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’.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
“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.
ADVERTISEMENT
“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.
Heaton Park’s historic tramway will be back up and running this summer after major funding secured
Emily Sergeant
Historic trams are set to run through Heaton Park once again from this summer thanks to some major new funding being secured.
For just over a year now, trams have been unable to run through Manchester‘s largest suburban park as the electrical substation which powers the Heritage Tramway needed an overhaul to bring it up to current safety standards – but now, some substantial funding has been secured to enable the essential restoration work to begin in the spring.
The trams operate on the only remaining section of the original tramway in Heaton Park, and offer locals and visitors alike a real glimpse into the past.
This piece of local history is operated by the volunteers of the Manchester Transport Museum Society (MTMS) on behalf of the Manchester Tramway Company Limited (MTCL) – a joint venture company between the Manchester Transport Museum Society and Manchester City Council.
This major investment into the existing infrastructure will ensure operation of the trams can continue for many years to come.
The £481,000 funding investment – which has been secured from Manchester City Council – should mean the tramway can restart in summer 2026, which just so happens to coincide with the 125th anniversary of Manchester’s first electric tramways in 1901, so it’s a big deal.
“Our support of the much-loved Heaton Park Tramway not only preserves an important piece of local heritage, but a piece of living history,” commented Councillor Lee-Ann Igbon, who is the Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods at Manchester City Council.
“The vintage trams hold a special place in the hearts of many people.”
Heaton Park’s historic tramway will be back up and running this summer after major funding was secured / Credit: David Dixon (via Geograph)
Geoff Senior, who is the Chairman of the Manchester Transport Museum Society, called the securing of funding ‘wonderful news’.
He added: “It represents a huge vote of confidence in the hard work and dedication [volunteers] have shown in the last 50 years of working to build, develop and run this vital piece of Manchester’s transport heritage, not only for the citizens of Manchester but those who travel to the park from wider afield.”
As mentioned, upgrade works to the Heaton Park Tramway will begin this spring – with the hopes trams will be back up and running again in the summer.
Featured Image – Adam McKendrick (via Wikimedia Commons)
Travel & Tourism
Transport Secretary commits to ‘transformational’ rail deal with Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
The Transport Secretary has signed a ‘transformational’ rail deal for Greater Manchester.
The Government has formally agreed to work with Greater Manchester and Mayor Andy Burnham on plans for a new railway connecting Liverpool and Manchester, via Warrington, as part of Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR).
The new Liverpool-Manchester line is said to underpin the Northern Growth Corridor – which is a bold strategy to drive growth from the Mersey to the Pennines, stretching into Yorkshire, Lancashire, North Wales, and beyond – with a key connection at Manchester Airport.
Local analysis has suggested that the new line could generate around £90 billion in additional revenue by 2040.
Also, as part of the major investment of up to £45 billion – which was announced a couple of weeks back, and is tipped to transform rail travel across the North – the Government has also said it will work with Greater Manchester partners to explore an underground option at Manchester Piccadilly station, recognising its potential as a ‘catalyst for growth’.
Local leaders say they are keen to demonstrate how an underground station could turn Piccadilly into a ‘Kings Cross of the North’.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander met with Mayor Andy Burnham last week to sign the formal agreement.
The agreement recognises the potential for an underground solution at Manchester Piccadilly, while also acknowledging the need for further ‘testing’ to make sure it will deliver value for money, and additionally sets out how the Government will work with Greater Manchester on the wider NPR scheme – which will be delivered in three stages, with the Liverpool-Manchester line to be built in the second phase.
The Transport Secretary has committed to a ‘transformational’ rail deal with Greater Manchester / Credit: TfGM (Supplied)
A formal review of the underground option at Manchester Piccadilly is to be lead by local leaders and senior civil servants.
“I’ve strengthened this Government’s clear and unwavering commitment to Northern Powerhouse Rail by signing an agreement with Mayor Burnham on the next steps for transforming connectivity in Greater Manchester,” explained Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander.
“With a new line between Manchester and Liverpool at the heart of our plans, alongside new stations at Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport, we will unlock new opportunities, more jobs and more housing for thousands of people.
“By providing early clarity on scope and phasing, we are giving Greater Manchester the certainty it needs to plan ahead and unlock the full economic and social benefits for its people.”
Daisy Jackson -
21st March 2024 
