West Midland Safari and Leisure Park West Midland Safari Park 2024

Sad news this morning

At almost 20 years of age, we have sadly had to say our goodbyes to our white tiger, Ben.

For him to reach such a great age shows what excellent care he has received from our veterinary team and keepers. In 2022, a malignant melanoma was found on his right eyelid, which meant that this, along with his eye, were removed. Despite this, he made a fantastic recovery and was a well-known character with all our guests.

However, of late, we had noticed he had slowed down, and age-related health issues had finally caught up with him. He will be deeply missed by all who have cared for him over the years.
 
Pandaboi said:
It does. They had 2 brothers and a Sumatran Tiger in the Safari and 3? Sumatran in the lodges by the Hippos.
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That's correct

Now only Buster (Ben's brother) is the last white tiger in the whole safari park.

There's 1 Sumatran tiger in the safari next door to them (can't remember her name, but it's the older female I think).

And then there's the Sumatran tiger family in Tiger Tropics near the hippos, dad Nakal, mom Dourga and daughter Lastrai.

Still feel bad for everyone there for losing Ben, may he rest in peace.

jtrbmvcq said:
I always remember seeing a white tiger with a short tail at WMSP, is that Ben?
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I'm... not too sure if that was Ben or Scrapper who passed away a few years ago now (might be getting his name wrong). But yeah, there was one that had to have part of their tail amputated due to an abscess if I recall right?
 
SSLees said:
(can't remember her name, but it's the older female I think).
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her name is Hujan

SSLees said:
I'm... not too sure if that was Ben or Scrapper who passed away a few years ago now (might be getting his name wrong). But yeah, there was one that had to have part of their tail amputated due to an abscess if I recall right?
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I believe this was Tubs who died some time ago
 
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SSLees said:
That's correct

Now only Buster (Ben's brother) is the last white tiger in the whole safari park.

There's 1 Sumatran tiger in the safari next door to them (can't remember her name, but it's the older female I think).

And then there's the Sumatran tiger family in Tiger Tropics near the hippos, dad Nakal, mom Dourga and daughter Lastrai.

Still feel bad for everyone there for losing Ben, may he rest in peace.



I'm... not too sure if that was Ben or Scrapper who passed away a few years ago now (might be getting his name wrong). But yeah, there was one that had to have part of their tail amputated due to an abscess if I recall right?
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Personally, I think it is a good thing WMSP is slowly getting out of white tigers.
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
Personally, I think it is a good thing WMSP is slowly getting out of white tigers.
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Given the history of white tigers in general, I agree with you on that. Don't get me wrong, as someone who's been there yearly throughout their life. The white tigers there feel iconic everytime you go.

But with how many health problems white tigers have due to inbreeding and hybridisation, it just isn't right to keep breeding them when WMSP like other collections are focusing so much on conservation. But while they are still around, they serve as a lesson and reminder on how horribly we can ruin an animal through poor breeding.

Olek said:
i wonder what they could do with those spaces after the last white tiger and hujan die
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My hunch is probably knock it all down and redo it, because admittedly the tiger house there looks very outdated.

As for what could go there, either use it as another space for other tigers (like if they need to move one from Tiger Tropics for separation, presumably when Lastari gets old enough to leave Dourga)

Or just put a whole new species there. Given that the section the white/Hujan are in at the moment is another part of the African area now, they do stick out like a sore thumb when you literally have zebras and ostriches walking on the other side. So they can always put a African carnivore there like hyenas. Or even bring Cape Buffalo back for that area.

There's a lot they can do ultimately.
 
Fantastic news!

Honestly, WSMP does seem to be doing really well breeding their Grevy's Zebra over the years. Which is good news for the breeding program.

Are they a difficult species to breed usually?
 
SSLees said:
Honestly, WSMP does seem to be doing really well breeding their Grevy's Zebra over the years
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Might not be related but from.what I've heard (because I haven't been in over a year) a lot of the antelope/deer herds are low on numbers and all elderly
 
Olek said:
Might not be related but from.what I've heard (because I haven't been in over a year) a lot of the antelope/deer herds are low on numbers and all elderly
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I know that's true for their Ankole Cattle (think there's only 2 remaining).

But the deer I'm not to sure about being elderly only ones I'd say would be elderly would be the elands and waterbuck (only two of them I think) but correct me if I'm wrong.

There are still a fair few big herds though (Blackbucks and Lechwe), and I know they brought in 3 Belsbok last year, which I think they might have given birth a while back? If someone knows please tell me.
 
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