Yorkshire Wildlife Park marks Polar Bear Week

Award winning Yorkshire Wildlife Park - home to the country’s only polar bear - is aiming to raise thousands of pounds this week for the conservation of the world’s largest carnivore.

Campaigning YWP is marking Polar Bear Week by collecting money for their Project Polar appeal after the Summer arrival of Victor.

Visitors are also being asked to sign a petition, organised by Polar Bears International, demanding action from world leaders on climate change to help preserve their habitat.

Victor, 15, came from Holland in August. He is enjoying his new life in YWP’s spectacular bear reserve thanks to the Project Polar appeal, which was set up to bring the species to Yorkshire as well as helping tackle the ongoing issues they face.

His purpose built centre is one of the world’s biggest spanning 10 acres and divided into four sections, featuring landscaped hills, valleys, lakes with water up to 8m deep, pools and waterfalls.

It was designed in consultation with world experts to be a centre for conservation and research as well as for bears with welfare needs. Two more bears are expected to arrive early next year and it is available to bears with welfare needs.

Director Cheryl Williams said:”We were delighted to welcome Victor and be able to make a contribution to polar bear conservation.

“Polar bears are an iconic species increasingly threatened in their native habitat and we need to fight their cause. Taking part in Polar Bear Week is another way we can help. We hope to raise money, but - almost as importantly - help raise awareness about the plight of the polar bear.”

YWP, which puts conservation at the heart of all its activities, offers visitors a magical walk through experience - letting them come almost face to face with some of the world’s most rare and beautiful species, including Amur Leopards, Tigers, Lions, Meerkats and many many more.

It has just welcomed 500,000 visitors in a single year for the first time and will be celebrating with a string of exciting Christmas events, including a three day Christmas Fair.

For more information www.yorkshirewildlifepark.com