Twin Spotted Hyena Cubs Delight Visitors at Yorkshire Wildlife Park
Yorkshire Wildlife Park has celebrated a remarkable conservation achievement with the arrival of two spotted hyena cubs, born to first-time mother Noubia. The award-winning park's half-term visitors were treated to an extraordinary sight when Noubia emerged in the reserve late on Wednesday, carrying a tiny cub in her mouth. The excitement doubled just two days later when a second cub was unexpectedly spotted venturing from the den.
A Super-Mum's Natural Instincts
Despite having access to a purpose-built house, the hyenas exhibit natural behaviours by seeking security in an underground den they dug themselves. Bex Brown, YWP's carnivore team leader, shared her joy: "It was heart-warming to see Noubia and her cubs. In the wild, hyenas use abandoned burrows as nurseries, sometimes stretching up to twenty metres long. While this made monitoring Noubia's pregnancy challenging, we were thrilled when a visitor reported seeing a cub above ground."
Initially assuming a single birth, as hyenas typically have one or two cubs, the team was elated by the surprise second cub. Noubia further demonstrated her maternal prowess by sensing deteriorating weather and moving one cub to the safety of the house—a rare behaviour for these secretive animals. Brown added: "To see the cub close-up, about a month old with a full belly, was fantastic. It shows Noubia trusts the house as a secure shelter."
Contributing to Species Protection
Director of animals, Charlotte MacDonald, highlighted the significance: "These are Noubia's first cubs, and she's a natural mother. The cubs are born well-developed, with open eyes and teeth. It's rewarding that Noubia recognises the house as safe, though they prefer their own den." Noubia, originally from a Belgian zoo, was introduced to male hyena Speedy only months ago, and their quick bonding has contributed rapidly to the breeding programme.
This birth is a milestone in protecting spotted hyenas, whose wild populations are declining. These intelligent animals possess a wide vocabulary of twelve vocalisations, including their famous "laugh," which signals excitement or nervousness and can be heard from over five kilometres away.
More New Arrivals and Park Attractions
Noubia and Speedy reside in Experience Ethiopia, where visitors can also observe gelada monkeys. The hyena cubs aren't the only newcomers; the park recently welcomed Neo, an okapi calf—an endangered forest giraffe with zebra-like leg markings—who stays warm with mother Ruby, viewable through a window.
YWP is experiencing a February half-term surge, offering diverse activities across its 175 acres. Highlights include ranger talks, daily carnivore feeds, and adventure playgrounds. Children can explore Pangea, an immersive prehistoric dinosaur experience featuring over thirty life-sized, roaring dinosaurs, from T-rex to velociraptors.
The Hive, at the park entrance, provides free-admission shopping, dining, and entertainment, including the Wild Café-Bistro and Evolution restaurant. Adjacent is the Hex Wildlife Hotel, with 104 rooms, some overlooking the park, enhancing the visitor experience.
