2025 - Year in Pictures
Join us as we celebrate 2025!
31 December 2025
January
2025 began with first birthday celebrations for Rocco the Black Rhino, one of the rarest mammals on Earth. The boisterous calf was treated to a boomer ball and a birthday cake in the park’s award-winning rhino reserve, ‘Into Africa!’ He is the first of his kind to be born in the resort’s history, symbolising a huge milestone in global conservation efforts.
February
The celebrations continued with the birth of a set of rare and critically endangered twin Cotton Top Tamarin Monkeys. The distinctive, white-crested monkeys were born to mum Consuela and dad Maurice.
March
March saw the arrival of Altai, the magnificent Amur Tiger. The young male travelled over 1135 miles from Norway to join YWP’s resident tigress Tschuna, who watched with interest whilst he settled into his new surroundings. There is hope that in time they can contribute to global conservation efforts to protect the endangered species.
April
This Spring’s baby boom kicked off with the birth of Lewis and Ali the Amur Leopard cubs, representing a remarkable step forward in the battle to save the most endangered big cat in the world from extinction. The duo was born to mother, Kristen and father, Drake as part of the strategic international breeding programme to help save Amur leopards.
May
Visitor-favourites Kendi and Tafari the cheetahs celebrated their first birthday. With cheetah populations rapidly dwindling, the playful cubs represent a significant success for their species conservation. Their birth inspired fundraising efforts for cheetah protection, which have continued into 2025.
June
In June, a Titi Monkey was born. The infant was born to first-time parents Jessie and Javari, who arrived at YWP in November 2024. The baby is the first primate to be born in the South American Amazonas walkthrough reserve.
July
Summer was off to a great start as a trio of lion cubs took their first steps into the reserve. Their mother, Aysa, came to the park in March 2024, rescued from war torn Ukraine. The cubs had received their vaccinations so were able explore outside and enjoy the sunshine. They were curious at first and grew in confidence as the rest of the pride watched on with interest.
August
In August, YWP welcomed two new endangered African Painted Dogs to the pack. Males Blondie and T’Challa, both 6 years old. They settled in well and enjoy playing together in their new home.
September
September marked the rescue of three lion cubs who had been left stranded in war torn Ukraine. The WildLife Foundation, the charity based at the park, raised the funds to cover the specialist transport costs for the 1,700 mile trip to bring the lions to safety. Oleg, Rafael and Shanti had spent months in a Rescue and Rehabilitation centre cowering in terror at the daily bombings and have since settled happily into their new home. This is the Park’s second Lion Rescue from the Ukraine in 2 years following on from the original Lion Rescue in 2010 from Romania.
October
The onset of autumn saw the arrival of a male Grevy’s zebra -the most endangered species of zebra. Gamba has joined female Katie in the Into Africa! reserve,. It is hoped that they will breed in the future to support international conservation efforts.
November
Winter saw the return of the annual Winter Illuminations, the magical winter lantern trail with a mythical theme for 2025. Guests have the opportunity to explore the park after dark and enjoy the walk-through experience, including a show-stopping array of attractions, fairground rides and plenty of selfie spots along the way.
December
Brodie the polar bear arrived in December from Scotland’s Highland Wildlife Park. He has not yet been introduced to his big brother Hamish but is settling well into Project Polar, which has been meticulously designed to replicate the Arctic tundra found in North Canada during the summer and is home to boys Nobby, Hamish, Luka, Sisu, Indiana and Yuma.