West Midland Safari and Leisure Park West midland safari park
- Thread starter James27
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They make just about as good exhibits as lions then, Pertinax, the mainstay of any decent safaripark.
I was at West Midlands yesterday. The Wolf (formerly macaque) reserve has been divided in two, the upper part being for the cheetahs which are behind a fence.
Philipine Spotted Deer were quite a surprise and these (a trio it appears) are housed alongside an Anoa adjoining the original wolf pen in the centre of the first Asian ungulate reserve.
Other changes since my last visit:
There are two Gemsbok, housed by themselves.
There are Reindeer (five of them - two haltered) with the White Wallabys.
The Addax are now in the former Emu reserve alongside the Red Lechwe.
At least 15 white lions now.
Two or more cape buffalo have a bomb-proof pen adjoining the main african ungulate reserve. I guess they will be introduced in time.
The female spotted 'zoo' leopard still seems to be unpaired but is at least on show. She came from Heythrop by the way.
Only the two cow elephants were on exhibit.
While driving round in the morning, I was reminded why I so dislike safari parks. There was a solid, two-lane jam throughout the reserves. It is impossible to pick up pace when you want to and you feel pressured to move on when you don't. And later, in the walk around area, the very different clientelle from zoos that safari parks attract make their presense felt. That said, I took a second journey around the reserves when just about everyone else had left. The sun was setting, the reserves were being locked up and it turned out to be one of the most pleasent times I have spent in a safari park. The animals were all very active (to the point of me fearing for the safety of my vehicle!). Indeed we witnessed a bull Eland and Gnu having quite a serious fight on the road ahead of us. At one point the Gnu got thrown into the side of the car in front much to the consternation of the occupants!!!
One thing that did strike me was the number of out-of-condition animals in the reserves. Quite a few of the ungulates had skin complaints and more still were badly scarred (both fresh and long-healed). The drawbacks of this type of management system I suppose...
I was at West Midlands yesterday. The Wolf (formerly macaque) reserve has been divided in two, the upper part being for the cheetahs which are behind a fence.
Philipine Spotted Deer were quite a surprise and these (a trio it appears) are housed alongside an Anoa adjoining the original wolf pen in the centre of the first Asian ungulate reserve.
Other changes since my last visit:
There are two Gemsbok, housed by themselves.
There are Reindeer (five of them - two haltered) with the White Wallabys.
The Addax are now in the former Emu reserve alongside the Red Lechwe.
At least 15 white lions now.
Two or more cape buffalo have a bomb-proof pen adjoining the main african ungulate reserve. I guess they will be introduced in time.
The female spotted 'zoo' leopard still seems to be unpaired but is at least on show. She came from Heythrop by the way.
Only the two cow elephants were on exhibit.
While driving round in the morning, I was reminded why I so dislike safari parks. There was a solid, two-lane jam throughout the reserves. It is impossible to pick up pace when you want to and you feel pressured to move on when you don't. And later, in the walk around area, the very different clientelle from zoos that safari parks attract make their presense felt. That said, I took a second journey around the reserves when just about everyone else had left. The sun was setting, the reserves were being locked up and it turned out to be one of the most pleasent times I have spent in a safari park. The animals were all very active (to the point of me fearing for the safety of my vehicle!). Indeed we witnessed a bull Eland and Gnu having quite a serious fight on the road ahead of us. At one point the Gnu got thrown into the side of the car in front much to the consternation of the occupants!!!
One thing that did strike me was the number of out-of-condition animals in the reserves. Quite a few of the ungulates had skin complaints and more still were badly scarred (both fresh and long-healed). The drawbacks of this type of management system I suppose...
I'd also add that think the Hunting Dogs make superb subjects for a drive-through reserve. The cars seem to provide endless opportunities for them to chase and hid from each other. And this in turn makes an exciting exhibit from the public's perspecive and keeps the rangers on their toes. Every time I've been through this reserve the animals have seemed to be really enjoying the enrichment provided by the cars.
Paradoxurus, a couple things...
1)Do you have any pictures of the cheetahs?
2)When you say the wolf paddock, does that mean this has been decreased in size for the wolves?
3)With 15 white lions, does that mean more litters have been born?
4)I don't think there are plans to integrate the buffalo, they have been in that thing for two years and it has it's own name "Buffalo Boma".
5)Where are the gemsbok kept?
6)Any news on the hippos?
7)The hunting dogs are always sleep when I get around to that section...
