New Hyena Cubs born at Yorkshire Wildlife Park: The Full Story Behind Their Surprise Arrival

There’s exciting news coming out of Yorkshire Wildlife Park, and it’s the kind that arrives in twos. Imagine the scene during the February half-term: visitors are enjoying a day out, watching the animals, when suddenly they spot something incredible. First-time mother Noubia, a spotted hyena, appeared with a tiny cub in her mouth. But the real surprise was yet to come. Just when everyone thought the excitement was over, a second cub popped its head out of the den two days later. The park is now home to two brand new hyena cubs, and their arrival was a fantastic surprise for everyone, including the keepers.

A half-term surprise for visitors

For visitors at the award-winning park on Wednesday, 17th February 2026, it was a day they wouldn't forget. They were the very first to see one of the newborn cubs when their mother, Noubia, decided it was time for a brief introduction. She emerged into the reserve carrying one of her tiny offspring.

This was a massive moment, as the park’s carnivore team had suspected she might be pregnant, but hadn’t been able to confirm the birth. Then, just 48 hours later, a second little cub was spotted making its way out of the hyena den. It was a double surprise that brought a lot of joy to the park. It’s not every day you get to be the first to find such a well-kept secret about the park's animals. The birth of these cubs is a truly special event for everyone involved with this wonderful wildlife attraction in Yorkshire.

The secret world of hyena dens

You might wonder how two hyena cubs could be born without anyone knowing for sure. Well, it turns out that hyenas are expert architects. Even though they have a purpose-built house at the park, they much prefer to dig their own dens deep underground. It’s their natural instinct to find security in these self-made homes. YWP’s Carnivore Team Leader, Bex Brown, explained just how deep this instinct runs. “It was heartwarming to see Noubia and her cubs,” she said. “Despite having access to their own purpose-built house at the park, hyenas like to find security in underground dens. In the wild these are often abandoned burrows dug by other animals and can be between four and 20 metres long. In the wild they act as nurseries where cubs from different mothers gather.” This behaviour, while perfectly natural, makes things a bit tricky for the keepers. Bex continued, “But it makes things difficult for rangers to monitor, so whilst it was suspected that Noubia was pregnant, it was hard to find out if she had given birth without disturbing her. We were very excited when we got a call to say a visitor had seen a cub above ground, it was a massive relief for us."

Noubia the supermum

Being a first-time mother is a big deal for any species, but Noubia has taken to it like a natural. She’s already proven herself to be a fantastic mum. In a particularly touching moment, she was out in the reserve with one of the cubs when the weather suddenly took a turn for the worse. Sensing the rain and the cold, she did something that amazed the keepers. Bex Brown shared the story: “It was raining, it went cold and Noubia decided that she would pick up the cub and to our surprise brought it into the house. That's quite a big ask as hyenas, naturally in their mum mode, are quite secretive.” This single act showed how much she trusts her keepers and sees the house as a safe space for her new family. “To see the cub close up and that she’d chosen to bring it into the shelter of the house was fantastic. It’s about a month old and you could see that its little belly was full.” Director of Animals Charlotte MacDonald added, “These are Noubia’s first cubs, but it seems she is a natural mother. She is getting used to the cubs and is besotted with them. They are pretty independent and well developed when they are born with their eyes already open and they have teeth. It is great to know that Noubia knows that the house is a safe place for her and her cubs and that she has that trust in us. Though they still prefer their own den out in the reserve.”

A new family and why it matters

This new family didn’t happen by chance. Noubia came to the Yorkshire park from a zoo in Belgium and was introduced to the male hyena, Speedy, only a few months ago. The pair got on brilliantly from the start. Charlotte MacDonald said, “We are delighted that they were able to contribute to the breeding programme so quickly.” The birth of these two hyena cubs is more than just a cute story; it’s a significant milestone for the species. Spotted hyena populations are declining in the wild, so every cub born as part of a breeding programme is a victory for conservation. These clever animals are often misunderstood. They have a complex vocabulary with around 12 different vocalisations. Their famous "laughing" call isn't just for fun; it’s how they communicate excitement, nerves, or the discovery of food, and it can be heard from over five kilometres away. Visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of the new family can find them in the Experience Ethiopia section of the park.

More to find at the park

The new cubs aren’t the only new arrivals causing a stir. The park recently welcomed Neo, an Okapi calf. This gentle, endangered forest giraffe is a stunning sight with its zebra-like leg markings. Visitors can see him with his mother in their warm house through a viewing window. There's so much more to experience at the 175-acre park. The February half-term is always a popular time, with a full schedule of ranger talks, a daily carnivore feed, and both indoor and outdoor adventure playgrounds to keep everyone entertained. For those who love a bit of pre-history, Pangea offers an immersive dinosaur experience with over 30 life-sized, roaring dinosaurs. And when you need to refuel, The Hive, located at the park entrance, offers a fantastic range of shopping and dining options, from the relaxed Wild Café-Bistro to the themed restaurant, Evolution. The entire experience makes a trip to see these new wild animals a full day of fun for everyone.