Knowsley Safari Park Knowsley Safari Park 2021

[Keelan]

I visited here again yesterday and had a very good day.
Safari:
I saw every animal which there is to see on the safari drive which is brilliant because there are usually a few antelope species which are a no show. The yak babies are very active and running around. Still unsure why the Kiang are in the top paddock. Today I only saw 4 rhinos considering they have 7. They came quite close to the car as well as did many other species like wildebeest, camels, bison etc. I was suprised at how many people had their windows down in the lion enclosure.
Foot safari: I didn't go to see the birds today as I didn't have much time, the tiger came right up to the glass in the first enclosure. The only no show on the foot safari was the Capybara. I still feel the sea lions should have a bigger enclosure. I will try to upload some pictures of the day

 

[Keelan]

 

[Keelan]

 

[Embu]

Fantastic shots especially of Froja (elk) and the tigers.

Completely agree regarding cars with windows down. Complete stupidity that will try to be pinned on Knowsley if the worst was to happen in the lion enclosure.

 

[Pootle]

Had another quick lap of the Safari on Thursday am. If an animal could position itself further from the road, they did just that for the first half! Even the forest buffalos were hiding behind a container. The first things to see quite close were Rhinos (only 4 out) and a couple of Waterbucks. I did however see a Bongo peeing out of a doorway.

Blackbuck recount – well it was really difficult as they were so split up into small groups and lying in quite tall grasses amongst axis deer it was really tough to count. I did see the male and I still think it is just one mature male at the moment.

The exciting part of this lap was certainly the Somali wild asses! They were galloping around all 4 at first kicking up dust, then one male was really trying to mate with at least on female. Running about, she was really kicking him in the shoulders and neck area, looked rough!. He was the biting her mane, again aggressive!. Really exciting stuff to see. I the got the impression the female was a bit brighter than the males, as she ran in the ‘house’, ran out of another door and this seemed to confuse him for a few seconds, quite funny to watch really. He tried to cover her later, but she was not letting him, maybe soon there could be births which would be really cool.

 

[Embu]

Not Knowlsey news exactly but lioness Sky (dob 2011), who moved to France in 2020, has produced 0:0:2 cubs. Interestingly they only mention Sky and her sisters Poppy and Willow no mention of mum Masai.

Information came via Parcs Zoologiques Lumigny social media.

 

[Pootle]

Not Knowlsey news exactly but lioness Sky (dob 2011), who moved to France in 2020, has produced 0:0:2 cubs.

Wow, neither male or female - Good news joking aside.

Last Friday I did a Pootle 'quick lap' of the safari drive and started thinking about the lions a bit......

As it stands now the lions are rather boring to be blunt (compared to a breeding pride), upon leaving the lion enclosure, you see a couple of empty lion holding spaces/dormant exhibits, then next, the now empty old tiger enclosure, all pretty much just grass growing inside big fences.....

If !!!!! they decided to perhaps move the current pride who are all siblings to these areas, they then have space to start a new breeding pride........
Maybe Sam the male could be used or maybe bring in few new faces (and manes) to get something going....just a thought I had whilst on a quick lap...

 

[catfan]

Wow, neither male or female - Good news joking aside.

Last Friday I did a Pootle 'quick lap' of the safari drive and started thinking about the lions a bit......

As it stands now the lions are rather boring to be blunt (compared to a breeding pride), upon leaving the lion enclosure, you see a couple of empty lion holding spaces/dormant exhibits, then next, the now empty old tiger enclosure, all pretty much just grass growing inside big fences.....

If !!!!! they decided to perhaps move the current pride who are all siblings to these areas, they then have space to start a new breeding pride........
Maybe Sam the male could be used or maybe bring in few new faces (and manes) to get something going....just a thought I had whilst on a quick lap...

Isn't the second female tiger still in that enclosure? I haven't been for around a month but she was in there when I last visited.

 

[Embu]

Haha @Pootle yes there appears to be quite a bit of space in the carnivore section but alas I think it could be a while before anything or if anything is brought in to fill the space.

I'm still holding out for Cheetah and/or African Wild dog but my hopes are dwindling sadly. WMSP are much better species wise.

@catfan yes there was a tiger in the drive through on my last visit about 4 weeks ago

 

[Pootle]

Isn't the second female tiger still in that enclosure? I haven't been for around a month but she was in there when I last visited.