8) Are the wallabies still on their own in the section after Africa and before Wolves?
I realise that is a lot of things...
1)Do you have any pictures of the cheetahs?
2)When you say the wolf paddock, does that mean this has been decreased in size for the wolves?
3)With 15 white lions, does that mean more litters have been born?
4)I don't think there are plans to integrate the buffalo, they have been in that thing for two years and it has it's own name "Buffalo Boma".
5)Where are the gemsbok kept?
6)Any news on the hippos?
7)The hunting dogs are always sleep when I get around to that section...
8) Are the wallabies still on their own in the section after Africa and before Wolves?
I realise that is a lot of things...
I don't personally have any photos of the cheetah but I think my companion might have (I'll find out).
Yes the wolf paddock is smaller now. If you can recall where the road enters it for the second time (on the way back through), the area to the left hand side has been set aside for the cheetahs. There are two paddocks for the cheetahs,only one of which is completed. Of course I may be talking absolute rubbish and those paddocks were there all along and held something else - wallabies perhaps?
Of the white lions, the youngest of the seemed to be about six months old (I think there were five of that age), then there were three lioness and a male plus a further two lionesses separated.
The Gemsbok are in a small square pen on the left hand side as you exit the second Asian ungulate drive-through.
I seem to remember eight hippos (without refering back to my notes) and all looked to be adult or nearly-adult. I dare say that their lake needs dredging!!!
The Reindeer are with the Wallabies.
Yes the wolf paddock is smaller now. If you can recall where the road enters it for the second time (on the way back through), the area to the left hand side has been set aside for the cheetahs. There are two paddocks for the cheetahs,only one of which is completed. Of course I may be talking absolute rubbish and those paddocks were there all along and held something else - wallabies perhaps?
Of the white lions, the youngest of the seemed to be about six months old (I think there were five of that age), then there were three lioness and a male plus a further two lionesses separated.
The Gemsbok are in a small square pen on the left hand side as you exit the second Asian ungulate drive-through.
I seem to remember eight hippos (without refering back to my notes) and all looked to be adult or nearly-adult. I dare say that their lake needs dredging!!!
The Reindeer are with the Wallabies.
So the wolves have a smaller area!? I can't believe it - went a few years ago and although I enjoyed the place, I did think that the wolf area was rather pitiful. I suppose the fact that I'm more used to Longleat and their massive 'Wolf Wood' didn't help matters, but I was really disapointed by the set-up for the wolves at WMSP. I guess they want to keep adding new species to bring in more punters, but they don't really have the space to do it!
I agree about the hunting dogs though - they were really active when I visited, and even though they were quite a long way off, they were a joy to watch. Really good exhibit!
I agree about the hunting dogs though - they were really active when I visited, and even though they were quite a long way off, they were a joy to watch. Really good exhibit!
OK. Right, 've just checked a recent edition of the map and the reserve that was for wallabies now hold the white wallabies and the reindeer and the one that was for the 'white wallabies' (which was part of the wolf reserve) is now for Cheetah (though it is drive-by and not drive-through). Hope that straightens any confusion!
Also, it was good to see a King Cobra in the reptile house.
Also, it was good to see a King Cobra in the reptile house.
Ah yes, that's where I thought they'd go. I personally would have put them in the first wallaby exhibit because there is a lot more space, but knock down that stupid kiosk in there! (a connection to african reserve then as well)
Sand Cat that also means the wolf area isn't any smaller...
Sand Cat that also means the wolf area isn't any smaller...
Phew, that's a relief!!! To shrink it any more would have been awful IMO!!! Thanks to the both of you for clarifying the situation. I'm a bit disapointed that the cheetahs aren't in a drive-through reserve though; but like I said before, I think that West Midlands simply have more ambition than acres.
Hunting dogs are a great display(better than Cheetahs!!) I've seen them in a number of zoos and they are often active at different times of day- though less so in hot weather. A safari park style reserve sounds even more suitable for them, with added stimulus from the traffic etc, though overall(for the sorts of reasons you touch on) I too have never really been a fan of Safari Parks.
Susan Humphreys
Well-Known Member
I went to West Midlands Safari Park on Saturday - will try and post some pictures over the next couple of days. There were two cheetahs sat against the fence. Their enclosure is long with two fake small caves for sheltering I guess. There were two leopards - they were sleeping in the bottom right corner. The white tiger had two adorable cubs. 
Let me know if I can give you any other updates.
