Yeah the way we'd have to do it is travel down and stay for a few days and do both because of the distance, but from those lists there I'd vote for the regents park, as other than the Southern Tamandua (which at the minute I haven't got a clue what it is, but soon will) I'd love to see all of them! although the giraffes are a must as well, so if we couldn't stay over we'd no doubt have to make 2 trips instead haha
The Southern Tamandua is a species of anteater here is a photograph of the individual at London.
As for the hummingbirds, they are sometimes free-flying in the tropical bird house and sometimes held in a cage - not sure which is the case at present.
I have actually not visited West Mids at the present time, but I suspect that most people on here would likely rate Woburn higher due to the rarity in the UK of many of the species there. I'm sure someone who *has* visited both collections will notice this conversation sooner or later though
I'll field that question as TLDave hasn't visited. In one word BETTER! But that depends on what you're in to, both have the typical Safari Park species but Woburn has Somali Wild Ass, N.American black bear and a lot of endangered antelope. Also, their monkey drive-through is pretty special and houses drills, Barbary macaques and Patas monkeys.
WMSP has its plus points but is a lot smaller in size. Notable species that it holds that are atypical are dholes, Indian rhino, Cape buffalo and quite an extensive walking zone with hippo, a nocturnal house, reptile house and aquarium/invert collection.
As a local WMSP holds a special place in my heart but Woburn is by far more conservation driven and the least gimmicky of the UK safari parks.
I have actually not visited West Mids at the present time, but I suspect that most people on here would likely rate Woburn higher due to the rarity in the UK of many of the species there. I'm sure someone who *has* visited both collections will notice this conversation sooner or later though
I'll field that question as TLDave hasn't visited. In one word BETTER! But that depends on what you're in to, both have the typical Safari Park species but Woburn has Somali Wild Ass, N.American black bear and a lot of endangered antelope. Also, their monkey drive-through is pretty special and houses drills, Barbary macaques and Patas monkeys.
WMSP has its plus points but is a lot smaller in size. Notable species that it holds that are atypical are dholes, Indian rhino, Cape buffalo and quite an extensive walking zone with hippo, a nocturnal house, reptile house and aquarium/invert collection.
I forgot the sable, they weren't there on my last visit.
And there are another couple of "special" species at WMSP that we both overlooked; Congo buffalo (newly acquired), Philippine spotted deer and lowland anoa...
Yeah, I agree with that sentiment entirely. I've not visited the two Northern safari parks but out of the four I have visited (including Windsor) then Woburn wins hands down.
Thanks for the comparison help
I visited WMSP twice a few months ago and as we'd visited Knowsley earlier in the year i expected WMSP to be along the same lines but had two thoroughly enjoyable days there and enjoyed the variety of species available.
If we manage to get down to ZSL then we shall definitely visit Woburn as it does seem to have an impressive collection.
SmallestGiraffe;743301
If we manage to get down to ZSL then we shall definitely visit Woburn as it does seem to have an impressive collection.[/QUOTE said:
You really should go to Woburn. Apart from the Safari Park, the Deer Park, which is enormous, contains a wide selection (nine species?) of both British and Foreign deer species, most notably the large herd of several hundred Pere David's deer, which are all descendants of the small herd which saved the species from extinction.
Regarding the Woburn v. WMSP debate, I've been to both once each- as mentioned above they each contain some 'special' species along with the commoner Safari Park regulars. Woburn is perhaps more 'high quality' scenic-wise and in its layout generally- West Mids is a bit scruffy and tawdry IMO- they have ruined the landscape rather with ugly fencing, barriers and buildings. Have a look at some of the photos in the Gallery and you'll see what I mean. But still worth visiting for the range of animal species.
