|
  |
Series One (2006)...
 PROGRAMME SIX - SUNDAY, 10th SEPTEMBER 2006 - SAFARI STAFF TRAVEL INTO THE BUSH AND BACK!
Staff from West Midland Safari Park travel to Namibia in the sixth and final episode of the current new 6 part television series, for ITV1 Central, based at West Midland Safari Park, which can be seen at 6.00pm on Sunday, 10th September 2006.
Namibia, which has recently seen a massive boost in tourism following the recent birth of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's first child, is the home of the Park's 'sister' reserve which borders the world famous Etosha National Park - Ongava Game Reserve - one of the finest wildlife and most exclusive sanctuaries in Africa.
Ongava covers an area of 150 square miles, is home to over 40 endangered black and white Rhinoceros and 6000 endemic animals.
During their stay at Ongava, Safari Park staff officially open the Ongava Research Centre, which is currently involved in GPS lion monitoring and rhino DNA collection. The main object of their visit - and the highlight of the trip - was to replicate the fitting of a GPS tracking collar on an 'Ongava' lion, which was seen being tested on a Lion at West Midland Safari Park during programme five. The Lion was tracked in the dark, the old collar removed and new one fitted, as part of ongoing research.
During the 12-day long visit, watch staff as they track rhino and lion in the bush to within 15 metres; help a local vet operate on an African Wild Hunting Dog; track Cheetah on foot and by air bush plane and track Black Rhino at night. See West Midland Safari Park staff as they journey to Namibia in the sixth and final episode of the new 6 part television series, for ITV1 Central, based at West Midland Safari Park, which can be seen at 6.00pm on Sunday 10th September 06.
 PROGRAMME FIVE - SUNDAY, 3rd SEPTEMBER 2006 - VETERINARY NURSE RECEIVES SHOCK OF HER LIFE!
West Midland Safari Park's Veterinary Nurse receives the shock of her life during the fifth episode of the new 6 part television series, for ITV1 Central, based at West Midland Safari Park, which can be seen at 6.00pm on Sunday, 3rd September 2006.
During the course of a working day Lucy comes face to face with all kinds of dangerous animals and carries out all manner of tasks - from checking the heartbeat of a newly born lion cub, to diagnosing the ailment of an elephant.
Lucy Pearsall, Veterinary Nurse at West Midland Safari Park, first joined the company nine years ago as a 'Gate Lady'. Through dedication, determination and hard work she graduated to Senior Keeper and left to follow her dream of becoming an 'exotic' Veterinary Nurse - a vocation that in fact barely existed! She was fortunate to train with Vale Veterinary Group - a local practice that the Park has worked with for over 30 years. Lucy qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in March 2005 and rejoined West Midland Safari Park shortly afterwards. She is one of just a handful of Veterinary Nurses employed in animal Parks around the country that has the specific expertise that is required to look after such a diverse and exotic collection of animals.
Lucy is 27 and originates from Shrewsbury, in Shropshire.
To learn what the shock of Lucy's life was, watch Episode Five of 'Safari Park', which can be seen on ITV1 Central at 6.00pm on Sunday, 3rd September 2006.
 PROGRAMME FOUR - SUNDAY, 20th AUGUST 2006 -
SEALIONS DEBUT IN TV SHOW
Sealions debut in the fourth episode of the new 6 part television series, for ITV1 Central, based at West Midland Safari Park, which can be seen at 6.00pm on Sunday, 20th August 2006.
The Sealion Show at West Midland Safari Park is performed up to three times a day in peak season from the Sealion Theatre, which is located in the Discovery Trail area of the Park. With seating for 525 visitors, the open-air theatre has been re-themed in true adventure style to mark the debut of a brand new show, which has been created in-house, called "Findiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Shark".
The Show, which lasts for 20 minutes, begins deep in the African Jungle, where notorious Pirate, Captain Cod, is returning to his lair in the Temple of Gloom with first mate Sealion, Mr Clive. Meanwhile, Findiana Jones, along with his mate Sealion Mr Ivan, are determined to find the long lost buried treasure before Captain Cod does! This marine inspired Sealion Show comes alive with audience participation, and impressive performances from the Sealions and Staff. The first Sealion Show of the day starts at 1.00pm.
West Midland Safari Park currently has nine South African Fur Seals. They eat copious amounts of mackerel, herring and sprat and can live between 25 and 30 years in captivity.