Let me know if I can give you any other updates.
Do or dare?
Any news about the rhinos? WM Safari has a functional breeding group. The last birth dates back to 2006.
My records:
M Sharka (adult breeding bull)
M Hope (born 3/2001 - mother Tootsie, transferred, but ... knows where)?
M Barney (born 9/2005 - mother Tootsie)
F Zulus (adult non-breeder)
F Mtuba (adult non-breeder)
F Tootsie (adult breeding cow)
F Trixie (adult breeding cow)
F Lucy (born 2/2002 - mother Trixi, transferred and ... knows where)?
F unnamed (born 2006 - mother Trixi)
Are any new calves on the way and stuff ....???
Any news about the rhinos? WM Safari has a functional breeding group. The last birth dates back to 2006.
My records:
M Sharka (adult breeding bull)
M Hope (born 3/2001 - mother Tootsie, transferred, but ... knows where)?
M Barney (born 9/2005 - mother Tootsie)
F Zulus (adult non-breeder)
F Mtuba (adult non-breeder)
F Tootsie (adult breeding cow)
F Trixie (adult breeding cow)
F Lucy (born 2/2002 - mother Trixi, transferred and ... knows where)?
F unnamed (born 2006 - mother Trixi)
Are any new calves on the way and stuff ....???
Susan Humphreys
Well-Known Member
I took a couple of pics - but bet you can't tell who is who - lol 
Paulkarli08
Well-Known Member
Just a quick question about West Midland's obcession with breeding white lions and tigers- I know they are a nice looking attraction which has no doubt boosted their attendance figures, but are they keeping hold of all of the offspring the lions and tigers produce? There must be about 12 white lions by now at least and presumably the same for the white tigers, and yet the tigers have produced even more cubs, at least 3 this year from a single female!
As a thought, is there actually anywhere the cubs could go to? There surely can't be any space in any UK zoos, not that they should be stupid enough to take them.
As a thought, is there actually anywhere the cubs could go to? There surely can't be any space in any UK zoos, not that they should be stupid enough to take them.
Paulkarli08, I can understand the reasoning to breed the white lions and tigers, because prior to the arrival of these animals (and subsequent breeding) the visitor numbers were severely lagging, even with the arrival of Hunting Dogs and the construction of nocturnal, insect and aquatic houses. However I do not neccesarily agree with it, because it is using animals which are of no real use in the gene pool and therefore taking up space which could be used for genetically valuable animals...
The safari park needed a draw card because longleat was gaining a large advantage due to it's national tv series (WMSP's was only regional to the midlands and therefore a smaller audience) however I really wish they could've chosen a different method of attracting visitors.
The safari park needed a draw card because longleat was gaining a large advantage due to it's national tv series (WMSP's was only regional to the midlands and therefore a smaller audience) however I really wish they could've chosen a different method of attracting visitors.
Paulkarli08
Well-Known Member
I agree about them needing the boost, must be hard living in Longleat's shadows, and i though the WMSP documentary was a bit crap anyway.
I do think it's pointless in them breeding the white animals on a regular basis (which i presume will happen now) I mean the odd zoo holding a representitive of the species i have no problem with, like Paradise Wildlife Park (white lion) and Colchester Zoo (white tiger) but to have large groups of them and breeding is pointless. the space couldve been taken up by having a breeding group of Amur or Sumatran tigers.
Do WMSP breed the tigers they have?, or are they just normal safari park cross breed tigers?
I do think it's pointless in them breeding the white animals on a regular basis (which i presume will happen now) I mean the odd zoo holding a representitive of the species i have no problem with, like Paradise Wildlife Park (white lion) and Colchester Zoo (white tiger) but to have large groups of them and breeding is pointless. the space couldve been taken up by having a breeding group of Amur or Sumatran tigers.
Do WMSP breed the tigers they have?, or are they just normal safari park cross breed tigers?
I don't think they breed the tabby tigers anymore and I assume they're cross-breeds, but they sent two females to Chester a while back and both were claimed to be Bengals, how true this is however, remains questionable...
johnstoni
Well-Known Member
I actually don't mind the freakshow that WMSP advertises itself as if it helps them to maintain aye aye, african wild dogs, banteng, african buffalo, a viable group of african elephant, wildebeest, Alfred's spotted deer, sambar, etc...they are one of the few UK collections other than Port Lympne to successfully breed from their hunting dogs if ISIS was anything to go by last year, does anyone know if the pups were mother-raised?
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