Yorkshire Wildlife Park new arrivals adding to its unrivalled collection of rare and endangered species

Yorkshire Wildlife Park (YWP) is unveiling animals from six species and a new reserve as part of its global conservation, education and awareness mission.

They feature a trio of Lar Gibbons, who will be enjoying their new home in the freshly created Malaysian Singing Forest Gibbon Reserve, a Red Panda, Okapi calf, Cheetah cubs, an infant Titi monkey and a pair of Capybaras.

The three Lar Gibbons are led by venerable 50-year-old Gale, one of the oldest known of the species in the world, who is joined by 18-year-old Manis and Koopa, ten, who have settled into their brand-new reserve after moving from a zoo in Cumbria.

Lar Gibbons - also known as white-handed gibbons - are small apes native to the tropical rainforests of Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. They form strong family bonds and communicate through complex loud vocal duets, but all 20 species of gibbons face the risk of extinction due to deforestation, particularly from palm oil production, logging and the illegal wildlife trade.

“We are delighted to see the three new gibbons out and about,” said Dr Charlotte MacDonald, YWP’s Director of Animals.

“The reserve is named after their haunting, melodic calls, which often occur in the form of early morning duets.“Gale and Manis spend a lot of time together, grooming each other, whereas Koopa appears more independent. Gale is the sassy, confident one in contrast to reserved and relaxed Koopa.

”Gale has provided an invaluable genetic contribution to the European Endangered Species programme in the past and is easily spotted with her flowing blonde coat.“

Dr Charlotte added: “They have settled in well at the Park since arriving in April.”

The 175 acre park, which is the UK’s No. 1 walkthrough wildlife adventure, is also celebrating the arrival of Northern Cheetah cubs, an Okapi calf, infant Titi monkey, capybaras Chip and Dale, now in the Amazonas walkthrough, and Zemi the Red Panda, over the half term.

“Visitors will love seeing these beautiful and beguiling animals take their place alongside the unique collection of species,” said Cheryl Williams, Trustee of the Yorkshire WildLife Foundation, the charity based in the Park near Doncaster, which funded the gibbons’ new home.

She continued: “The new Singing Forest reserve represents everything we stand for: conservation, education, and meaningful action.

“Through the WildLife Foundation’s support, the Park is providing a home for these incredible animals while also raising awareness of the urgent challenges they face in the wild.

”They are part of a mesmerising walk-through experience where visitors come almost face to face with some of the world’s most beautiful and at-risk species, including Polar Bears, Black Rhinos, Giraffes and African Painted Dogs.”

Daily ranger talks and feeding sessions will occur throughout the half term week, offering unique opportunities to discover more about the animals.

The holiday week attractions also include live entertainment with the Victor and Friends show, Pirates of Pantaloon Bay and an action-packed Indiana Bones adventure. Visitors can also step into the world of Pangea - an immersive prehistoric dinosaur experience featuring more than 30 life-sized moving and roaring dinosaurs.

YWP is home to the luxurious Hex Wildlife Hotel and the Yorkshire Hive, a free-admission shopping, dining and entertainment destination featuring the immersive Evolution restaurant and the Wild Cafe Bistro with its stunning beer garden overlooking gibbons, bush dogs and tapirs enjoying their reserves.

The half term coincides with ‘Love your Zoo and Love Your Aquarium’ week, which is an annual event organised by BIAZA (the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums) in recognition of the outstanding work of its members, including YWP.It focuses on their breeding programmes for endangered species, world-leading scientific research and the inspirational education work connecting people and nature.