Knowsley Safari Park Knowsley Safari Park 2021

[Pootle]

Guys...... @BillBoy80 & @catfan

No one is doubting where this tiger is... you take top photos.

We know a tiger is here....well you two do!

Do you get the general message we are discussing about the exhibit?

 

[BillBoy80]

I do, I think it can be improved. I’m hoping that if the plan is definitely to retain Miron, Bira and Sinda the drive enclosure will see some landscaping work. It is highly unlikely however that they will have the budget to significantly change the footprint of the enclosure and it will therefore continue to be surrounded by high fences, with the road only passing on one side of a relatively large enclosure.

With just a single tiger present it may often not be obvious to someone quickly driving past at 20mph that there is a tiger in there.

Knowsley are hugely focused on the Tiger breeding programme and it’s a reality of keeping Miron that one of the tigers will need to be housed in the only other suitable enclosure (which happens to be on the drive).

The girls were born in 2008, so there is a chance they may not end up having cubs. Miron the male was born in 2014 so he’s so important long term to the Knowsley/European breeding programme.

Enclosures in which a fence separates the animals from the car on a Safari drive are far from optimal. I also really hope the Zebra can be integrated with the Rhino. I’m still unsure why the Kiang have been fenced off from the main paddock over the last year. They are such interesting animals to watch.

The Wolves are frequently visible on the drive but the type of fencing really makes it hard to photograph them from a car. I’m hoping they will soon move back to the foot safari, which will free up some carnivore enclosure space.

 

[Pootle]

The Wolves are frequently visible on the drive but the type of fencing really makes it hard to photograph them from a car. I’m hoping they will soon move back to the foot safari, which will free up some carnivore enclosure space.

Hmmm, not sure why you are saying this, I'm interested in your reasoning here, so you would like to:

• Move the wolves (more animals) to the foot safari, why?

• Free up more carnivore/safari enclosure space for what reason? Surely enough enclosures on safari route lacking animals now is 'essentially' this discussion?

I just don't understand what your reasoning on this suggestion is tbh @BillBoy80 considering the on going general diminishing of the safari drive.

 

[Pootle]

driving past at 20mph

Blimey!! you go fast in a safari park

I think 4-5 mph....

 

[BillBoy80]

The logic being that the themed enclosure for the Wolves was constructed to allow good visibility of the animals for the public. You can can see the Wolves in action without having to look through a wire fence (you don’t even have to look through glass), which in my view is the preference of the majority of people attending the park.

Knowsley have said that the Wolves moving over onto the drive is temporary (as it was with the Bush Dogs) during renovation work.

As I said it appears to be a necessity for the Tiger breeding programme at Knowsley for a female tiger to be housed elsewhere from the main enclosure. (There is only one suitable place for that). The bonus of this is it increases the chance of you seeing a tiger when visiting Knowsley (on some days Bira was visible when the two on the foot Safari where out of sight. Providing a safe environment for Cubs has always been a big part of the design of that enclosure.

The point I make about the Wolves moving back is that there is soon to be a free carnivore enclosure that would make it possible for a new carnivore species to arrive.

In reference to your speed comment, we wouldn’t be passing at that speed as we would be trying to see Bira but many do in that section of the park where the animals are in fenced off enclosures. The simple addition of signage to indicate that you are about to pass a Tiger enclosure would be helpful as people may take more time to try and see if they can spot the beautiful Bira.

Hmmm, not sure why you are saying this, I'm interested in your reasoning here, so you would like to:

• Move the wolves (more animals) to the foot safari, why?

• Free up more carnivore/safari enclosure space for what reason? Surely enough enclosures on safari route lacking animals now is 'essentially' this discussion?

I just don't understand what your reasoning on this suggestion is tbh @BillBoy80 considering the on going general diminishing of the safari drive.

 

[Pootle]

In reference to your speed comment, we wouldn’t be passing at that speed as we would be trying to see Bira but many do in that section of the park where the animals are in fenced off enclosures. The simple addition of signage to indicate that you are about to pass a Tiger enclosure would be helpful as people may take more time to try and see if they can spot the beautiful Bira.

maybe 10mph tops, not 20 I assure you, anyhow that's trivial...

The tiger breeding program, of course they need to separate, mix, separate as and when.
As you are a regular visitor like me, how would you improve the drive through sections? - If you think they are Ok then, that's your choice & cool!
But I am interested in peoples views on making it better & as a regular you will know more than most people.

