WEST MIDLAND SAFARI PARK ANNOUNCES HISTORIC BIRTH OF THEIR FIRST EVER INDIAN RHINO CALF

West Midland Safari Park are thrilled to announce the birth of their first Indian rhinoceros calf. Arriving on Tuesday 8th September at 2:29pm, the male calf. is the first Indian rhino to be born on site in the Park’s forty-seven-year history.

Deputy Head Keeper of Ungulates, Shelley Tudor, said “We are absolutely delighted and have been waiting a long time for this moment. After holding this species of rhino for over ten years, this is our first calf to be born at the Park.”

“We acquired Seto and Rap as youngsters and have been able to watch them grow and mature over time; which makes it even more momentous to see them produce their own calf. He is a very special addition to the Asian rhino House, and we look forward to watching him develop, and maybe go on to produce his own little rhinos in the future!”

The rhino calf’s parents, eleven-year-old Seto and twelve-year-old Rap, can often be spotted by guests at the Asiatic section of the drive-through Safari, near to the state-of-the-art Indian rhino House built at the Park in 2009. Both Seto and her calf are bonding well together in a private area where keepers can observe them at a safe distance as they settle in.

Also known as the Greater One Horned rhinoceros, Indian rhinos are placid animals who are often recognised for their armoured and prehistoric appearance. The new arrival is not currently available for viewing, but he will eventually join his family at the Wild Asia section of the reserve where guests will be able to spot him roaming the plains and having lots of fun, likely covered in mud!

The Park is home to two types of rhinos – six Southern White rhinos and three Asian rhinos. Both species face threats in the wild such as poaching and habitat loss and are classed as ‘near threatened’ (white rhino) and ‘vulnerable’ (Asian rhino), by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

The calf is currently un-named, but the Park can reveal it will begin with the letter ‘I’ mirroring the naming of all other animals born on-site in 2020. It’s clear to see already that he will have a lasting impact on West Midland Safari Park, in supporting their efforts in raising awareness of the vital preservation of this fantastic species.

PAWSOME FIRST BIRTHDAY FOR PARK'S LIONS…

Staff at West Midland Safari Park have thrown a big, ‘king-of-the-jungle-sized’ birthday party for their seven lion cubs, who are all celebrating their first birthday this year.

The youngsters, born on 27 August and 17 September 2019, have been a popular sight at the Worcestershire attraction over the last year and although are still referred to as ‘cubs’ by their team of keepers, they are more like adventurous teens.

To celebrate the occasion, keepers created a range of giant eye-catching, animal themed gift boxes, which were filled with tasty treats and placed inside the lion reserve. As soon as the cubs left their sleeping quarters, they were instantly drawn to the mysterious parcels and spent the morning feasting, playing and having a ‘roar-some’ time together. Even the adult lions couldn’t resist joining in the fun, rolling around with the cubs and showing age is just a number!

Kate Atkinson, Senior Carnivore Keeper, said, “All of the cubs have grown in confidence over the past year and it’s been great to observe them as they mature and develop. The cubs love to have fun destroying things, and all types enrichment – boxes, paper bags or even trees in the reserve – are regularly chewed and ripped apart as part of their play.

“The cubs all interact really well together, and we have been able to see their range of different personalities come out, which has been brilliant. For example, Hercules and Hunter are both very placid boys who really enjoy exploring and seeing what the keepers are up to, but then on the other hand we have Havoc, a playful soul that likes nothing more than fooling around with his older relatives and even trying to push the buttons of his Grandmother, Kayli. Our females are also flourishing, with Hira bringing the ‘sass’ to the pack and Natty showing her maternal side with her mother Scar.”

The two litters of cubs were born to ten-year-old female Scar (mother to Hunter, Hercules, and Hernatty) and seven-year-old female Amber (mother to Harabi, Hodge, Havoc and Hira), within three weeks of each other and are all half brothers and sisters.

The seven cubs, made up of five boys and two girls, were first introduced to visitors back in February and have had endless fun settling into their new home throughout the year. The male cubs can expect their distinctive manes to start to grow in when they reach the age of two, making them very easy for guests to recognise.

Over the coming year, guests will be able to see the cubs on Safari as they continue to grow and thrive as part of the park’s ‘fearsome’ African lion pride.

WMSP Lion Cubs Birthday 27-8-20 pic1 copy

WMSP Lion Cubs Birthday 27-8-20 pic5 copy

WMSP Lion Cubs Birthday 27-8-20 pic8 copy

Rides available for 1.2m - 1.4m

photo-bigapple-coaster-2tickets-600px-500x350

African Big Apple Coaster

Desert Convoy

Flying Lion Kings

Jumbo Parade

Jungle Swings

Pirate Ship

Rhino Rollercoaster

Shark Island

Wild River Rafting

Congo Carousel

Dr. Umboto’s Catacombs

Hurtling Hippos

Jungle Cat Dodgems

Kong

Rescue Fire Rangers

Serengeti Gallopers

Slippery Snake Slide

Zambezi Water Splash

Monkey Mayhem (if accompanied)

Rides available for 1.0m - 1.2m

photo-bigapple-coaster-accompanied-2tickets-600px-500x350

African Big Apple Coaster (if accompanied)

Desert Convoy

Flying Lion Kings

Jumbo Parade (if accompanied)

Pirate Ship (if accompanied)

Rhino Rollercoaster (if accompanied)

Shark Island (if accompanied)

Wild River Rafting (if accompanied by an adult)

Congo Carousel (if accompanied)

Dr. Umboto’s Catacombs

Hurtling Hippos (if accompanied)

Jungle Cat Dodgems (if accompanied)

Rescue Fire Rangers

Serengeti Gallopers

Slippery Snake Slide (if accompanied)

Zambezi Water Splash (if accompanied by an adult)

Rides available for 1.4m+

African Big Apple Coaster

Desert Convoy

Flying Lion Kings

Jumbo Parade

Jungle Swings

Pirate Ship

Rhino Rollercoaster

Shark Island

Wild River Rafting

Venom Tower Drop

Black Fly

Congo Carousel

Dr. Umboto’s Catacombs

Hurtling Hippos

Jungle Cat Dodgems

Kong

Rescue Fire Rangers

Serengeti Gallopers

Slippery Snake Slide

Zambezi Water Splash

Monkey Mayhem