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Title: Yorkshire Wildlife Park Passes The Test! Author: Yorkshire Wildlife Park  ID & Publication: 20111011031 ~ The-Villager.co.uk  Area: Branton  Subject: Environment

YORKSHIRE'S premier attraction, YORKSHIRE WILDLIFE PARK, is celebrating having been accredited to Europe's most elite wildlife protection body, following a gruelling inspection process - just two years since it opened.

Joining some of the most prestigious wildlife centres and zoos across Europe, YORKSHIRE WILDLIFE PARK has passed stringent assessment criteria to become a member of EAZA, the prestigious European network that works to save endangered species, proving itself once again as one of the country's premier wildlife centres.

Affiliated only with Europe's major zoos and wildlife parks, EAZA works to promote conservation and education through its membership and manages the Europe wide breeding programmes for endangered species.

Director of Doncaster's stunning wildlife park, Cheryl Williams, said:

‘We are delighted that we have achieved the high standard required to be a member of the EAZA (the European Association for Zoos and Aquaria) especially as Yorkshire Wildlife Park only opened in April 2009.

‘The membership will allow us to make the most of the space and environment that we have here at YWP to develop and take part in the vital work carried out in partnership with zoos around Europe for conservation’


With Conservation at the heart of what they do, Yorkshire Wildlife Park has been involved in tremendous work for endangered species since opening in 2009. Its awe-inspiring Land of the Tigers launched earlier this year, housing a pair of endangered Amur (Siberian) tigers in stunning surroundings, as part of the European breeding programme that aims to stop extinction of the species

The award-winning wildlife park is also home to South America Viva, an enclosure created to raise awareness of the plight of South America’s ailing rainforests, housing creatures whose native homes are in grave danger.

With months of Conservation work ahead, Yorkshire Wildlife Park is already involved with the European breeding programmes and studbooks for Amur Tiger (EEP), Amur Leopard (EEP), Painted Hunting Dog (EEP), Black and White Ruffed Lemur (ESB), Ring Tailed Lemur (ESB) Brown Lemur (ESB), Red Rover Hog (ESB), Sitatunga Antelope (ESB).

A nationwide campaign is currently underway to set a veterinary task force out to Zimbabwe to hold vital clinics to save the endangered Painted Dog.

The membership organisation for the major zoos and wildlife parks in Europe, EAZA has a strict assessment and accreditation system for candidate members. Yorkshire Wildlife Park, in Branton, Doncaster, underwent a two day inspection in June by three inspectors from Zoos around Europe, receiving a glowing report.

The membership was approved by the EAZA council at the Annual Conference in Montpellier last week.

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