It might be, but the grass is so long you could hide a horse within that enclosure. Regardless of where the tiger is, the point was to say that the whole area is in need of a shake up of ideas and a bit of tlc. The new tiger exhibit in walk around area is fantastic. However, again, nothing spent on the drive around area.

I totally get it in that attracting more people to the walk around section means more money spent on food, rides, gifts etc, but over time the spending here has in no way been matched on the drive around safari.
A few inexpensive tasks such as general maintenance, gardening, pot hole filling etc, would be a start.

Regarding the lions, for those people who have only been visiting in the last 5 or 6 years.... About 10-15 years ago they had a pride that reached at times up to 20 lions. A dominant male (Kenya) and of course his females and cubs. mostly they did what all lions do best and snooze. However, if you got lucky, then the lion enclosure was without doubt the best place to be, on these days, the keepers didn't have to tell people to put their windows up I can assure you! They would climb trees, occasionally use a car to help get up a tree if it was positioned right, weave in and out of the cars and play around cars. Some of them took a shine to wheel trims. When Kenya was vocal the noise would vibrate through the car.
This is why I mentioned the idea of a return to a breeding pride in my post above.

 

[Embu]

@Pootle completely agree. The "foot safari" is obviously a money spinner and when I went last month it is definitely more attractive and inviting. However.....

Knowsley seem to have "forgotten" the drive through but let's face it the title is in the name "safari park" they do need to add some new species.
At least 5 mammals have disappeared from the drive through and park since 2015 and I can't actually name anything that is new.
Maybe a new management team is needed?
How much does it "cost" to bring in new species for the drive through?

 

[Pootle]

@Pootle completely agree. The "foot safari" is obviously a money spinner and when I went last month it is definitely more attractive and inviting. However.....

Knowsley seem to have "forgotten" the drive through but let's face it the title is in the name "safari park" they do need to add some new species.
At least 5 mammals have disappeared from the drive through and park since 2015 and I can't actually name anything that is new.
Maybe a new management team is needed?
How much does it "cost" to bring in new species for the drive through?

I can't disagree with anything you have written!! I can only add that over 10 years ago there where far more animals in numbers and still more diversity. Rhino numbers have been stable over time, there used to be at least 40 plus Eland, 5 or 6 ostrich with a brilliant herd of circa 50 American Bison.
Costs of bringing in new species can vary upon supply & demand, surplus at one collection is very welcome at another etc, other times costs can be high and lots of planning involved ie moving giraffes around the UK with low bridges.
I don't think new management is needed, just some funding on the safari drive around areas in general. In the last 10 years I think only the building of the new Eland house has happened.

 

[BillBoy80]

It seems that Miron the male tiger is now a permanent resident, which is great news. He’s a hugely impressive and charismatic tiger and is relatively young (born 2014). (Hugely important for the future of Knowsley’s breeding programme. The plan appears to be to keep one tiger on the drive (currently that is Bira) and the other two down in the main enclosure (rotated between the two paddocks). The very first section of the carnivore enclosure on the left hand side after you exit the Lion drive through is still used by the Lions, the rest is connected together and occupied by Bira (one of the female tigers). The Wolves are currently still housed in the enclosures on the right hand side whilst work takes place on their enclosure on the foot safari. I therefore don’t anticipate any new carnivore species arriving in the near future.

There are currently only 4 Rhino’s out on the drive but I’m assured that there are still 7 at Knowsley. 2 males/5 females. It would be great if they could add to the two Grevy’s Zebra males they acquired this year.

A few images taken over the last week.

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

Knowsley definitely needs to spruce up its safari drive thru. New and more imaginative species assemblage and better theming on the various areas along the drive through.

 

[BillBoy80]

Knowsley definitely needs to spruce up its safari drive thru. New and more imaginative species assemblage and better theming on the various areas along the drive through.

I question how vital theming really is to the experience on the drive through. The Lions and Baboon enclosures are in no way themed yet provide some of the best experiences you’ll find at any European safari park. Knowsley is very much still a traditional country estate park, rather than a theme park owned operation like West Mids. Both however have their place.

The complaints about the lack of density of animals again is something I’d challenge as being a negative. I welcome the fact that the animals have huge paddocks and can choose to avoid the public.

I’m personally glad that Knowsley don’t allow the public to feed the animals as it’s important that to me that we see these animals as we would in the wild.

