Safari Park Home
All Latest News
All Forthcoming Events
Opening Times & Prices
Visiting Us
Day Planner
Free Return Tickets
Organised Groups
Corporate Events
Safari Park TV Series
Adopt-A-Buddy
Employment
Contact Us


Series Two (2007)...

EPISODE EIGHT - SUNDAY, 1st JULY 2007 - DEADLY SPITTING COBRA ON THE LOOSE

The Safari Team headed by BOB LAWRENCE, flies out to Namibia to join snake expert and WMSP Consultant Curator of Reptiles MARK O'SHEA and KEN STRATFORD, Director of Research at West Midland Safari Park's sister park - Ongava Game Reserve, who have been conducting a scientific survey of the reptiles and amphibians within the reserve. The culmination of the trip leads to a dramatic capture in the eighth and final episode of the second series of 'SAFARI PARK' on ITV1 Central at 6.00pm on Sunday, 1st July 2007.

Mark O'Shea is on a three-week mission to document the snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs and scorpions within Ongava's borders. This huge reserve, which is strategically placed on the southern boundary of the world famous Etosha Game Park, is rich in wildlife including 27 White Rhino and 20 rare Black Rhino, which Ongava holds in custody on behalf of the Namibian government and its people.

During Mark's investigation he records and photographs many reptiles, amphibians and scorpions but fewer snakes than he would have liked and time is running short. So far the most impressive snakes have been a highly venomous boomslang, caught in the top of a mango tree, and a 2.0m python he removed from a toilet. Every species is important for research and all are measured, weighed, sexed, scale-counted and photographed for the project.

In the final days, Mark starts to find even more snakes. A house snake is found at Ongava Lodge; a bush snake is discovered in a tree at the reserve's capture boma and then something happens that makes the whole trip worthwhile. Mark encounters a highly venomous Zebra Spitting Cobra, but he is not wearing any eye protection and it is a struggle to capture the snake and not be blinded in the process. See how he does it in the final episode of the series of 'SAFARI PARK'.


EPISODE SEVEN - SUNDAY, 24th JUNE 2007 - SNAKEMAN O'SHEA CALLED TO MOVE GIANT ANACONDAS

MARK O'SHEA, herpetologist and TV Star, returns to West Midland Safari Park to co-ordinate the move of two of the largest and heaviest snakes in the Country in the seventh episode of the second series of 'SAFARI PARK' on ITV1 Central at 6.00pm on Sunday, 24th June 2007.

When two giant snakes needed to move home, it called for expert advice and knowledge. To move a fully-grown GREEN ANACONDA is not an easy task. This species can grow so huge because it lives in water that supports its immense weight. Mark has previously caught 40 in the wild - the largest being a stunning 6 metres and 73 kg - and therefore today's mission to move two of these mighty snakes to their new home, is not without its difficulties. Apart from the staggering 52 kg weight of the first animal, the move goes well. However, see dramatic footage of what happens next when the second, 48kg, Anaconda is moved.

This is all in a days work for Mark, who is already preparing to leave for Namibia and in next weeks action packed episode of "SAFARI PARK" see just what Mark encounters - and it is not for the faint hearted!!

Mark O'Shea is the Consultant Curator of Reptiles at West Midland Safari Park and is supported by Adam Richardson, whose daily task it is to care for the amazing collection of snakes and reptiles from all around the world, in the Park's magnificent Reptile House.


EPISODE SIX  - SUNDAY, 3RD JUNE 2007 - RHINO ON THE MOVE

West Midland Safari Park staff are faced with the task of making the preparations to move two of their Rhino to a new home.  Not a new home within the Park in Bewdley, but to another one in Spain, in the sixth episode of the second series of 'SAFARI PARK' on ITV1 Central at 6.00pm on Sunday, 3rd June 2007.

It is not an easy task to move 11/2 tonne rhinos at the best of times, but on this occasion not only is there the matter of coaxing the rhino into especially made traveling crates, but also getting the crates close to the rhino house and away again - the only way is with a crane.

It is a very emotional time for Park staff as Zulu has been at the Park since 1995 and Hope was the first rhino ever born in Bewdley in March 2001 during the foot and mouth epidemic.

Thanks to footage from Spanish television, the arrival of the rhino in their new home completes a successful task.


EPISODE FIVE - SUNDAY, 27TH MAY 2007 -
Q. HOW DO YOU CATCH A WILD HORSE?
A. NOT VERY EASILY!

Head Warden at West Midland Safari Park, Bob Lawrence, has his work cut out when he attempts to catch a 'wild' horse in the fifth episode of the second series of 'SAFARI PARK' on ITV1 Central at 6.00pm on Sunday, 27th May 2007.

