They will be named in memory of two celebrated vets
Yorkshire Wildlife Park has announced the names of two Amur Leopard cubs. They are to be named in memory of two of the Park’s celebrated vets.
The leopard cubs were born at the park earlier this year in April. They are set to be called Lewis and Ali.
Dr Charlotte MacDonald, Director of Animals at YWP, said: “We are calling the male Lewis, after Dr. John Lewis from Wildlife Vets International, who was an expert on Amur Leopards, working on them in zoos around the world and in the wild. He was here for the launch of Leopard Heights in 2011 and also came and health checked our first cubs before they went off to Cheyenne Mountain and France. He unfortunately passed in 2020.
“The female is going to be called Ali after vet Alison Burns, who we lost last year. She had worked with us here at the park since its opening.”
Yorkshire Wildlife Park said that John and Alison both played a significant role in the battle to save the rare big cat species, giving health checks and mentoring other vets with their extensive knowledge. John contributed greatly to the wider conservation programme, whilst Alison worked closely with the leopards at YWP from their arrival, carrying out all the health checks and achieving excellent breeding success.
Debbie Porter, Animal Manager, said: “This is a lovely way of remembering Alison. She was a close friend and did a lot to contribute keeping the Amur Leopard species alive for generations to come. Both of their memories will live on in the cubs, who will hopefully contribute to future generations, bringing us closer to the day when we no longer need to call the Amur Leopard the ‘rarest big cat in the world’.”
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