 

[BillBoy80]

maybe 10mph tops, not 20 I assure you, anyhow that's trivial...

The tiger breeding program, of course they need to separate, mix, separate as and when.
As you are a regular visitor like me, how would you improve the drive through sections? - If you think they are Ok then, that's your choice & cool!
But I am interested in peoples views on making it better & as a regular you will know more than most people.

I don’t do the driving so I’m only guessing I do think if a tiger is to stay permanently on the drive that they should bring it up to a similar standard to the main tiger enclosure. The Bongos are one of my favourite animals but they spend so much time inside that most people will never see them. I’m unsure why unlike the other animals they are not put out for the day. When they are out they hugely add to the experience. I want to see the Zebra (with some new additions) on the drive with the Rhino and Antelopes and Kiang back out on the drive.

Currently as you know the Rhino have not been out in the first of the paddocks by the enclosures, meaning it feels very empty. Hopefully that will change as it’s my understanding there are still 7 Rhino at the park, which includes two males.

 

[Pootle]

I don’t do the driving so I’m only guessing I do think if a tiger is to stay permanently on the drive that they should bring it up to a similar standard to the main tiger enclosure. The Bongos are one of my favourite animals but they spend so much time inside that most people will never see them. I’m unsure why unlike the other animals they are not put out for the day. When they are out they hugely add to the experience. I want to see the Zebra (with some new additions) on the drive with the Rhino and Antelopes and Kiang back out on the drive.

Currently as you know the Rhino have not been out in the first of the paddocks by the enclosures, meaning it feels very empty. Hopefully that will change as it’s my understanding there are still 7 Rhino at the park, which includes two males.

Any new species you would like on the drive through?

I recall Wallabies, Rhea and Emu being popular drive thru animals in the past, generally inexpensive to get, yet they boost the experience. I think the Yaks are a great addition, a few more species to boost diversity.

Bongos are quite nocturnal by nature.

 

[Keelan]

I would like to see the somali wild ass removed from the drive as I believe they are a bit oddly placed in the carnivore area. Maybe putting them with the bongo or on the foot safari. I don't understand why the sitatunga are in that small enclosure on the safari. The zebra need to be put into one of the rhino reserves. I would like the whole carnivore section except the lions to be knocked down. I think a new enclosure for jaguar would be nice upon entry and exit to the lions. I think that cheetah would be good in the area of the old tiger and lion enclosures and finally I think the old wild ass enclosure and areas behind that could make a nice hyena enclosure

 

[Pootle]

I would like to see the somali wild ass removed from the drive as I believe they are a bit oddly placed in the carnivore area. Maybe putting them with the bongo or on the foot safari. I don't understand why the sitatunga are in that small enclosure on the safari. The zebra need to be put into one of the rhino reserves. I would like the whole carnivore section except the lions to be knocked down. I think a new enclosure for jaguar would be nice upon entry and exit to the lions. I think that cheetah would be good in the area of the old tiger and lion enclosures and finally I think the old wild ass enclosure and areas behind that could make a nice hyena enclosure

That's quite a wish list!, nothing wrong with that mind you It would certainly give things a boost!

 

[Embu]

I've always thought with the space that Knowsley could, like WMSP, keep Grevys and Grants zebra in different sections.

Are warthog easy to keep on a drive through or is there too much space for them?

Personally I think Cheetah and/or African/painted wild dog would suit Knowsley and would seriously enhance the carnivore section once the wolves move back home.

Cape Buffalo in a visible drive past section would also be good but they may be too dangerous to keep with visitors passing all day every day. Unsure how this species copes with cars and visitors but would definitely be a tremendous species to see up close. Not your typical "farm cow" as ive heard some people refer to them as

These suggestions wouldn't solve all of the drive through issues but at least it would be a big help.

 

[Pootle]

Are warthog easy to keep on a drive through or is there too much space for them?

Cape Buffalo in a visible drive past section would also be good but they may be too dangerous to keep with visitors passing all day every day. Unsure how this species copes with cars and visitors but would definitely be a tremendous species to see up close. Not your typical "farm cow" as ive heard some people refer to them as

Warthogs are incredible animals, I love them, but in a Safari drive through they would dig under a fence and find them selves in trouble escaping and wreaking havoc! One best kept to a more common zoo exhibit rather than Safari drive.