Bob has worked with all kinds of animals during a career that spans some 35 years, even so, that doesn't make it any easier when he tries to catch up with the Przewalski's Horse ready for an all important foot 'manicure'. The farrier is waiting to get hold of the horses to file down their hooves, which have become split.

The Przewalski's Horse is one of the rarest in the world, thought to be close to extinction in the wild. The Horse's natural habitat was crossed from the Urals through Mongolia, but two horses have found a home at West Midland Safari Park.

Meanwhile, an operation is being carried out on two of the Park's Sea Lions - Bronze and Solo - in an attempt to improve their eyesight.

EPISODE FOUR - SUNDAY, 20TH MAY 2007 - A SAD DAY FOR BECKY

Senior Keeper Becky Wardle has her hands full caring for two lion cubs that have been placed in her care. Watch Becky as her daily routine is disrupted by the lovable cubs - Erica and Lionel - in the fourth episode of the second series of 'SAFARI PARK' on ITV1 Central at 6.00pm on Sunday, 20th May 2007.

Meanwhile, Bob is vaccinating various young animals at the Park, and not without difficulty. There's a stubborn, spitting camel to cope with that proves extremely difficult to get hold of, particularly with the protective attentions of mum getting in the way.

Head Warden Bob and his Deputy Angela make a dream come true for one local resident. Animals don't often leave the Park on a day trip, but today proves the exception. Erica, the hand reared lion cub, is being taken out on a very special mission and no doubt her visit will create everlasting memories for one very lucky lady, who's wish it is to hold a lion cub.

Finally, the day dawns, when Erica and Lionel, now too big to be handled, are taken to their new home. In this case it's to Oxfordshire. Becky says a fond farewell to the two little lion cubs, which have become a big part of her life over the fast few months.


EPISODE THREE - SUNDAY, 13TH MAY 2007 - SNOW SAFARI!

As West Midland Safari Park prepares to open for the season, last minute preparations are hampered by the worst snowfall that is seen in the area for 20 years. See how the team copes in the third episode of the second series of 'SAFARI PARK' on ITV1 Central at 6.00pm on Sunday, 13th May 2007.

Bob Lawrence addresses his staff - for some it's their first day - and it's all hands on deck to get the Park ready to open despite the 6 inches of snow on the ground. Never one to be deterred, Bob and his team battle on with the aid of snow ploughs and shovels to welcome the first guests of the season and for one lucky Leicester couple, it is a very memorable day.

The cold weather means an added danger for the newborns arriving into the world. Deputy Head Warden Angela Potter takes on the task of looking after an abandoned Black Buck and also a tiny Wallaby, whilst Bob keeps an eye on the rest of the new arrivals.


EPISODE TWO - SUNDAY, 6TH MAY 2007 - THE WHITE LIONS EPISODE

A "MUST SEE" FOR THOSE THAT LOVE BIG CATS!!

The only pride of rare WHITE LIONS in the UK is the subject of the second episode of the second series of 'SAFARI PARK' on ITV1 Central at 6.00pm on Sunday, 6th May 2007.

Cameras follow the trials and tribulations of the first ever White Lion cubs born in the UK at West Midland Safari Park in August 2006.  The four cubs, Kiara, Lara, Toto and Casper were first glimpsed by the public in February 2007, and this episode tells the incredible behind-the-scenes story of the intervening seven months - from the pregnancy of mother Maryn and the footage of the cubs first moments; to the first day the cubs went on show to the World. 

Watch as Veterinary Nurse Lucy, treats the cubs following an unwelcome pest and see how 'the famous four' are weighed and micro-chipped, ready for their debut into Kingdom of the White Lions, which forms part of the four mile, all-weather drive through safari.

In this intensely moving episode, see what happens when the cubs meet their dad for the very first time in the second episode of this 8 part television series.


'SAFARI PARK' THE SECOND SERIES ON ITV1 CENTRAL FOR SUNDAY TEATIME

EPISODE ONE - SUNDAY, 29TH APRIL 2007 - ON SAFARI WITH AFRICAN WILD DOGS

The second series of 'SAFARI PARK' starts on ITV1 Central at 6.00pm on Sunday, 29th April 2007 and for the next eight weeks, cameras will capture the valuable work that goes on behind the scenes at the Park situated in Bewdley, Worcestershire and at the Park's sister reserve in Namibia.

During the first episode, Deputy Warden Angela Potter, reflects on her working life and carries out a variety of duties during the course of her day. One such duty includes the very glamorous job of "poo patrol" for a project looking at the reproductive biology of the African Wild Dog, which is being coordinated by Edinburgh Zoo.

Meanwhile, Head Warden Bob Lawrence and Veterinary Nurse Lucy Pearsall are thousands of miles away in Namibia assisting with an operation on a similar African Wild Dog, along with tracking cheetah, during which Bob makes a momentous decision about his "dream animals".


Safari Park TV Series
- Series One (2006)
- Series Two (2007)

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.