den nursing. "Then we'll go in at eight weeks to do vaccinations like your cats and dogs at home. "So we'll do microchip, vaccinations, health checks and we should be able to know the gender by that point as well." The cubs will be named once their sexes are known - like all animals born at the park this year, their names will begin with the letter N. Their father, 10-year-old Nakal, and their big sister, 18-month-old Lestari, can already be seen at the site. The park said there were estimated to be fewer than 4,000 tigers left in the wild due to habitat loss and illegal poaching. Only about 400 of them are Sumatran tigers. The ones at WMSP are part of a conversation programme run by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria. "The fact that we are part of this European breeding programme is fantastic and we get to contribute three new little members to it," said Ms Carter. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. First Sumatran tiger cub born at park in 50 years Safari park welcomes baby giraffe Endangered zebra Manilow born at safari park West Midlands Safari Park European Association of Zoos and Aquaria
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Wildlife park mourns 'strong and loveable' tiger
A zoo is mourning the death of a 21-year-old Sumatran tiger who made worldwide headlines. Shepreth Wildlife Park in Cambridgeshire said Ratna was "put to rest" on Tuesday after her health and mobility challenges could no longer "be managed compassionately". She arrived at the park in 2019, having been rehomed with her daughter, Kelabu, after a long and celebrated residency at Chessington in south-west London. In 2021, she made headlines as the first tiger to undergo corneal surgery, a groundbreaking procedure that saved her eye. Dr David Williams from the Queen's Veterinary School Hospital at the University of Cambridge, performed the surgery, which was a world first for a big cat. He said: "Ratna was an incredible patient. "Seeing her recover and flourish after her surgery was truly rewarding. She was a testament to the resilience and beauty of her species." While at the Shepreth, near Royston, Ratna played a pivotal role in the park's educational and conservation efforts. The wildlife park said with fewer than 600 Sumatran tigers left in the wild, it would continue its mission to raise awareness and support conservation efforts. Director of Shepreth Wildlife Park, Rebecca Willers, said: "We have cared for tigers for nearly a quarter of a century, but saying goodbye to them never gets easier. "Ratna had an incredibly strong and loveable character; she will not be forgotten. "Her lasting legacy will be all the tigers she helped save in the wild, thanks to the awareness and funds we have been able to raise as a result of caring for these beautiful creatures." Co-curator at and head of the carnivore section at the park, Dean Ward, said working with the tiger had been a "blessing". "She had a beautiful character, always ready with a greeting in the mornings and always a chuff to say goodnight at the end of the day," Mr Ward said. "To reach 21 was an achievement and we were so proud of her role as an ambassador through education of the population decline of tigers across Asia, as well as being a fantastic mum in the EEP [European Association of Zoos and Aquaria Ex-situ Programme] breeding programme. "I know she will be dearly missed by visitors and staff alike." Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Tiger's eye healing 'really well' after operation Tiger's eye saved in 'world first' operation How do you give eye drops to a tiger? Shepreth Wildlife Park
