What's New With the Amur Leopard Cubs at Yorkshire Wildlife Park?Pending article

There's some seriously exciting news coming out of Yorkshire Wildlife Park. Two absolutely tiny Amur leopard cubs have been born, which is a massive deal because the Amur leopard is the rarest big cat on the entire planet.

These little fluffballs, born back in May, are now getting brave and taking their first big steps into the wider world. It's a huge moment for them and an even bigger one for the future of their species. What's more, their big debut comes just in time for a fantastic summer event at the park, the Night Out at the Zoo, which sounds like a brilliant way for visitors to experience the park after hours. Seeing the new animals will be a highlight for many.

A peek at the new cubs

After spending their first couple of months snuggled up safely in their den with their mum, Kristen, the two Amur leopard cubs are finally venturing outside. But they haven't been let loose in the main reserve just yet. Instead, they're exploring a special junior training reserve. You can think of it as a sort of nursery playground for leopards, cleverly designed to help them build their confidence and practise their climbing skills on smaller, safer structures. It's a vital part of their development before they graduate to the main enclosure. The whole park is buzzing with excitement over these new arrivals.

Senior Carnivore Ranger, Kate Borrington, shared some details about their progress and personalities. "The leopard cubs have been sheltering in their den for the first 2 months. Now that they have received their vaccinations, they are able to explore outside," she said. "There are lots of small platforms and trees which they have been getting used to climbing, before they can be released into the main reserve at Leopard Heights where the platforms are a lot higher."

And just like people, they each have their own little character. "The female cub is very confident and sassy like her mother, Kristen," Kate revealed. "The male cub is a little more reserved, but both have settled in nicely and are enjoying exploring outside."

Luckily, mum Kristen is a pro. She's already raised one cub, Auckley, who was born in June 2023. Even so, having two playful cubs to look after at once is a brand new challenge. Kate added, "Kristen has previous experience being a mother, after welcoming Auckley in June 2023. She definitely has her work cut out with these two new playful cubs, but she is doing an excellent job. It is fascinating to watch them develop and we can't wait to see them out in the main reserve." The birth of these cubs is a monumental achievement for the global conservation and breeding programme for this critically endangered big cat.

Learning to climb at Leopard Heights

That junior reserve is just the first step on a big journey for the cubs. The main goal is to get them ready for life in the main enclosure, known as Leopard Heights. This place is seriously impressive. It's not just a big field with a fence; it's an award-winning, purpose-built habitat designed specifically for the breeding and eventual reintroduction of the Amur leopard. The reserve features enormous 10-metre climbing towers, which is why the cubs need to perfect their climbing skills first. Those smaller platforms in their training area are like stabilisers on a bike, helping them build the strength and balance needed to tackle the big stuff.

Once they've mastered the smaller obstacles, they'll be ready to take on the huge climbing towers of Leopard Heights. This incredible facility shows just how dedicated the park is to giving these magnificent animals the best possible environment. In fact, the reserve won a major award from BIAZA (the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums) back in 2013 for its amazing standards of animal welfare. It's all part of a very careful plan to prepare this new big cat generation for the future, with conservation at the forefront.

A magical Night Out at the Zoo

As the cubs get bigger and bolder, Yorkshire Wildlife Park is preparing for one of its most popular events of the year. On Saturday 16th August, the park will open its gates for a special Night Out at the Zoo. This event gives visitors a rare chance to see the park in a completely different way. As the sun sets and things cool down, many of the animals become much more active, offering a unique viewing experience.

But it's not just about the animals. The evening is packed with a full schedule of entertainment. Visitors can expect to see roaming performers, including giraffe and zebra stilt walkers and other costumed characters. There will also be a performance from the Bongo Warriors, a spectacular acrobatic group from Tanzania, as well as a dance and fire show. The whole park will have a festival atmosphere.

The entertainment is scheduled to run between 4pm and 8pm, with different acts appearing at various intervals throughout the evening. Park CEO, John Minion, is clearly excited about it. "Night Out at the Zoo is a fantastic opportunity for guests to explore and see the park in a completely different light and atmosphere," he said. "With the animals at their most active during the cooler, quieter hours and a full programme of entertainment, it is a memorable evening for all ages!" He also mentioned that the new cubs make this year's event even more special for visitors.

A park full of amazing animals

While the new Amur leopard cubs are definitely the centre of attention right now, Yorkshire Wildlife Park is home to an incredible range of other species. The park's primary mission is conservation, and it gives visitors the chance to come almost face-to-face with some of the world's most beautiful and rare animals. Besides the leopards, the park is home to majestic Amur Tigers, graceful giraffes, powerful Black Rhinos, and even Polar Bears. The walk-through design of the park makes every visit feel like a proper adventure.

The experience doesn't have to end when the day is over, either. The wider resort has The Hex Wildlife Hotel and The Yorkshire Hive, a shopping and dining village. The CEO, John Minion, highlighted the park's appeal during the summer. "It is always a popular event and will definitely be more exciting now we have new arrivals at the park," he commented. "Summer is our busiest period at the park. We are looking forward to welcoming back our family visitors who come every year as well as first time guests. There is something for all ages to enjoy - live music, evening entertainment and new animals to visit." It's clear that the park offers a full day of fun, education, and unforgettable animal encounters, all underpinned by a deep commitment to conservation.