Saturday September 12, 2009, 10:57 pm
I just received this bulletin tonight:

Subject: Yorkshire Wildlife Park’s Campaign to Save the Lions off to roaring successful start

Yorkshire Wildlife Park’s Campaign to Save the Lions off to roaring successful start

Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Branton, Doncaster has had an amazing response to a campaign launched just 2 weeks ago to save 14 lions from Oradea Zoo, Romania, where they face an uncertain future, living in inadequate facilities. This is believed to be the largest ever big cat rescue ever from one location to another. The Wildlife Heritage Foundation, the charity that is working with the Park on the project has received over 1,500 cheques, online donations and direct donations now totalling over £75,000 – half of the way to the campaign total after just two weeks!

Cheryl Williams, Director of Yorkshire Wildlife Park thanked everyone who has made a donation or contacted them. “ This has been an amazing response and the momentum is well and truly going now. We are touched by the letter from those that have made donations, and each one no matter how small or how large counts. We have had so many calls from schools and colleges, from companies and individuals who want to hold events, collections or just help us raise awareness that we have now put a fundraising information pack on our website. There are also people who have offered specialist help and materials towards the project, which all helps towards reaching the target. We want to thank those who are helping and ask everyone to keep spreading the word!’

The Park was approached several weeks ago by the organisation SOS Zoo who were looking rehome the lions on welfare grounds. The fundraising target is £150,000. The project includes the relocation of the lions, transportation, veterinary care ,building a lion house and creating reserves within 10 acres for the big cats. The Park has over 286 acres and has the space to do something to help. Yorkshire Wildlife Park has linked with big cat charity Wildlife Heritage Foundation on this projecty and set up a website http://www.facebook.com/l/0e801;www.lionrescue.co.uk for regular updates on the project and where people can donate directly to the project. Cheques may be sent to Wildlife Heritage Foundation (Save the Lions) at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Brockholes Lane, Branton, Doncaster DN3 3NH.

John Minion, Animal Director, visited the Park in July at the invitation of the zoo director Dhiana Ghender and was both shocked and moved by the experience and pledged to help the lions. “ They are such magnificent animals and despite the heat and the poor facilities, their spirit was still very evident. One lioness even came over to greet us. Some of them had health problems that veterinary care, good diet, exercise and appropriate housing will help greatly. There is a wide range of ages from 18 month old cubs to Johnny Senior, who is 27 years old – a whole generation of lions. The staff at Oradea really love their animals and desperately want the best for them – we really want to help them.”

Yorkshire Wildlife Park hopes that the target will be reached in time to bring the lions to the UK before the winter snows hit Romania which will make travel difficult. A fundraising campaign has been backed by a national newspaper, funds will be raised on site and the Park is also looking for corporate sponsors for the rescue.

The Park’s Chief Executive, Cheryl Williams said “ This is a huge project for the Park. We desperately want to help the lions and it is potentially the biggest big cat rescue from one location another ever. It will be very high profile for Yorkshire and especially Doncaster so we hope that people will really support this and help make a difference”.


Yorkshire Wildlife Park opened on 4th April 2009 and is on a 286 acre site of which the wildlife park is currently 45 acres. It has a variety of animals including Painted Hunting Dogs, the most endangered carnivore in Africa, three species of lemur in the woodland walkthrough Lemur Woods, and has recently received four Addax Antelope from Edinburgh Zoo which are part of the European breeding programme. There is more information on http://www.facebook.com/l/0e801;www.yorkshirewildlifepark.com . Yorkshire Wildlife Park is a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums.


Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Brockholes Lane, Branton, Doncaster,
South Yorkshire DN3 3 NH Tel. 01302 535057
info@yorkshirewildlifepark.co.uk
Reg. no. 6531168

Sunday September 13, 2009, 2:58 am
Thanks for the news!

Sunday September 13, 2009, 3:04 am
This is great news xx

Sunday September 13, 2009, 8:35 am
Great.. this is wonderful news and hope it continues

Sunday September 13, 2009, 3:41 pm
So glad this is doing so well. Pls make a donation if you can, however small.

Sunday September 13, 2009, 3:43 pm
Thanks everyone-I'll update when there is a change-

Sunday September 13, 2009, 4:01 pm
What great news!! Please keep us updated!
Thanks Rafael

Monday September 14, 2009, 1:52 am
Well done that Yorkshire Zoo! Lets hope the momentum continues and the big cats make before they get any worse or die. They will not know what to do in all that new space after their years of cage confinement! Hopefully they will be roaring with delight in the not too distant future!

Monday September 14, 2009, 3:54 am
Oh I am so glade this is making an impression on people,,,please keep moving forward.. For the kittys sake.

Tuesday September 15, 2009, 2:29 am
Well done, thanx Rafael

Tuesday September 15, 2009, 10:23 am
This is wonderful. I notice the Brits really love their animals and it shows. Thanks for update.

Tuesday September 15, 2009, 11:40 am
Tiburon lovely of you to say the Brits love their animals. Sadly we are no different from any other country I just saw on tye TV evening news how a woman in my county has been charged with running one of the largest dog fighting rings ever with links to terrorists (not cats) and gangs in N Ireland an ordinary house had it's garage converted to a fighting pit and 35 or so dogs were rescued. The bitch would not answer reporters questions as she flounced out of court all tarted up! Looking like a fugitive from a Hollywood casting couch! Perhaps we occasionally deserve a wee smidgeon of Kudos. But don't tell the Royal family they are probably blasting away at pheasants or deer or whatever the poor unfortunate critter is that can be shot at the moment! Although I'm not a great fan of zoos this would appear the best outcome for these big cats and we do have many zoos in the UK with huge areas for the animals to at least graze and see the sky and run and jump in a natural manner albeit eventually there is a high perimeter fence.

Tuesday September 15, 2009, 12:42 pm
Actually our royals are of German descent but the dropped the Saxe Coburg name in favour of Windsor in the early part of the 20th century when we having a bit of a ding dong with Kaiser Bill! Actually we are all a bit hybrid personally i've got a whole cocktail of genological content. I always like to say my ancestors came over with William the Conqueror, for the day! Actually much of my ancestry is rooted in Scotland, Wales, England, Europe and elsewhere, probably a few vicars with fast bikes as well!