Of course I’d like to see more new and niche species arrive but I honestly don’t think that’s essential to the majority of the visitors. The majority of the public however want to see Lions, Tigers, Giraffes, Rhinos and Elephants (the lack of which seems to be the biggest disappointment).

Knowsley is less consistent in experience than some other parks as a result of being so big. One day the park can seem very empty, the next day it is magical. Visiting so often I can see why there are such polarised reviews.

Over the last month only 4 Rhino have been on public display. There are 7 on the park. So we are seeing less than 60% of the Rhino crash. Knowsley has the space to allow a large number of animals to be off show, if that’s deemed to be in the animals interest. I personally feel that’s a good thing, even if it means the public sometimes see fewer animals.

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

The baboon exhibit is to me a prime example of How not to exhibit a ground dwelling primate drive thru exhibit. I find it both totally unsuitable and a public nuisance making the baboons too accustomed to humans close by. It has reminiscences of Some of the real African parks public disasters of baboons accustomed to humans at places like Nakuru et al.

 

[Pertinax]

The baboon exhibit is to me a prime example of How not to exhibit a ground dwelling primate drive thru exhibit. I find it both totally unsuitable and a public nuisance making the baboons too accustomed to humans close by. It has reminiscences of Some of the real African parks public disasters of baboons accustomed to humans at places like Nakuru et al.

What changes would you make?

 

[Pootle]

I had a late pm safari drive today, it was one of those days when a few things happen, you catch those moments in time at zoos and safaris of course.

The Pere David’s where much closer to the road than in recent trips, so good to see them better, the 9 Kiang are still in a field behind the first safari field, so not too easy to view.

Into the grasslands opposite the Baboons and today my Blackbuck count got to around 35 individuals a few times, when they lie in longish grass, in undulating land, you (well I can!) easily miss a few. Again 4 rhinos out on safari, on in the newer rhino house. The three who were out had a good much of grass near the car then a drink close by too. The wildebeest where running about a bit frisky, a good herd of these with Eland and the current Rhino’s would look pretty good, especially if they could move the Zebra in too.

I noticed 3 roan antelope today, one in with the rhinos sat by a far fence, two other the other side of this fence in a different field, near the Eland house for those who know.

The Baboons had been quite recently fed I think, so where foraging amongst the grass for food. Nilgai sun bathing.

Lions chilling out, out of lion area and the wolves were out in the sun.


I am sure Zoo-chatters words are correct about female tigers in the old tiger enclosures, but 95% of people will never see them, the way the enclosure is. People do pay to see the animals! . Overall, a decent trip today.

As it has been mentioned about what changes would be made.
I'd keep it simple for starters, get the gardening side neat and tidy in may areas, its a mess as it is, no excuses!
Other work would be general maintenance, fill in pot holes give some of the animal houses a lick of paint. when you work somewhere daily you don't always notice these things I know first hand.

@Kifaru Bwana I'd be interested in hearing any ideas you may have for changing the Baboon enclosure. I think it has been pretty much this way for pushing 50 years now..? Maybe change is needed?....

 

[catfan]

Can assure you that the 2nd female tiger Bira is on the drive through, she has been since the arrival of Miron and he was paired up with Bira's sister in the newer foot safari part. I've been able to see her on the drive through on most visits since May when I started going regularly again, if an animal wants to sleep out of view then they should be able to in any enclosure. I've lost count of the amount of visitors that look through a window in the new tiger tracks enclosure and if they don't see one lying directly in front of them it's not there, many times I will point out where they are but they still aren't interested

 

[BillBoy80]

Can assure you that the 2nd female tiger Bira is on the drive through, she has been since the arrival of Miron and he was paired up with Bira's sister in the newer foot safari part. I've been able to see her on the drive through on most visits since May when I started going regularly again, if an animal wants to sleep out of view then they should be able to in any enclosure. I've lost count of the amount of visitors that look through a window in the new tiger tracks enclosure and if they don't see one lying directly in front of them it's not there, many times I will point out where they are but they still aren't interested View attachment 508554 View attachment 508556

I agree Bira is frequently visible (I would say I see her roughly 70% of the time). She loves to sleep underneath the big wooden box close to the fence, where she has a comfy straw bed. She can be a real dream to photograph in there. You can often tell when she’s prowling when you drive through the Lion enclosure as the Lions gather close to the fence just opposite the bottom of her enclosure. They can’t see her but can clearly smell/hear her. She’s most definitely not a tiger to be messed with