In which case a lot of work needs doing very quickly, I was there on Wednesday and from what I saw through a tiny gap in the wall it was still a dusty building site, however the view and my knowledge of exhibit construction are both limited.
West Midland Safari and Leisure Park West Midland Safari Park 2021
- Thread starter The Hedgehog
- Start date
After the success with the elephant and cheetah lodges. Here's more big news
We're excited to share news about phase 2 of our Safari Lodges development!
More lodges will be added onto the Safari Drive-through, offering overnight stays, this time with giraffe and white rhino!
Two-story accommodation will be authentically integrated into newly updated giraffe and white rhino habitats, giving guests an immersive and unforgettable overnight wildlife encounter like no other.
These plans also focus on upgrading the Park’s animal facilities, including a brand-new giraffe house and a state-of-the-art rhino and antelope house.
Once the planning submission is granted, work is due to commence in September 2021, with ambitions for completion in Spring 2022
If you'd like to be the first to know more about these developments and when you can book, sign up to our e-newsletter! - safari-lodges.co.uk/keep-in-touch
We're excited to share news about phase 2 of our Safari Lodges development!
More lodges will be added onto the Safari Drive-through, offering overnight stays, this time with giraffe and white rhino!
Two-story accommodation will be authentically integrated into newly updated giraffe and white rhino habitats, giving guests an immersive and unforgettable overnight wildlife encounter like no other.
These plans also focus on upgrading the Park’s animal facilities, including a brand-new giraffe house and a state-of-the-art rhino and antelope house.
Once the planning submission is granted, work is due to commence in September 2021, with ambitions for completion in Spring 2022
If you'd like to be the first to know more about these developments and when you can book, sign up to our e-newsletter! - safari-lodges.co.uk/keep-in-touch
Some photos of the newly completed elephant exhibit taken on Wednesday last week, the planting seems to have established itself very well already.
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Looks amazing and there's plenty of room when more elephants come in the futureSome photos of the newly completed elephant exhibit taken on Wednesday last week, the planting seems to have established itself very well already.
Shame they can not get the Port Lympne elephants instead of exporting them to Africa, since it has been mentioned on the forum today that they are culling them there whats the point in sending them there
Introducing West Midlands Safari Park's new Red Panda Mei Lin
Red Panda Retreat is now open from today 2nd August
Paid a family visit here yesterday. Arrived fairly early but half of the West Midlands had the same idea, resulting in bad traffic congestion at the start and finish of the drive through reserves- okay in the middle parts though. I've always thought the policy of allow animal feeding here aggravates the traffic jams, as well as being something of a health hazard, but they still do it- I don't think any other UK Safari Parks do though?
Anyway, a few observations(apologies in advance as I go mainly to see the Asian hoofstock, not the carnivores etc );
There are now just 3 female Persian Fallow deer. The only survivors of the disastrous Hunting dog escape early last year. Also only ones in UK. Three options; will they try to restart the group, send them away, or do nothing. Only saw 4 Aoudad/Barbary sheep in there too-now only females? Will this decimated display soon be phased out?- visitors just drive straight through without interest.
Blackbuck herd(all female) reduced a bit- perhaps natural deaths of old ones, and the single castrated male seems to have gone too.
On the plus side there were at least three calves in the Barasingha herd- the result of the arrival of the new single stag from Knowsley (he was originally from Whipsnade but had been alone after the two females died soon after their arrival). I presume after so many years with no male, only a few of the youngest females in the WM herd will still be breeders.
The young male Indian rhino was nice to see- born in September last year, he's their first baby.
Saw the 1.2(?) Phillipine deer better this time, but missed the Eld's deer instead. The 3 white fallow deer females in the 2nd Asian reserve(Pere David, Banteng etc) must be very old now- I remember them from my original visit many years ago. I think perhaps they may be the last from a fallow herd held at the estate prior to it becoming the WMSP? They hang out with the small group of Axis, all females, which by now must also be elderly too. 'Single sex' is evidently the way they control many of their commoner ungulate groups, but the result is many geriatrics that will eventually die off without replacing themselves..
White rhino were not out when we drove through but saw them easily from the carpark area later on, with two little calves. The hippo exhibit is as disappointing as ever- such a wasted opportunity, but I think future plans might change this?
New Red Panda exhibit open but no sign of inhabitants. Rather stark as there are no old trees or foliage in it.