West Midland Safari Park is open 7 days, including Bank Holidays, until Friday, 3rd November 2006. Admission costs £8.99 per person. The Sealion Show is included in the admission charge. Amusement rides charged extra.
Episode Four of 'Safari Park' can be seen on ITV1 Central at 6.00pm on Sunday, 20th August 2006.
 PROGRAMME THREE - SUNDAY, 6th AUGUST 2006 - TV STARS STEP OUT TOGETHER
The 'stars' of the third episode of the new 6 part television series, for ITV1 Central, based at West Midland Safari Park, can be seen at 6.00pm on Sunday, 6th August 2006.
The programme features the Park's four young elephants - which are affectionately called the 'friendly four' by the staff. The elephants arrived in 1998, when they were just five years old and measured only 5ft tall. Today, the elephants are 'young adults' in the peak of fitness and love nothing more than a stroll with the keepers.
Orphaned by the shooting of their mothers at a few days old, Jack and Tooth (males), Five and Latabe (females), were hand reared in a private elephant orphanage in South Africa, with countless others suffering the same plight. When the babies outgrew the orphanage, new homes were sought, hence their arrival at West Midland Safari Park.
To await the baby elephants some eight years ago, a £250,000 building project was underway. A new purpose built house was constructed together with everything from heating, telephones, CCTV, sand pits, hay barns and new roads, to employing specialist keepers.
 PROGRAMME TWO - SUNDAY 30th JULY 2006 -
THE CAT'S WHISKERS!!!
The second episode of the new 6 part television series, based at West Midland Safari Park, features White Bengal Tigers - along with Leopard and Cape Buffalo.
The collection of rare White Tigers at West Midland Safari Park started with the arrival of 'Tahas' and 'Tikva' from Junsele Zoo in northern Sweden in December 1998. Part of this episode follows the epic journey of Head Warden, Bob Lawrence, in his quest to return the pair of White Tigers to the UK, during some of the worst snowfalls that Sweden had encountered.
The Park opened the country's only drive through quarantine facility in 1999, costing in excess of £1/4m, following a landmark decision by M.A.F.F., allowing visitors to drive through the entire White Tiger exhibit.
During 2004 the efforts of the Park and staff were rewarded. First with a pair of White Tiger cubs born in May and then another four cubs born in October, which Head Warden, Bob Lawrence, said, "attributed to the dedication of the Keepers and Veterinary Staff".
West Midland Safari Park has the largest breeding group of White Bengal Tigers in the UK - extinct in the wild for over 50 years - West Midland Safari Park has 9.
 WEST MIDLAND SAFARI PARK SET TO STAR IN A NEW 6-PART TELEVISION SERIES
'SAFARI PARK' - New for ITV1 Central -starts on Sunday 23rd July 2006 at 6pm.
West Midland Safari Park is to be the subject of a new 6 part television series, which starts on ITV1 Central at 6.00pm on Sunday 23rd July 2006.
The Park, which is close to Bewdley in Worcestershire, opened in 1973; covers an area of 200 acres and has proved to be a massive tourist attraction.
Home to some of the rarest animals on the planet and the only place in the UK where visitors can see the African Big Five, the Park has also evolved to become an important centre for the conservation of wildlife species in the world.
Now, for the first time, cameras have captured the work that goes on behind the scenes for the new 6 part ITV1 series for Sunday Evenings, simply called 'Safari Park'.
'Safari Park' features a host of stories about creatures great, and small - from breeding programmes to the extreme lengths that staff have to go to care for the newly born arrivals.
Voiced by actor Paul McGann, the series also follows West Midland Safari Park staff to Africa, to compare conservation work that is being done at the Park's sister reserve in Namibia - Ongava - that has also become one of the most exclusive destinations in the world for discerning travelers and those passionate about wildlife.
Amongst the 'stars' of the series will be Head Warden, Bob Lawrence, who has been at the Park since it first opened. Bob said, "This is the first time that we have embarked on such major TV work and we all hope that the viewers will find our work every bit as inspiring and fascinating as we do".'Safari Park' comes from the makers of 'Heart of the Country', Kingfisher Television Productions Ltd for ITV1 Central.
|
|
  |
|
Help to pay for the care, feeding and general well-being of an animal for 12 months, plus you will also receive a special Adopt a Buddy Pack. |
|
