About us
Built on a former riding school and small farm attraction, Yorkshire Wildlife Park has come along way since opening in April 2009. Now a dynamic centre for conservation and welfare, the park has some of the world's most endangered animals that call it home!
Our Mission
To create a dynamic, interactive experience and regional centre of excellence for the conservation of biodiversity globally and locally that is sustainable both for the environment and business. To promote a wider understanding of the natural world and inspire generations to support and protect the world around us.
About us
Yorkshire Wildlife Park was officially opened by Justin Fletcher, MBE on 4 April 2009.
In February 2010, the park rescued 13 lions from living in very poor conditions in a dilapidated Romanian zoo and released them into the newly built 10-acre Lion Country enclosure.
In 2011, Land of the Tigers was opened, with pools and waterfall built next to a vast wetland reserve.
In March 2012, Leopard Heights opened as one of the largest leopard reserves in the world.
July 2014 saw the opening of Project Polar, with the first bear being 500 kg male Victor; a second arrived in March 2015 called Pixel; Victor's grandson.
In 2018 the park rescued four Brown Bears from a Japanese museum. Riku and his brother Kai, along with Amu and Hanako, were rescued from a tourist attraction on the island of Hokkaido. Yorkshire Wildlife Park took them from tiny cages, concrete floors and school dinner scraps to a huge grassy reserve, lakes, toys, hay beds and shelters.
In 2018, Yorkshire Wildlife Park also saw planning permission granted for the development of a new 150 acre site at YWP. 3 years later in 2021 the development was complete and opened to the public, bringing more ground-breaking animal reserves and new species to the Park. The brand new Sea Lion reserve opened featuring two naturalistic lakes, with one holding an incredible 1.9 million litres of filtered water making it the largest purpose built habitat of its kind in the world!
In 2021 the brand new Yorkshire Hive also opened to the public, introducing themed restaurant 'Evolution' and indoor play area 'UpRoar'. As well as new retail outlets, gift shop and entrance gateway, enhancing visitor facilities and providing a huge boost for the local economy.
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