There are two adorable new arrivals at Chester Zoo, with one of the world’s hardest-to-see big cats now in residence for the first time.
The beloved northern attraction has just welcomed a pair of snow leopards for the first time in its 93-year history.
The highly threatened big cats have just moved into a huge new Himalayan habitat at the zoo, which has used more than 600 tonnes of scree and rocks to recreate mountainous terrain.
In the wild, snow leopards are one of nature’s most elusive animals, living in high-altitude areas where climate change is threatening to erode their natural habitat. They’re also under threat from poaching and retaliatory killings following cases of human-wildlife conflict.
Sightings of these majestic mammals are now so rare that they are nicknamed the ‘ghost of the mountains’.
But now a gorgeous pair of snow leopards have moved into Chester Zoo – male Yashin and female Nubra.
They have been carefully matched through a conservation breeding programme and it’s hoped that (now they’ve ‘hit if off’ straight away) they may go on to have cubs.
The zoo has today released the first images of the animals exploring their new home, ahead of it opening to the public on Monday 25 March.
Chester Zoo has welcomed a pair of snow leopards for the first time in its 93-year history. Credit: Chester Zoo
Mike Jordan, Director of Animals and Plants at the zoo, said: “The arrival of snow leopards is a huge milestone in our zoo’s long history and signifies our commitment to protecting another of the world’s most threatened big cat species.
“Yashin and Nubra are both just over 18 months old, so they’re incredibly playful, inquisitive and full of energy. They’re also both now at the age where they’d naturally start to leave their mother and become independent, which is why they’ve been paired up here at Chester Zoo as part of a European conservation breeding programme, which is working to safeguard the species from becoming extinct.
“Now that they’ve had some time to settle in and explore their new home here in Chester, the pair appear to have really hit it off and, in time, we’re hopeful that they’ll go on to have cubs together.
“This incredible new habitat not only offers visitors spectacular viewing opportunities and a fascinating glimpse into the harsh, yet beautiful world that snow leopards inhabit. It’ll also help conservationists here to learn more about the lives of these iconic cats, helping to further support global conservation efforts for the species.”
Mayukh Chatterjee, Regional Field Programme Manager for Asia at the zoo, added: “Not only have we created a fantastic new home for Yashin and Nubra here at Chester, we’re also joining forces with fellow conservation charity, the Snow Leopard Trust, to contribute to vital efforts to conserve snow leopards and safeguard communities that live alongside them, to foster coexistence.
Yashin and Nubra, a pair of snow leopards, have arrived at Chester Zoo. Chester Zoo has created a habitat that mimics their natural home in the HimalayasSnow leopards have arrived at Chester Zoo
“The keeping of goats, chickens, sheep and cows is a major source of income for local communities living in Kyrgyzstan. Snow leopards can sometimes wander into communities in search of prey and kill farmers’ livestock, which often results in retaliatory persecution of the big cats. By working alongside these communities, we hope to safely build up their resilience to snow leopards while also helping them generate income through a range of other sustainable livelihood initiatives which are also ‘snow leopard friendly’.
“We’ve seen huge success with this in other areas of the world with communities in Bolivia that live alongside Andean bears, and villagers in India that live in close proximity to Asian elephants, and we’re confident we can similarly improve the co-existence between people and these highly threatened cats.
“We’re hopeful that these efforts in Kyrgyzstan, in conjunction with our conservation breeding efforts here at the zoo, will play a positive role in creating a future where snow leopards not only survive, but go on to thrive.”
The new snow leopard habitat will open to the public from Monday 25 March. Entry is free, with normal zoo admission and tickets can be booked at chesterzoo.org.
You can watch the video of Yashin and Nubra in their new home below.
Manchester Mardi Gras lineup and stage times in full – the ultimate guide to Pride 2025’s new event
Danny Jones
This year’s Manchester Pride festival is nearly here, and with the organisers introducing an all-new addition to the celebrations in the form of Mardi Gras, 2025 is going to be unforgettable.
Promising to be bigger, better and bolder than ever, this new entire sub-section/spin-off/side-event (whatever you want to call it) is designed to up the party atmosphere even further over the long August bank holiday weekend.
