News

23 July 2010

Summertime Baby Boom at Woburn Safari Park!

Two new born Iberian wolf cubs are safely snuggled up in their den at Woburn Safari Park and in just a matter of days they will be coming out to meet the world!

Wolf Cub

The Iberian wolf was introduced to Woburn Safari Park in 2009 and these cubs are the first to be bred in the Park.
The Iberian wolf is only found in the Iberian Peninsula where it is dependant largely upon scavenging from rural human settlements for survival and is as such particularly vulnerable to disease outbreaks. With as few as 50 animals held in captivity world-wide, it is hoped that larger facilities such as those available at Woburn may help solve the poor population growth in this internationally managed breeding programme and in doing so help safeguard the subspecies’ future.
The Safari Park is also delighted to announce the safe arrival of a new, endangered Przewalksi foal on the 9th July. The Przewalksi horse (pronounced `psheh –VAL-skee!) is the oldest type of wild horse in the world and was extinct in the wild until recently when reintroduced populations have been initiated in China, Mongolia and Kazakstan.

Although many zoos are now working on the conservation programme for these tough little horses, the species were originally saved from extinction by the 11th Duke of Bedford in the 1900’s, who brought some of the first horses to Woburn in 1901 and 1903. The world population of these horses descended from 31 horses that were in captivity in 1945, and most of these are from the 15 brought to England by the Duke of Bedford.

There are many other amazing conservation stories at Woburn Safari Park and many more animals for visitors to see.

This Summer, Woburn will also be hosting Elephant Walks with Damini and Chandrika, the Safari parks famous Asian elephants, while they take an afternoon stroll around the public leisure area, giving visitors the opportunity to see these magnificent creatures up close whilst they keep fit and graze amongst the Foot Safari areas.
The elephant walks will take place at approximately 3pm on the following dates: July 27th and 29th, August 2nd, 10th, 12th, 17th, 18th, 24th, 25th and 31st and September 1st, 7th, 8th, 14th and 15th. (Dates and times are subject to change)*

Visit http://www.woburn.co.uk and follow on Facebook and Twitter the progress of all our delightful new arrivals.