Yorkshire Wildlife Park has announced it will be closing its doors for two days this week as temperatures soar to record highs to look after the welfare of the animals.
The Yorkshire zoo announced it will be closed today and tomorrow, July 18th & 19th for ‘to allow our Rangers to concentrate fully on caring for our animals. This is also in the interest of our team and visitor safety in these extraordinary circumstances’.
This has been announced as Yorkshire is set to enjoy temperatures of up to 38C for the next few days. It will keep Yorkshire Hive, Hex Hotel and Wilds Cafe Bistro, Uproar Playbran and shop open due to air-conditioning.
The zoo posted a statement to its Facebook account which read: “Yorkshire Wildlife Park will be closed on Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th July to allow our Rangers to concentrate fully on caring for our animals. This is also in the interest of our team and visitor safety in these extraordinary circumstances.
“In the Yorkshire Hive, the Hex Hotel, Wilds Cafe Bistro, Uproar Playbarn and the shops will remain open as they are air conditioned.
“If you do have tickets for the next few days please bear with us and we will be in touch to rearrange your visit.
The Yorkshire Wildlife Park will re-open on Wednesday 20th July as temperatures are expected to drop below 20C once more.
It was announced last week that the UK would see record high temperatures with the Met Office announcing a red alert for the first time ever in the UK.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Paul Gundersen said: “Exceptional, perhaps record-breaking temperatures are likely early next week, quite widely across the red warning area on Monday, and focussed a little more east and north on Tuesday.
“Currently there is a 50% chance we could see temperatures top 40C and 80% we will see a new maximum temperature reached.
“Nights are also likely to be exceptionally warm, especially in urban areas. This is likely to lead to widespread impacts on people and infrastructure. Therefore, it is important people plan for the heat and consider changing their routines. This level of heat can have adverse health effects.”
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Feature Image Credit: Yorkshire Wildlife Park