Not sure why the Sealions are not on show apart from during the 'performances' You can hear them constantly-is it two males?- but they are completely hidden from view.
Personally I think the two best parts of West Midlands are the Dinosaur display and the views you can get from the carpark...!!
Was going to post some photos in the gallery but have made a few comments on some that were already there instead which are similar to my own- but better...
Anyway, a few observations(apologies in advance as I go mainly to see the Asian hoofstock, not the carnivores etc );
There are now just 3 female Persian Fallow deer. The only survivors of the disastrous Hunting dog escape early last year. Also only ones in UK. Three options; will they try to restart the group, send them away, or do nothing. Only saw 4 Aoudad/Barbary sheep in there too-now only females? Will this decimated display soon be phased out?- visitors just drive straight through without interest.
Blackbuck herd(all female) reduced a bit- perhaps natural deaths of old ones, and the single castrated male seems to have gone too.
On the plus side there were at least three calves in the Barasingha herd- the result of the arrival of the new single stag from Knowsley (he was originally from Whipsnade but had been alone after the two females died soon after their arrival). I presume after so many years with no male, only a few of the youngest females in the WM herd will still be breeders.
The young male Indian rhino was nice to see- born in September last year, he's their first baby.
Saw the 1.2(?) Phillipine deer better this time, but missed the Eld's deer instead. The 3 white fallow deer females in the 2nd Asian reserve(Pere David, Banteng etc) must be very old now- I remember them from my original visit many years ago. I think perhaps they may be the last from a fallow herd held at the estate prior to it becoming the WMSP? They hang out with the small group of Axis, all females, which by now must also be elderly too. 'Single sex' is evidently the way they control many of their commoner ungulate groups, but the result is many geriatrics that will eventually die off without replacing themselves..
White rhino were not out when we drove through but saw them easily from the carpark area later on, with two little calves. The hippo exhibit is as disappointing as ever- such a wasted opportunity, but I think future plans might change this?
New Red Panda exhibit open but no sign of inhabitants. Rather stark as there are no old trees or foliage in it.
Not sure why the Sealions are not on show apart from during the 'performances' You can hear them constantly-is it two males?- but they are completely hidden from view.
Personally I think the two best parts of West Midlands are the Dinosaur display and the views you can get from the carpark...!!
Was going to post some photos in the gallery but have made a few comments on some that were already there instead which are similar to my own- but better...
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Beware the potential traffic jams at the beginning and end of the Safari drives. That's the worst bit. Doesn't seem to make much difference at this time of year if you go early either. Late on it gets much quieter I do know as I was able to do that in the past.Thanks for the review @Pertinax as I'm doing my first ever visit here next week
Cheers I'll leave that to the driver haha
Here's Mei Lin in her new home
Thanks for the review @Pertinax The uncontrolled feeding from the car is always something I have thought of as potentially problematic; both in terms of traffic jams but also animal/visitor safety, particularly for visitors with children when you see toddlers feeding the Eland which I have always found to be quite aggressive at the start of the drive through.
Personally, (visiting with out children) I think the experience is quite exciting and being able to hand feed forest buffalo, bison, ankole cattle, giraffe, eland, nilgai, and many other deer species for the price of a bag of feed is the kind of experience you would pay heavily for at other establishments as part of a keeper for the day experience potentially.
Personally, (visiting with out children) I think the experience is quite exciting and being able to hand feed forest buffalo, bison, ankole cattle, giraffe, eland, nilgai, and many other deer species for the price of a bag of feed is the kind of experience you would pay heavily for at other establishments as part of a keeper for the day experience potentially.
Question to ask. Would anyone make the trip to West Midland Safari Park to see Mei Lin in her new home ? One day I will but don't know when just yet
Im going next Sunday so possibly if I get time although I don't know my way around so depends how lost I get
is it the first time you went ?Im going next Sunday so possibly if I get time although I don't know my way around so depends how lost I get
Yes it will be my first visit
ah I see. There will a park map so that you won't get lost at all
About 4 months ago when the elephant and cheetah lodges was opened for the first time the guests loves it and even though it was sad news about Latabe but there is plans for the future as like bintarong said the future plan is to bring in new elephants with a breeding bull so that they can breed which would be really good
Unfortunately I can't post videos on here so to check out the 2 rhino calves who is now out in the reserve you may need to go on Facebook and see for yourself. My apologies for that