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Elephant & Waterbuck Reserve.
As well as the African Elephants (Loxodonta africana) look out for the impressive Ellipsen Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) and the nimble Barbary Sheep (Ammotragus lervia) who will often be found on the rocky outcrop to the right as you go down the hill – if they aren’t around the car waiting to be fed! The large building around the corner, also on the right, is the elephant house where they overnight. It is well heated, has extractor fans to draw off the dust from the elephants (remember mud turns to dust when it dries!) and has separate quarters for each animal so that each can be individually monitored.
African Elephant (Loxodonta africana)...
The African Elephant is the largest living land animal. There are two species of elephant - the Indian/Asiatic and the African. We keep the latter. The main differences are clear. The African elephant is larger in bulk, has larger ears and the female grows tusks, whilst the Indian does not. A fully grown African elephant will have an average height of 3.2m at the shoulder and an average weight of some 4-5 tonnes.
Elephants are very sociable, normally living in herds of up to a hundred. These have a great sense of mutual protection, although depredations by ivory-hunters in the past have greatly reduced their distribution. In fact, our elephants were orphaned when only a few days old and taken to an elephant orphanage, where they were hand reared with countless others suffering the same plight. When they outgrow the orphanage, new homes are sought, hence their arrival at West Midland Safari Park.
The most remarkable and unique feature of the elephant is its long flexible trunk. Since the elephant cannot reach the ground with its head, it is needed to gather food and transfer it to the mouth. It can also draw and hold up to 9 litres of water at a time, either being drunk or sprayed out Two ‘fingers’ at its end enable the elephant to perform quite delicate operations.
Ellipsen Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus)...
Waterbuck are unique amongst tropical and sub tropical antelope, because they cannot withstand even moderate heat exposure without drinking. Like the lechwe (also from the African tribe ‘Reduncini’), distribution is always associated with water and its accompanying habitat forms like reed beds and tall grass. When this high protein diet disappears during the dry season, waterbuck utilize aquatic plants and browse.
Open grassland is only utilized if nearby water offers a convenient ‘bolt hole’ at the first sign of danger. They are strong swimmers and invariably make for deep water. Waterbuck are gregarious, living in small herds of 5-10 (to a maximum of 30) dominated by a mature bull who will probably be as old as six before he establishes a territory, typically of about 100 hectares.
The perimeter will be patrolled by ‘satellite’ males who will see off intruders, thereby, greatly reducing the risk of the lead male being injured. If he is, it is invariably one of the satellite males who will replace him. A useful contingency because, if necessary, he will defend his territory fearlessly – often confronting even lions if necessary. Only the males have horns but both sexes have the distinctive white ellipse or caudal ring on the rump. |
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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. |
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