Latest news with #wildlifepark
BBC News
03-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Clean bill of health for inbred Yorkshire Wildlife Park lion cubs
Three lion cubs whose "shock" birth in captivity was the result of an incestuous mating between a mother and her son are all healthy, staff at a wildlife park have cubs, which are now nine weeks old, were born in April at Yorkshire Wildlife Park (YWP), near Doncaster, amid fears the inbreeding could cause genetic YWP staff said that following the cubs' two-month check up and vaccinations, they had a "clean bill of health".Bex Brown, head of carnivores at the wildlife park, said it was "such a delight to see a new generation of lions healthy and happy". The cubs' mother, Aysa, was rescued from war-torn Kyiv in March 2024 with her female cubs Emi and Santa, and male Teddi, who is now arrived at YWP after being moved 2,000 miles (3,219km) by road from a Polish holding was thought that Aysa became pregnant between two vasectomy procedures her son Teddi underwent towards the end of park has been criticised for the "against the odds" pregnancy, because inbreeding can lead to health defects and abnormalities. But a spokesperson said it was decided not to separate the lioness and her older cubs because they had spent nine months apart without sunlight or outside stimulation on their journey to Doncaster and there had been fears separating them again would have "compromised" Teddi. Staff at YWP said following the cubs' latest check-ups and vaccinations, their development was on track and they were hitting weight and growth milestones."We are so happy to share that the cubs are doing well," Ms Brown said."Their personalities are already coming through and the boys are definitely a bit more boisterous. "The female is a little more delicate and keener on coming over to see the keepers." Staff said the cubs needed "the best possible start at life" and, as the weather improved and the cubs grew, they were getting more time the new cubs would live alongside their older siblings, but for now could be seen on screen, a spokesperson Brown said: "We're working on gradually progressing them to the reserves, but first need to do some 'cub-proofing' to ensure they're safe."Hopefully, soon visitors will be able to see the cubs join their siblings and learn to socialise with the rest of the pride." Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
The Sun
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
TV host of classic 90s show has a very different career that's worlds away from her telly fame
CHANGING Rooms legend Anna Ryder Richardson swapped wallpaper samples for wild animals after leaving TV - and now runs her very own zoo. The telly favourite, once known for bold interior makeovers that divided the nation, has traded MDF and mood boards for meerkats and monkeys at her Welsh wildlife park. 6 6 She was the queen of the quick makeover - but these days Changing Rooms legend Anna Ryder Richardson is more at home with lemurs than living rooms. Anna shot to fame alongside Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen transforming Britain's blandest lounges, until the hit BBC show ended in 2004. She first found her flair for interiors while working in a kids' furniture shop, before landing a design slot on GMTV in 1996. It was there she rubbed shoulders with celeb chef Ainsley Harriott - who helped her bag her big break on Changing Rooms. After 10 series of telly makeovers and power tool drama, Anna swapped wallpaper for welly boots and headed Down Under for I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2007, where she became the sixth star voted out of the jungle. But the jungle wasn't the wildest thing Anna would take on - as just a year later, the star made headlines by snapping up her very own zoo. Swapping scatter cushions for safari-style chaos, Anna bought the crumbling Manor House Wildlife Park in rural Pembrokeshire in 2008 with her ex-husband - and set out to turn it into a top tourist hotspot. Her rollercoaster mission was even turned into telly gold in Chaos at the Zoo, which followed the highs and lows of juggling animals, renovations and rogue rhinos. Since taking over, Anna has poured her heart (and serious cash) into the place - building a £300k rhino house and welcoming in new residents including lions, zebras and parrots. Owning a zoo might sound like a dream - but for Anna, it turned into a nightmare behind the scenes. Clueless star Twink Caplan resurfaces with her quirky charm for the first time in 5 years as 90s movie gets reboot Running Manor Wildlife Park put huge pressure on her marriage, and by 2017, the strain proved too much. The star and her husband called it quits, later telling the Mail Online that the 'stresses and strains and expense of running our wildlife park have destroyed our marriage.' Things soon turned messy, with the split spiralling into a bitter legal battle over who would keep the zoo. Anna described the ordeal as a 'horrid limbo' as the once united animal lovers fought tooth and claw over the future of their wild empire. Hottest home trends for 2025 Renovations expert Andy Simms, from revealed the hottest interior design trends for this year. COLOUR DRENCHING Colour drenching involves using your colour across walls and ceilings to maximise the impact and create the illusion of a bigger space - doors, radiators, and even furniture won't escape the paint job if you want the full effect. Brown, terracotta, beige - once the preserve of the 70s, earthy colours have been slowly gaining popularity. Similarly, bold greens and blues are also making a return, with the intention of colour drenching rooms. STATEMENT WALLPAPER Wallpaper divides designers, with some loving it and others preferring painted walls. 2025 will see a resurgence of wallpaper, and the bolder the better. For small spaces, such as downstairs loos or studies, choose a bold print and ignore any concerns about making the space look smaller. For larger spaces, consider a stunning mural theme. BROKEN LIVING PLAN Open plan living has been popular for over a decade now, but while it hasn't quite had its day, many are returning to smaller, functional spaces - with a twist. 'Broken plan' is when a bigger space is cut into various parts using screens, archways, crittal-style windows and doors or textured glass. Speaking on the How To Be 60 podcast, Anna didn't hold back as she opened up about the fallout of her bitter split - and her unexpected new chapter. Chatting to Loose Women star Kaye Adams, the 61-year-old said: 'I am enjoying a bit of celibacy, to be honest... but we've dived straight in there, haven't we? I'm officially still married for another few weeks.' Reflecting on the turmoil of the past few years, she added: 'It's been probably the worst time, I think. It's actually been going on for such a long time. Have I wasted all that time? Being in this horrid limbo and control and not really living my life, even though I look like them.' But after a long and painful battle, October 2024 finally brought closure - and a new beginning - with Anna officially returning to the helm at Manor Wildlife Park, ready to roar once more. In a statement the former TV star said: 'I am very excited, it has been a long time coming, but I am finally back with my beloved animals, incredible team, and excited to greet our visitors into the park. I have huge plans for the future of Manor Wildlife Park.' 6 6 6
