Yorkshire Wildlife Park has had a year marked by new arrivals of some of the world’s most endangered species.
The team at the cherished conservation park held their breath several times in 2023 as it prepared for its residents to give birth.
They included Giant Otters Alexandra and Orimar and their new female pup Fia, a new Cotton Top Tamarind Monkey born to Maurice and Consuela, and a newborn Dik-dik calf named Acorn.
And in an incredible effort, lioness Aysa and her three cubs who were rescued from an abandoned private zoo in Ukraine were brought safely to the park after staying in Poland.
These pictures provided by Yorkshire Wildlife Park recap the conservation project’s 2023 in review and shows off some of their new faces.
5. June - New Leopard cub
"Kristen the Amur Leopard became a proud mum to Auckley, the only cub born in Europe during 2023 and photographs of her adoring attention sent hope around the world. Only an estimated 75 Amur Leopards survive in the wild and the park has been an integral part of international efforts to save the species. The cub has been getting bolder in excursions from the family den at the acclaimed Leopard Heights, but mum Kristen is never far from its side." Photo: Yorkshire Wildlife Park
6. July - Sea Lion Pups
"July saw the birth of sea lion pups Coral and Stanley who quickly got into the splash of things in the nursery pool and had visitors captivated with their antics. The park is looking forward to seeing the new-born pups develop into strong swimmers, possibly reaching top speeds of 20 miles per hour in the water as they continue to develop healthily." Photo: Yorkshire Wildlife Park
7. August - Rare Northern Cheetahs
"The park welcomed Darcy and Brooke, rare Northern Cheetahs whose numbers have dropped alarmingly from loss of habitat and poaching. They are enjoying their new homes at the park’s Cheetah Territory, 10,000 square metres of carefully created landscaped grounds with space to run and roam. The park’s conservation programme is helping support global efforts to preserve the species." Photo: Yorkshire Wildlife Park
8. September - Lioness Aysa's and her three cubs
"The park moved into international rescue mode to save four lions and offer them a new home away from the conflict in Ukraine. Lioness Aysa, who had been abandoned in a private zoo in the east of Ukraine following the Russian invasion, was rescued and taken to a holding facility in Poland with her three cubs, Teddi, Emi and Santa. Plans are advancing to bring the lion family to Yorkshire Wildlife Park for a fresh and safe life in 2024." Photo: Yorkshire Wildlife Park