The past 12 months have been filled with advances for rare and endangered species and enhanced opportunities for the public to connect with wildlife and enjoy its magical appeal.
The 175-acre park is now firmly established as a leading international force for conservation as well as a go-to destination for a wildlife visits and holidays with high-class facilities and entertainment for all the family.
But the animals are always the star attractions and this calendar showcases their beauty and the pressing need to ensure they survive.
5. May
The park’s family of sea lions had a splashing time on World Sea Lion Day and maybe helped put a spring in the step of TV presenter and wildlife park fan Helen Skelton who visited the park. The Point Lobos attraction, which features two lakes, is the largest filtrated sea lion facility in the world. Photo: Acquire Images
6. June
The birth of two critically endangered Cotton Top Tamarin babies came just in time for the park’s platinum jubilee party. The baby monkeys, who are one of the smallest primates in the world, are a critically endangered species and the park is a designated conservation hub to help save them from extinction. Photo: YWP
7. July
It was a coming of age for Yuma and Indie who made the move across the park to pastures new at Project Polar, the largest Polar Bear Centre outside Canada. Polar bears typically leave their mother’s protection as they grow and, at two-years-old, it was time for Yuma and Indie to leave their mum Flocke and start a new adventure in the all-male Polar 1 enclosure that features three interlocking reserves which include pools, 7.5 deep lake, caves, and rock covered terrain to mimic the Arctic Circle in the summer. Photo: YWP
8. August
The sunny summer brought record numbers of visitors while staff made sure the 450 animals, from 60 rare endangered species, chilled out with an ingenious set of treats ranging from fish blood ice pops to frozen carrots. Photo: YWP