KSP as mentioned previously kept 5 or 6 Cape buffalo cows for many years. They did get a bull, but he wasn't car friendly. (Saying that it's the drivers fault most of the times not the animals).....

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

I've always thought with the space that Knowsley could, like WMSP, keep Grevys and Grants zebra in different sections.

Are warthog easy to keep on a drive through or is there too much space for them?

Personally I think Cheetah and/or African/painted wild dog would suit Knowsley and would seriously enhance the carnivore section once the wolves move back home.

Cape Buffalo in a visible drive past section would also be good but they may be too dangerous to keep with visitors passing all day every day. Unsure how this species copes with cars and visitors but would definitely be a tremendous species to see up close. Not your typical "farm cow" as ive heard some people refer to them as

These suggestions wouldn't solve all of the drive through issues but at least it would be a big help.

Exactly

 

[Keelan]

Visited yesterday and the safari was virtually empty. Safari drive:
Zone 1 and 11: I like this zone as I think it has a nice mix of animals but I just wish the kiang would be let back on the drive through and not in that pen. Also wish the zebra would move.
Zone 2 and 8: this area we usually just drive straight through but concidering how quiet the safari was all the species were close to the road. I saw 4 baby Nilgai, a few young axis and blackbuck but couldn't see any young elds.
Zone 3 and 6: all in this zone were active and again close to the road there were 4 rhinos in this area. There were 5 wildebeest where there are usually 6 so unsure what happened there.
Zone 4: ostrich were very active on the move all the time, Lechwe were all in a herd by the water hole. The rhinos are back in here now which there were 2 of. Forest buffalo were along the back fence.
Zone 5: saw the bongo up close today for the first time
Zone 7: baboons were not too active today as not many cars were in there.
Zone 9: enjoy this area the bison were dining around the top area of the enclosure with the deer. I think it would be nice to see red deer in this area but I wouldn't say the area definitely needs them as it is OK ad it is. Moose was feeding.
Zone 10: lions were not let into the drive through today. We saw 5 of the lions and the only one missing was the castrated male Ted so unsure if somthing has happened to him as we went round 3 times and still no sign of him. The wolves were feeding today so each time there were wolves chasing each other for food and eating so they were very active and we saw bira once and she walked from the enclosure next to the lion House all the way up to the old tiger enclosure.
Foot safari:
Again really quiet today, sea lions were doing the exact same as they always are swimming in circles. Its such a shame because the sea lions are my favorites by far and their enclosure is way too small. However I think that if knowsley had to make the enclosure bigger they would get rid of the sea lions due to costs. I have a feeling they won't be getting anymore after these die out.
We saw one tiger in the first enclosure and I think it was Sinda.
Giraffes were out and about
Meerkats and red river hogs were all inside
For the first time I saw all 4 species on the equatorial trail in the outdoor paddock
Bush dogs were waiting by the door to the indoor area as it was being cleaned. I didn't realise they had so many because there must have been at least 15.

 

[Keelan]

 

[Embu]

Great photos and constructive review which I agree with. How many ostrich did you see I thought there was 1:4 about 18 months/2 years ago bit only saw 0:2 when I went in the summer?. Hopefully Ted is OK, apart from Sam he's the easiest one to spot

Personally zebra would be better mixed in with the rhino, wildebeest & Eland.

 

[Keelan]

I saw the 2 female ostrich. Ans yes I think the zebra would look good anywhere in those 2 sections just not where they are lol.

 

[BillBoy80]

I’m pleased to report that I saw all 6 Lions today at Knowsley. I was very relieved to see Ted looking very well (although he does have a cut under his eye that wasn’t there less Friday). This may have been the reason for his absence the other day. The lions were interacting really well and looked like a very happy pride, with lots of affection was on show between Ted and Sam as per usual.

The Lions were not let out of their enclosure again today. I’m guessing this could be due to a shortage of staff amongst the Carnivore team. When the Lions are out it requires staff to be continually on the gate & to be patrolling in a jeep.

Ted last Friday

Images from today

 

[Keelan]

Had another visit here today and had a plesent visit. Not much to much to add really. The biggest news it that there are baby Bush dogs. I'm not sure how many in total but I managed to get a glimpse of 2. There were 5 rhinos today in the larger area and just 1 in the area with the ostrich. There were lots of gun shots to be heard today which made the male tiger (I think so because it looked bigger than the others) was quite unsettled by and was very active today.

 

[TigerStripe]

Three baby Bush Dog pups have been born!
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