Yorkshire Wildlife Park reveals what its next new animals will be - and they're TV stars!

They are set to become the latest additions to Doncaster’s zoo – and television personalies too!
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Six sea lions are set to move from Whipsnade Zoo to the Yorkshire Wildlife Park as new residents as part of a new development at the site which will open in Spring 2021, which will give them a purpose built facility.

The six animals - male Dominic, 13, and females, Lara, 12, and Bailey,13, and two-year-old youngsters, Hanno, Oakley and Maui - feature in a two-part documentary that charts behind-the-scenes zoo life.

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They are due to move later this year and and they have been in training to get used to their transport crates for the cross-country move from.

“We are very excited to welcome the sea lions and have been in close contact with ZSL Whipsnade Zoo to make the journey as smooth and easy as possible,” said Dr Matt Hartley, Head of Animals at the park in Branton.

“It is a relatively short journey, but everyone is focused on making it comfortable for these charismatic animals who I’m sure will be a big hit with our visitors.

“The documentary is fascinating and shows clearly how much love keepers have for their animals and how wonderful the sea lions are.”

Sealions Lara and Bailey.Sealions Lara and Bailey.
Sealions Lara and Bailey.

“The sea lions will be a big hit on the documentary, and we will ensure they have a great, happy home here in Yorkshire.”

Transport arrangements from Bedfordshire to Yorkshire have been meticulously planned with a team of keepers and vets on hand throughout the journey as well as a careful plan to gradually introduce the sea lions to their spacious travel containers.

The new facility is part of an expansion which will double the size of the park from its current 150 acres of spacious animal reserves with over 450 animals of over 70 species. More new species and new visitor facilities will be announced over the coming months as part of the expansion which bosses say make YWP a ‘world class destination and provides a major boost to the local economy’.

London Zoo: An Extraordinary Year. is on ITV at 9pm on Thursday and Thursday, October 1.