For anyone as yet unaware, Manchester Pride 2025 will not just boast the usual parade, Gay Village Party and numerous other specific events in and around Canal Street, but an entirely new series; this year, Mardi Gras is taking over Depot Mayfield and Freight Island too, promising a whole host of shows.
So, without further ado, let’s get stuck into what’s on where and when, shall we?
Now, for starters, you can see the full lineup down below, including the likes of blockbuster headliner Nelly Furtado, who was announced as the final act for the closing night of Mardi Gras 2025 last week.
The are plenty of other big names playing Pride this year – take a look for yourselves.
It’s also worth noting that wristbands for Mardi Gras still grant you entry to all of this year’s Gay Village Party events, too.
Mardi Gras stage times for MCR Pride 2025
Next up are the stage times, and while we can certainly lay everything out for you, as with any festival, having to painstakingly check all of the clashes is up to you.
Anna Phylactic – 2:45-2:50pm N-Trance – 2:50-3:20pm Louis III – 3:30-4pm K-Klass – 4:10-7:10pm Louisa Johnson – 5-5:40pm Banksie – 5:20-5:35pm Tayce – 5:45-18:00 Big Freedia – 6:30-7pm Tulisa – 7:20-7:50pm Olly Alexander – 9:40-10:40pm Nelly Furtado – 11:30pm-12:30am
The former Little Mix star is headlines the night of Mardi Gras.Gok Wan sets always go off.Credit: Press Shots (supplied)
Freight Island
Sat, 23 August
Sun, 24 August
Bongo’s Bingo – 4-5pm Red Bull ‘Dance Your Style’ – 5:15-35pm Yshee Black – 5:35-5:50pm Shanika Sunrise – 5:55-6:10pm Bailey J Mills – 6:15-6:30pm Red Bull ‘Dance Your Style’ (second set) – 7-7:20pm Charity Shop Sue – 7:20-8:05pm Queenz: ‘Drag Me To The Disco’ – 8:15-9pm Dean McCullough’s Pop Machine – 9:15-10:15pm The Danny Beard Show – 11:33pm-12:28am
Bongo’s Bingo – 3:45-4:45pm Lucky Roy Singh – 5:20-5:25pm Tequila Thirst – 5:25-5:30pm Fortune – 5:35-5:40pm Minara el Waters – 5:40-5:45pm Lady Imelda – 5:45-5:55pm DJ – Club Zindagi – 6-6:30pm Singh/Raj/Fortune/Kaan/Awas – 6:30-6:35pm Sitara Malik – 6:35-6:40pm Awais – 6:40-6:45pm Saki Yew – 6:45-6:50pm Raj – 6:50-6:55pm Duniya Dhoom – 6:55-7pm Khaan – 7-7:05pm Buffer – 7:05-7:15pm Zahirah Zapanta – 7:15-7:20pm Amirck Channa – 7:20-7:25pm DJ – Club Zindagi (second set) – 7:25-7:55pm House of MCR ‘Pride Edition’ – 9pm-12:04am
The Garden Stage is often the quieter, more laid-back part of Freight Island, but there’ll still be plenty of entertainment to be found there this bank holiday…
That’s just about everything you need to know ahead of the inaugural edition of Mardi Gras as part of the annual Manchester Pride celebrations.
We hope you all have a wonderful time this weekend – look out for one another, be happy, unapologetically yourselves, and show this city in its best light like you every year.
And last but not least, you can find out everything else you need to know from our complete MCR Pride 2025 guide right here.
Featured Images — Press shots (supplied)/The Manc Group
Travel & Tourism
Full list of road closures set to be in place for Manchester Pride Parade 2025
Emily Sergeant
The full list of road closures set to be in place for the Manchester Pride Parade this weekend have been released.
Manchester Pride is a beloved celebration of LGBTQ+ life in Manchester, known for bringing thousands of people into city centre every August bank holiday weekend for four fun-filled, glitter-covered, disco-driven days – and 2025 is certainly no different.
Everywhere you look, the city’s streets are already becoming awash with colour and acceptance – with everyone welcome to come as they are.
