West Midland Safari and Leisure Park WMSP sold to Looping Group

Apparently Zoo de la Fleche is one of theirs and a very nice zoo it is too.
Does the site have room for more animals outside the drive through?
 
Most of their animals are outside the drive through. I do think there’s some unused space, most of the perimeter is clear and even if WMSP doesn’t own as much as I think then I’d assume the could acquire some. There’s also a large area of rides and then the area of plastic animals which is apparently popular even if I think its naff.

Good to know they run a good zoo. Planet Sauvage has a nice range of species on ZTL but I don’t know if it’s actually any good.
 
Devi said:
Good to know they run a good zoo. Planet Sauvage has a nice range of species on ZTL but I don’t know if it’s actually any good.
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I’d argue that it’s probs slightly better than WMSP, very naturalistic, and a very good range of species indeed. The safari (like most) is centered around African ungulates and predators but most of the animals like impala, blesbok ect. are in large herds which is good to see, but also S. American, Asian and Australian drive throughs aswell, the latter being uncommon.
Also no rides..:p
 
I don't have an issue with Theme Parks and Zoo's working together, but what I personally don't like to see is Zoo's having what can only be described as funfair attractions and charging the earth for it.

Knowsley's (granted kids rides), WMSP (very poor fun fair with one awful coaster), Drayton Manor (Generally the standard of the theme park is poor) and even Flamingo Land (bar two decent coasters, awful rides).

None of our Zoo's with rides are anywhere near the standard of those in America. Look at Disney and Busch Gardens or even Sea World. Animal collections with state of the art rides. If our Zoo's had rides of this standard it would get more people through the doors and hopefully this link up for WMSP will see their poor funfair transformed into a good selection of quality rides.

For me only Chesisngton (which is more a theme park) has quality rides and a Zoo. I know years ago there was talk of Alton Towers having a Zoo, which imo would have been good but for me the zoos with rides are dire and hopefully this sale of WMSP could see them go down the American route like Busch Gardens or Sea World and have quality rides and top class animal attractions.
 
I personally don't like zoos and theme parks intermixed together. Two separated parks would better work out,as zoos should focus on the upkeep and conservation of animals. Noisy kids running past exhibits to focus on rides,screaming patrons on rattling rollercoasters when you just want to sit and enjoy the animals,is off putting. I'm not impressed by Chessington.

So lets hope WMSP turns out properly managed and laid out under their new owners?
 
Eric said:
Noisy kids running past exhibits to focus on rides,screaming patrons on rattling rollercoasters when you just want to sit and enjoy the animals,is off putting.
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WMSP is quite good in that regard, the rides are separated quite a bit from the animals.
 
WMSP is plenty good enough if you want a zoo/theme park. It isn't supposed to be all things to all people, it is a family attraction and well separated so that the rides are not intrusive to the animals and people who don't want to go on the rides don't have to pay regardless like some other places.
I don't thin anyone should be pointing at Sea World as an example of how an attraction with live a animals should be.
 
Devi said:
You'll not find much support for the Sea World hate here. One of the leading institutions for marine mammals both keeping and rescue/rehab.
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Agree, I was fortunate to shadow a keeper / marine keeper for a day at San Diego Sea World 2 years ago and it was an amazing day, probably one of the best experiences I've had. The knowledge from the keeper was 10 fold to what I normally found, and the specialist tasks they have from even the smallest to the largest animals there was totally thorough. Got to learn about protecting and conservation projects they work with and also see the Whale and Dolphin training from behind the scenes. The love for their animals was clear and I left there with a much different opinion of Sea World than I partially had because of negative media I had, had drummed down my throat in recent years.
 
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