Andy was great with the photo tours, and Rebecca was really helpful on the visits, such a shame they've left
Manzi the male lion has been separated from his brothers due to fighting. A statement from one of the keepers from Facebook announces that he may be going abroad.
Amur Leopard, Zeya is leaving for Hogle Zoo in Utah, USA tomorrow Good luck and farewell to Zeya our gorgeous Amur Leopard... WHF ASSISTING IN GLOBAL CONSERVATION PROJECT WITH WORLD’S MOST ENDANGERED BIG CAT - AS ZEYA HEADS TO UTAH'S HOGLE ZOO, USA Wildlife Heritage Foundation assisting in the global breeding program for the World’s most endangered big cat - the Amur Leopard, estimated less than 40-50 individuals left in the World in the wild... WHF’s first born female Amur Leopard, Zeya.. set to travel to Utah's Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City, USA … as part of the breeding program. She leaves tomorrow, Tuesday - 6th October. Zeya and her brother Manchurian were born in June 2012 to Xizi who came from Helsinki zoo in Finland in 2007 and Hogar who was from the Czech Republic and has been at WHF since 2011.. This is Xizi’s second litter of offspring, one of her first litter Anuy has already produced 2 female cubs in Hiroshima in Japan. At just over 3 years of age, it is the perfect time for Zeya to move on in the hope she will produce cubs within the breeding program. Headkeeper Clare said, “‘We are all very sad to see Zeya leave WHF, but it is brilliant to be contributing another young female to the breeding program of the World’s most endangered big cat species. She is a fantastic cat with a huge personality and plenty of character.. We are confident she will be a wonderful mum as is her own mother Xizi and it is a testament to the work we endeavour to do in being able to further help to supplement the captive Amur Leopard population” With only around 40-50 left in the wild and around 100 left in captivity, the Amur leopard is the rarest big cat on our planet. Even at this critical level, there is still hope. In conjunction John Lewis of Wildlife Vets International we are working on a breeding programme that will ultimately lead to reintroducing Amur leopards into the wild. The Amur leopard is probably the only big cat for which a reintroduction program using zoo stock is considered a necessary conservation action. The reintroduction of the Amur Leopard has now been given the go-ahead and will come into effect as of Spring 2016.
Female Sumatran Tiger, Riaka has passed away at the age of 20 "WHF has some sad news. Sadly Raika, our eldest cat passed away on Wednesday. Raika was 20 years old, a fantastic age for a tiger who remained in excellent health until almost the very end. In recent months her condition deteriorated so in consultation with both of WHF's vets it was decided it was in her best interest to put her to sleep. Raika moved to WHF with Lumpur as a retiring breeding pair of Sumatran tigers in September 2012. They retired to the peace and tranquility of WHF from London Zoo who also support the breeding programme for Sumatran tigers. When she first arrived on site Raika took great pleasure in watching the ducks and moorhens on the field surrounding her enclosure, an unusual sight for a lady from London. She was keen to interact with her keepers and especially to stalk the bunnies which strayed around site but always left plenty of time to bask under her heat lamp in the house. Raika was the perfect lady, She was always well groomed, with beautiful bright eyes and a very gentle nature. She kept her partner Lumpur well under the thumb but always with an air of grace and dignity. She will be missed by WHF's staff and guests alike but also her partner Lumpur. We will be keeping a close eye on Lumpur and spoiling him as he adjusts to life on his own. Our thoughts are also with our colleagues at ZSL London zoo who took such great care of her for the majority of her life."
Me and my girlfriend are going to be visiting this zoo on one of their open days, on the 22nd july. however we originally booked in for the 21st but they told us they cannot (or will not) change the dates for us to the next day. So if anyone on here would like to have 2 tickets to one of their open days on the 21st of july (cost us £25 the pair) pm me we'll sell you ours for cheaper just so it's not a complete loss.