Every year, the Festival lineup offers a wide range of activities for the LGBTQ+ community to join together and celebrate, as well as providing opportunities to advocate for LGBTQ+ equality, engage families and young people, and celebrate queer arts and culture.
This year’s Festival is set to kick-off this Friday 22 August and round out on bank holiday Monday (25 August).
Of course, for the celebrations to all take place as safely and seamlessly as possible, a number of road closures and restrictions will need to be put in place, and Manchester City Council has now published a list of everything you need to know.
It’s advised that anyone making their way into and around the city centre this weekend use other modes of transport, such as buses, trams, and trains.
But for those who need to drive, you’ll want to pay attention to this list before setting out on any journeys.
Manchester Pride Parade takes place this bank holiday weekend / Credit: The Manc Group | Manchester Pride (via Supplied)
Manchester Pride Parade 2025 – Road Closures
Saturday 23 August
6am to 7pm
Liverpool Road – from Water Street to Deansgate
Wollam Place – from 30m south of Liverpool Road to Liverpool Road
Potato Wharf – from Castlefield Hotel Entrance to Liverpool Road
Old Medlock Street
Lower Byrom Street – from 40m north of Liverpool Road to Liverpool Road
Duke Street – from Rice Street to Liverpool Road
Stone Street – from Liverpool Road to Bridgewater Street
Barton Street – from Worsley Street to Tonman Street
Southern Street – from 20m south of Liverpool Road to Liverpool Road
9:30am – 7pm
Deansgate – from Trafford Street to Peter Street
Quay Street – from Little Quays Street to Deansgate
Peter Street – from Deansgate to Oxford Street
Watson Street – from Windmill Street to Peter Street
Mount Street – from Windmill Street to Peter Street
Southmill Street – from Windmill Street to Peter Street
Lower Mosley Street – from Windmill Street to Oxford Street
Oxford Street – from Peter Street to Whitworth Street
Chepstow Street – from Great Bridgewater Street to Oxford Street
Portland Street – from Oxford Street to Abingdon Street
Princess Street – from Faulkner Street to Whitworth Street
Whitworth Street – from Beaver Street to Fairfield Street
Fairfield Street – from Whitworth Street to London Road
This year’s Festival is set to kick-off on Friday 23 August and round out on Monday 26 August.
A number of road closures will be in place to facilitate the Manchester Pride Parade this weekend / Credit: Manchester Pride (via Supplied)
The following closures only pertain to ‘one way’ or are revoked turns and bus gates:
One way
One Way Reversal Deansgate from Peter Street to John Dalton Street
Revoked turns
Right Turn Only – Atkinson Street – from Atkinson Street to Deansgate
Left Turn Only – Bootle Street – from Bootle Street to Deansgate
Left Turn Only – Jacksons Row – from Jacksons Row to Deansgate
Right Turn Only – Hardman Street – from Hardman Street to Deansgate
Left Turn Only – Queen Street – from Queen Street to Deansgate
Right Turn Only – Wood Street – from Wood Street to Deansgate
Revoked bus gate
Revocation of bus gate enforcement on Bridge Street Westbound – from Gartside Street to Blackfriars Street
Thousands will flock to the city for a celebration of love and acceptance / Credit: Manchester Pride (via Supplied)
There will also be a number of parking bay suspensions in and around the Parade route on Saturday 23 August, which have also been confirmed here:
6am – 6pm
Liverpool Road – from Water Street to Deansgate
Deansgate – from Liverpool Road to Peter Street
Peter Street – from Deansgate to Oxford Street
Oxford Street – from Peter Street to Portland Street
Portland Street – from Peter Street to Princess Street
Princess Street – from Portland Street to Whitworth Street
Whitworth Street – from Oxford Street to Fairfield Street
Fairfield Street – from Whitworth Street to London Road
Ebden Street – from Minshull Street to Back Acton Street
Back Acton Street – from Fairfield Street to Granby Row
Heading to Manchester Pride 2025 this weekend? Or making your way into the city centre and keen to find out everything happening this bank holiday weekend?
You can check everything you need to know in our full Manchester Pride Guide here.
And you can also discover everything else in Manchester’s social calendar over the next couple of days here, as we are a city bustling with activity.
Daisy Jackson -
21st March 2024 
