West Midland Safari and Leisure Park West Midland Safari Park 2020

Their Plains zebra’s have departed over the last few years, I know 3 went to Marwell, so I’m guessing it is a strategic move to add Grevy’s to the offering. Always found it strange that Knowsley wouldn’t want Zebra as they are one of the most distinctive and recognisable “Safari” animals.

Plus they may want to start a zebra breeding programme. I'm glad they've arrived as they were one of the species I wanted to see here. Let's hope to see some more new additions to create a herd over the coming weeks/months
 
Plus they may want to start a zebra breeding programme. I'm glad they've arrived as they were one of the species I wanted to see here. Let's hope to see some more new additions to create a herd over the coming weeks/months
I am also really excited, fingers crossed they will start a breeding programme :)
 
So how many Grevy’s have they got now (at Knowsley)?
This is the first that we are aware of, there have not been any Zebra’s at Knowsley since October 2019. At least I think that was when the last of the Plains Zebra’s departed for Marwell joining 2 others from Knowsley. I am imagining therefore that they will be bringing in at least one other Grevy from elsewhere to join this stallion.
 
This is the first that we are aware of, there have not been any Zebra’s at Knowsley since October 2019. At least I think that was when the last of the Plains Zebra’s departed for Marwell joining 2 others from Knowsley. I am imagining therefore that they will be bringing in at least one other Grevy from elsewhere to join this stallion.
Marwell did have two from Knowsley,but the other three came from Longleat.
 
Wait, so marwell now has Plains in addition to their Grevy’s, do they still have Hartmann’s mountain?
They have always had all three species, and still do, apart from a brief period recently when they sent the Plains zebra away and then replaced them again, due to organisational reasons. The other two species they have held continuously since opening.
 
They have always had all three species, and still do, apart from a brief period recently when they sent the Plains zebra away and then replaced them again, due to organisational reasons. The other two species they have held continuously since opening.
I was not previously aware of that, as I have not been to Marwell yet, and they don’t list the Plains Zebra on their website. Also does this make them the only place in the Uk with 3 subspecies species of zebra (And all 3 species)?
 
This was a release in their website from November 2019 in regards to their Zebra’s 1BE118DB-8F01-4AFE-9814-432EAF9AB114.png
 

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This was a release in their website from November 2019 in regards to their Zebra’s View attachment 466348
In 2018,4 female zebras arrived at Marwell,three from Longleat and one from Knowsley,one of the females from Longleat died.In 2019,another female from Knowsley arrived,and one of the Longleat females gave birth to a male foal.Marwell now hold 1.4.
 
I was not previously aware of that, as I have not been to Marwell yet, and they don’t list the Plains Zebra on their website. Also does this make them the only place in the Uk with 3 subspecies species of zebra (And all 3 species)?
Yes Marwell is currently the only UK zoo to hold all three species of zebra (and there are Somali wild ass and Przwalski horse too, so it's a very good equid collection).

Of course, if you go back far enough, London Zoo once had all three zebra species too.
 
Of course, if you go back far enough, London Zoo once had all three zebra species too.
I think the last time was the late 1960's? London had 1.1. Grevy Zebra, while at Whipsnade there was 1.1. Hartmann's Zebra (the only ones in the UK until Marwell got them) but did Whipsnade have a small group of Plains Zebra at the same time? I think probably yes.
 
I think the last time was the late 1960's? London had 1.1. Grevy Zebra, while at Whipsnade there was 1.1. Hartmann's Zebra (the only ones in the UK until Marwell got them) but did Whipsnade have a small group of Plains Zebra at the same time? I think probably yes.
London Zoo definitely held all three zebra species in the early 1960s around the time the Cotton Terraces first opened (and a Hartmann's mountain zebra was born there in 1963). The London Zoo Hartmann's zebras were sent to Whipsnade in 1969.

Yes Whipsnade had a herd of plains zebra in the 1960s.
 
(and a Hartmann's mountain zebra was born there in 1963). The London Zoo Hartmann's zebras were sent to Whipsnade in 1969
I remember the pair at Whipsnade were mother and son, so presumably that was the foal born in 1963 and the stallion died sometime afterward. The Grevy pair next to the Giraffe at London were also a mother/son pair I believe.
 
Their Plains zebra’s have departed over the last few years, I know 3 went to Marwell, so I’m guessing it is a strategic move to add Grevy’s to the offering. Always found it strange that Knowsley wouldn’t want Zebra as they are one of the most distinctive and recognisable “Safari” animals.
ah now I understand. that will be brilliant for Knowsley
 
Good set of news from West Midlands Safari Park on Facebook

" We’re thrilled to announce that we will be partially back open from Saturday 5th December!
Tickets are now LIVE for our initial opening; 5th-6th December and 9th - 11th December. We are opening the Safari Drive-through ONLY on these dates.
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Booking is essential! - wmsp.co.uk
We hope to open the walk-through areas as well on selected dates from 12th December, and tickets will be available for these dates from next week. Keep an eye on our social pages and website for any updates!
Read more information online at wmsp.co.uk/safety
We can’t wait to welcome everyone back again safely! "
 
Elephant lodges are set to open on the 14th of February in 2021. The bookings were open for about 3 hours yesterday before they had to close the bookings due to the rush booking. Cheetah Lodge has however, not been on the list of bookings due to incomplete construction. Wmsp have also confirmed that all profit will be invested in the major redevelopment of the drive area. All exciting news!
 
Elephant lodges are set to open on the 14th of February in 2021. The bookings were open for about 3 hours yesterday before they had to close ..

That is very hopeful and very brave, considering that we are all likely to be in another major National Covid-lockdown next February....
The current shambles practically guarantees it.
 
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