I am not aware of a page for this year and so have made one. Had a visit yesterday and really enjoyed it. The whole sight has had a general clean up. Grass cut, some trees down etc... Most of the animals were out. The lions were especially active moving along the enclosure into sunny spots. I think one of the rhino's is definitely pregnant as she is a lot bigger than the others and it looks like her milk bag and teats are developing. Other developments include new fencing being installed around the giraffe enclosure which they were only just starting.
Knowsley Safari Park Knowsley Safari Park news 2022
- Thread starter Keelan
- Start date
Anyone know of any updates,animal moves(internal & external) and future developments or just general news for here?
The internal animal moves I'm referring to (unless there are more) are regarding species like the wolves, are they back on the foot safari or still on drive through?
The internal animal moves I'm referring to (unless there are more) are regarding species like the wolves, are they back on the foot safari or still on drive through?
seems there's already a news thread for Knowsley this year:
Knowsley safari Park 2022
Knowsley safari Park 2022
Pootle
Well-Known Member
Ostrich will reappear when the weather gets milder, its been this way for years.
I counted circa 50 blackbuck on my visit on 11the Feb. It was very clear to see then, so that's the most accurate count I have. I'd say certainly 2 mature males, one 'getting there'.
Then I watched several individuals leap, brilliant to see, and off they went across the grass. A (for me) really interesting species that benefits from large open areas not available in zoos generally.
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Blackbuck used to do quite well in a relatively small paddock at London Zoo. A lovely species that has largely gone out of fashion in U.K. zoos. Much missed, imho
The Hedgehog
Well-Known Member
Will African Elephants ever return to Knowlesley? Initially when the Elephants were exported to Beaval Zoo it was a temporary move. Fast forward a few years,and the Elephant enclosure has been largely derelict. I say largely, as 2 years ago, a couple of young Asian Elephant Bulls from Dublin Zoo temporarily called the enclosure home before joining a new Bachelor herd in Sydney Australia. I would really like Knowlesley to house Elephants once again. Not many English Zoos/Safari Parls have resident Elephants be it Asian or African. I’ve not visited Knowlesley myself,but from photos and videos I have seen online the enclosure was of a decent size.
Pootle
Well-Known Member
I guess it depends on the definition of temporary?..... sorry it's a crap answer.
For years I had a 'private' parking space near the elephants and would watch them do 'their stuff' for hours, until they noticed me/us parked up and would come to be nosy themselves. I was quite annoyed how the transfer of the herd went about and I know (ok, pretty sure, & common sense told me) if they had stayed then deaths would have been prevented so early to some individuals.
I hindsight maybe a mistake to move them on?
What annoyed me about their departure was the statement regarding that there was
"an opportunity" to develop the elephant enclosure and house were to be updated and a new herd brought in when this clearly wasn't the case.
The enclosure has now gone to waste from what I saw last year and is depressing and heartbreaking to witness.
Pootle
Well-Known Member
Similar to other parts of the Safari. Good things are happening now, but some parts of KSP need sorting out with effect soon. It is without doubt a poorer safari drive than 10 - 20 years ago. Although still good.
From my understanding the elephant enclosure was supposed to be turned into a new giraffe enclosure with the foot safari development which saw the tiger trail and wolf Country.being built. I think it was a good opportunity for the park to perhaps have a breeding herd of giraffes. However considering I saw new fencing being installed I doubt this will happen. I would really like to see elephants back into that enclosure but I'm unsure whether it will happen which is a shame because the park needs them in my opinion to compete with other safaris as they are the only safari park with no elephants. I think their safari drive is the best it has been for a while. A few more additions are needed in places but all in all a good drive. They just need to sort out the elephant enclosure now. Perhaps hippos could be put in there if a big pool was dug out.
The Hedgehog
Well-Known Member
@Pootle which deaths could have been prevented? What actually killed the Elephants who’s deaths you say may have been preventable
Pootle
Well-Known Member
@The Hedgehog Slow down. No one is pointing fingers. If you are young and don't understand, then I suggest watch and learn. KSP did nothing wrong at all
The Hedgehog
Well-Known Member
You're unlikely to even be in the youngest 100
not that your age has *anything* to do with the matter at hand.London's did do well in their more closely confined paddock(s). But the herd was badly inbred- if you looked carefully many had overshot and undershot jaws etc. With the death of the last ZSL male at Whipsnade some years ago now, I doubt there are any of this line left in GB, though not 100% certain.