Male White Lion Themba has passed away: It is with the deepest of regret that we announce the death of Themba, the head of our White Lion pride, ironically on World Lion Day. Themba was born at our sister park, Paradise Wildlife Park and came to The Big Cat Sanctuary in 2012, he had a wonderful nature and grew into a majestic male lion, siring 6 cubs with Joy and Sophia. Whilst the cause of death is yet to be determined, evidence is suggesting that he died of natural causes. Giles Clark, Director of Big Cats and Conservation commented, “We are all devastated by Themba’s unexpected passing, he will be sorely missed, but we should emphasise that African Lions are now vulnerable in the wild with their numbers rapidly declining due to human impact. The reality of the situation is that lions could be extinct within our lifetime without holistic conservation efforts to turn the situation around. Here at the Big Cat Sanctuary we are forming partnerships to help safeguard the future of lions in the wild.” Themba will be fondly remembered as one of our most loved ambassadors, representing his wild counterparts and the struggles they continue to face.
Amur Tiger, Ronja has passed away "Sad News.... It is with the deepest regret that we announce some very sad news at The Big Cat Sanctuary. Ronja, our eldest female Amur tiger has passed away, this was following Ronja showing signs of ill health. We were in consultation with our specialist vet, Dr John Lewis and tests were carried out in an attempt to get a diagnosis. However, her health deteriorated at an incredibly fast pace and in view of test results showing she had acute renal failure and her consequently frail physical condition - it was decided it was in her best interests to put her to sleep. Ronja arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary with a less than friendly attitude. Procedures to fix a broken leg while she was a cub in Germany had not made humans popular in Ronja's world, so for the early part of her life she would make her feelings toward humans known in the way only a fully grown Amur tiger can! Over time we watched as her confidence grew, her fears gradually faded and with the introduction to her breeding partner Pan, Ronja developed a much more confident and peaceful outlook on life. Four years ago she gave birth to three amazing daughters, at the same time contributing to the conservation breeding programme. She was the most perfect, attentive and caring mother we could have hoped for to her three little girls. Ronja could often be seen either sprawled on her back, taking up the entire straw bed or even lounging in the sun with a very cub like expression on her face, the tip of her tongue sticking out at passers-by. Ronja was a very impressive and stunningly beautiful tigress; she will be remembered with love and affection as being the most amazing and awesome lady who made us so very proud. She will be greatly missed."
Male Amur Tiger, Pan (former mate of Ronja mentioned above) has left for Zoo Eberswalde in Germany today: Statement from Facebook Today we bade a fond farewell to our male Amur tiger Pan as he embarks on a new chapter of his life at Eberswalde Zoo in Germany. The most handsome and muscular of tigers, Pan arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in 2011 having been born at Copenhagen Zoo before making his way to the UK as an EEP recommended breeding partner for Ronja who recently passed away. Pan was the perfect partner for Ronja and transformed her from being a rather feisty character to a more serene personality. It was not long before they became the proud parents of three amazing girls in the summer of 2012. Aleena & Siberia now live at our sister park Paradise Wildlife Park, and Amasia remains here with us at The Big Cat Sanctuary. Pan will be going to join a new lady friend with the possibility of fathering more cubs in the future, which is vital to ensuring the survival of the critically endangered Amur tiger. It is estimated approximately 450 individuals are living in the wilds of the Russian Far East. During his time here he has brightened the day of every passer-by with his huge presence and even bigger personality. He was usually seen relaxing on his platform, come rain or shine. He was extremely vocal – chatting away at every opportunity. His love of water even during the freezing cold months where he would immerse his entire body into the water breaking the ice on the surface was a true testament to that. We had some fun before his departure today - a video of Pan having a tug of war with the keepers and a few more adorable pics are below, enjoy! He never failed to bring smiles to our faces– as we are sure he will continue to do at Eberswalde Zoo. We wish him love, luck and happiness in his new home. Whilst we are sad to see him leave us, the future definitely looks peachy for our big boy! Way to go Pan!!
1 new male lion has arrived I believe its kassanga from woburn but im not 100% sure. He has gone in Manzis old enclosure as Manzi has now moved over to live with the white lion pride following the loss of Themba.
I just glanced at their FB page and see they are no longer calling themselves Wildlife Heritage Foundation. The new name, as far as I can tell, is The Big Cat Sanctuary. Can someone in UK confirm this and note when the change officially happened?
They were calling themselves WHF and The Big Cat Sanctuary for quite along time but changed their logo and title in February 2016, although in the new logo WHF is still present in the tigers stripes.
A female Black Jaguar cub has arrived and is currently being handreared. Maya was born on 11th July at Wingham but wasn't feeding and hence had to be pulled.
