Yorkshire Wildlife Park Welcomes New Rothschild Giraffe Setanta from Twycross Zoo

The Yorkshire Wildlife Park has exciting news for animal lovers! A new resident has arrived at the park—a 15-year-old Rothschild giraffe named Setanta. Setanta made the journey of 75 miles from Twycross Zoo in the East Midlands, where he spent 11 years of his life. His transport was quite extraordinary, as he was moved using a specially designed giraffe transporter, the only one of its kind in the world, operated by Crossborder.

Setanta's Arrival

Setanta's arrival was a moment of joy for both visitors and staff at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park. He travelled very well and was greeted by excited onlookers as he stepped out of the trailer and into his new home at the giraffe house. The staff had prepared fresh branches for him to munch on, and without hesitation, he went straight to his meal. Head of Hoofstock, Kyrie Birkett, had taken the time to visit Setanta at Twycross Zoo before his move, getting to know his personality. Birkett described him as “quite a calm and steady character” who is “very food orientated.”

Two giraffes standing in a lush green Yorkshire wildlife park

Giraffe against a cloudy sky at a wildlife park

Tall giraffe walking in front of wooden safari lodge

Giraffe walking in front of wooden safari lodge under cloudy sky

Giraffe standing in a grassy enclosure with trees and fence

Giraffe standing in outdoor zoo enclosure with wooden fencing

Giraffe standing in a Yorkshire wildlife park enclosure

Two giraffes walking in front of a wooden safari lodge

Giraffes in front of wooden safari lodge at Yorkshire Wildlife Park

Giraffe standing in front of tall pine trees at Yorkshire wildlife park

Two giraffes in a grassy enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park

Giraffe in indoor enclosure eating leaves from a branch

A New Home and Friends

Setanta is expected to become a popular attraction at the park. He will soon meet his new companions, Jambo and Jengo, as the staff hopes he settles in well. Birkett mentioned, “We have swapped notes with his keeper, who has looked after him for the past 10 years,” indicating that they are well-prepared for Setanta's transition to his new environment. This move also marks a sweet reunion for Dr Charlotte MacDonald, YWP’s animal director, who previously worked with Setanta at Twycross Zoo. She expressed her happiness about his arrival, saying, “It feels like a full circle moment getting to work with him again and I am really happy to see him.”

About Rothschild Giraffes

Setanta is a Rothschild giraffe, a subspecies native to Kenya and Uganda. Rothschild giraffes are quite unique, with their distinctive coat patterns that stop at the knees, giving them the appearance of wearing long white stockings. They are also the only giraffe subspecies to have five ossicones—these are the horn-like structures on their heads. In the wild, Rothschild giraffes are classified as endangered, with only about 1,100 remaining, compared to around 5,000 of their Reticulated cousins.

At the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, visitors can see both Rothschild and Reticulated giraffes. Dr MacDonald explained:

“You will find two subspecies of Giraffe at YWP: Reticulated and Rothschild also known as Nubian giraffe.”

Reticulated giraffes can be found in regions like Somalia and parts of Ethiopia and Kenya.

Future Adventures

Once Setanta becomes familiar with his new surroundings, he will be allowed to explore the outdoor savannah area, which is home to other animals like Grevy's zebra, Eland antelope, and Forest buffalo.

Dr MacDonald expressed excitement about Setanta’s future, saying:

“We’re excited for him to explore the outside savannah area in Into Africa with his neighbours.”

Conservation Efforts

The Yorkshire Wildlife Park is not just a fun place to see animals; it also plays a significant role in conservation efforts. The park is home to the Yorkshire Wildlife Foundation charity, which works to protect endangered species worldwide. Visitors can enjoy a unique walk-through experience, getting almost face-to-face with some of the planet’s most beautiful and at-risk animals, including Amur leopards, tigers, cheetahs, black rhinos, polar bears, and African painted dogs.

With Setanta now part of the Yorkshire Wildlife Park family, there is plenty for visitors to look forward to. The park continues to provide a safe haven for wildlife while educating the public about the importance of conservation. Setanta is sure to be a big hit with guests, both young and old, as they come to learn more about these magnificent creatures and the efforts being made to protect them.