Blair Drummond Safari & Adventure Park Blair Drummond Safari Park News

Confirmation of the new giraffes arrival

Say hello to Nóinín, our brand-new giraffe!

She arrived this morning all the way from Fota Wildlife Park in Ireland – by ferry and road, no less – and has already been introduced to the rest of the herd. We’re happy to report that everyone’s getting along brilliantly so far!

Sifa, our towering male giraffe, has taken quite a shine to her. He’s been following her around like a lovestruck giant. Nóinín is actually the smallest of our giraffes, so you’ll be able to spot her easily when you visit – just look for the little one with the big fan club!

Rothschild’s giraffes are critically endangered, with fewer than 2,000 left in the wild. Nóinín’s arrival is part of the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP), and we’re hopeful that she and Sifa will play an important role in the future of this beautiful species.

Pop by and see her soon – and keep an eye on our socials for updates as she settles in!
 
Confirmation of the new giraffes arrival

Say hello to Nóinín, our brand-new giraffe!

She arrived this morning all the way from Fota Wildlife Park in Ireland – by ferry and road, no less – and has already been introduced to the rest of the herd. We’re happy to report that everyone’s getting along brilliantly so far!

Sifa, our towering male giraffe, has taken quite a shine to her. He’s been following her around like a lovestruck giant. Nóinín is actually the smallest of our giraffes, so you’ll be able to spot her easily when you visit – just look for the little one with the big fan club!

Rothschild’s giraffes are critically endangered, with fewer than 2,000 left in the wild. Nóinín’s arrival is part of the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP), and we’re hopeful that she and Sifa will play an important role in the future of this beautiful species.

Pop by and see her soon – and keep an eye on our socials for updates as she settles in!
Which other - hybrid - giraffe are still present apart from the 1.1 Rothschildt's/Nubian pair (discussed above)?
 
0:3 hybrids

Harriet born 2005
Ruby born 2008
Bella born 2009
Thanks for updating. Given that all are in the 17-20 age range, the hybrid females are in their twilight years.

I look forward to the time when Blair Drummond has a mature breeding group of Rothschildt's / Nubian giraffe.
 
Other First Half 2025 News Not Mentioned:

On February 2nd, the zoo announced that (1.0.1) common eland named Eddy and Egg were born in 2024, which are on exhibit.

Blair Drummond Safari Park

On April 16th, the zoo announced they acquired a (1.0) black-and-white ruffed lemur named Páraic from Fota Wildlife Park in Ireland, which is on exhibit.

Welcome Páraic - our new lemur! - Blair Drummond Safari Park

On April 20th, the zoo announced that a (1.0) Barbary macaque named Issac was born on April 9th, which is on exhibit.

96K views · 924 reactions | Big news from the macaque troop! We’re so excited to introduce the newest member of our monkey family! Born on the 9th of April, this tiny boy has been tucked up with mum Marie Teresa for his first couple of weeks - getting plenty of cuddles and attention . Now, for the first time, we’re sharing him with you - and revealing the name his clever mum picked out herself! To mark the special occasion, our keepers created two colourful papier mâché Easter eggs ✨, each hiding a name (and some tasty treats). Marie Teresa got to do the honours, and after a curious sniff , a cheeky nibble and a bit of egg-smashing magic … she made her choice. Say hello to baby Issac! He’s still keeping close to mum for now, but it won’t be long before he’s monkeying around with the other youngsters . Keep your eyes peeled on your next visit - you won’t want to miss him! . . . Pets' Farm Keeper Amy Pets' Farm Keeper Priya | Blair Drummond Safari Park


On May 9th, the zoo announced 2 Humboldt penguins hatched on April 25th and April 29th respectively. On July 2nd, the zoo announced they sexed the penguins as (1.3) and named them Mumble, PJ, Pickle, and Sprat respectively.

Fluffy arrivals in our penguin colony - Blair Drummond Safari Park
Blair Drummond Safari Park

On May 19th, the zoo announced that a (0.1) Barbary macaque named Iona was born on April 20th, which is on exhibit.

20K views · 306 reactions | We’ve had another spring arrival! A sweet baby girl was born to mum Wuwu on Easter Sunday, joining Isaac as our second Barbary macaque baby of the season. This week, her name was revealed in a fun moment with our keepers. Wuwu was given a choice between two snack-filled boxes - one marked with a picture of Iona Abbey and the other with Islay whisky. She made her pick, and now we’re delighted to introduce… Iona! She’s still spending most of her time snuggled up with mum, but visitors might spot her catching a ride on mum’s back in the macaque reserve. | Blair Drummond Safari Park

On July 11th, the zoo opened a new viewing structure overlooking the Amur tiger exhibit to the public.

26K views · 366 reactions | NEW TIGER VIEWING PLATFORM – NOW OPEN! We’re thrilled to unveil our brand-new raised tiger viewing platform – and it’s a beauty! With its stunning thatched roof, this new undercover space offers extended views of our tiger habitat. It's the perfect hideout for patient spotters and keen photographers alike. We’ve added lots more glass panels too, giving children and wheelchair users the chance to enjoy uninterrupted views of our incredible big cats. Swing by and check it out – rain or shine, the tigers are ready for their close-up! (Maybe - if they aren't hiding... ) . . . Head of Marketing Pam | Blair Drummond Safari Park

* Worth mentioning that the zoo acquired (1.2) Scottish highland cattle named Clyde, Maggie, and Mabel respectively (Clyde and Maggie are son/mother) in December 2024.
 
The Lions could be getting an upgraded enclosure. New plans submitted to Stirling Council seek to demolish existing facility and build a new Lions enclosure in close proximity to the old one on vacant land. There would be a covered area for viewing with windows looking into three indoor pens and an outside isolation area. A new outside boundary fence would also be installed.
This seems to have been taking place today when I visited. They look to be about halfway there with the construction of a new building, andIMG_8439.jpeg IMG_8441.jpeg IMG_8440.jpeg there are proper plan signs about it on the barriers around it.

There were also prairie dogs in what was once the ASCO enclosure back when I visited in 2020 (don’t think their arrival had been announced on here) and there was also part of Lemurland closed off, with everyone having to head back the way they came through the B+W ruffed lemur part of the walkthrough. There also does not seem to be any of the domestic goats left in that part as well.

Only a couple of other things to note:

- There doesn’t seem to be a male lion in the park. Did he die a while ago?

- The new tiger viewing area is pretty good, though there was still no tiger spotted.

- A couple of Barbary macaques managed to climb up one of the oak trees which did have attempts to stop them from climbing on it through plastic coverings, but they still got up and were shaking it a good bit, which was quite amusing.

- What wasn’t so amusing was that a macaque climbed on top of our car and picked off part of the roof rack on it and left scratches. I guess you don’t get refunds for damages they do though.IMG_8419.jpeg
 

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*There doesn’t seem to be a male lion in the park. Did he die a while ago?*

Zulu died in March 2021 from Leukaemia, just found this on their website.

Don't know what happened to the 2 males that were born in 2016(Reid & Murray) they're no longer in the pride but no idea if they transferred abroad or have died.

However they never announced the death of Teekay(mother of libby & Karis)
 
You probably saw Murray! He's on some birth control right now which results in the loss of his mane (that will grow back if he ever comes off of it), but he's noticeably bigger and flabbier than the females, but not quite the size of the Five Sisters' lions since they were irreversibly castrated from an early age
 
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