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RHINO WHAT YOU WANT FOR CHRISTMAS…
Release date: 20th December 2018
Christmas is the perfect time to see friends and family, celebrate and exchange gifts. At West Midland Safari Park, it’s no different, with keepers celebrating the festive period with their extended family – the animals in their care.
Keepers across the Park have been busy preparing gifts and Christmas-themed enrichment: from shiny baubles for the penguins, to Christmas trees made of bamboo for the lorikeets. Out on the Park’s four-mile Safari, keepers have been putting a lot of effort into some gifts for the larger animals, including the Park’s crash of both Asian and southern white rhinos.
TAKE SOME WORK ON THE WILD SIDE…
Release date: 11th December 2018
West Midland Safari Park is proud to announce that it will host two special recruitment days in January 2019, to source potential employees for the 2019 season.
The initial recruitment day will take place on Sunday 6 January, with a second date of Sunday 20 January, for those that cannot attend the first. Both events will start at 9:00am and will be held in one of the unique locations onsite.
FESTIVE FANCIES FOR FEATHERED FRIENDS…
Release date: 4th December 2018
As many people across the country were busy putting up their Christmas decorations this weekend, the same was happening at West Midland Safari Park, but for the enjoyment of the animals, rather than the guests!
The Park is currently hosting its annual Santa Safari event and animal keepers have been thinking of some inventive, festive ways to get the animals in their care involved in the Christmas spirit too.
HAVE YOUR ELF A MERRY CHRISTMAS…
Release date: 16th November 2018
Staff at West Midland Safari Park are busy making the last few preparations for the Christmas festivities at West Midland Safari Park, with the help of a few special guests.
LEMURS HAVE A SPOOKTACULARLY GOURD TIME…
Release date: 25th October 2018
To celebrate the spookiest of seasons, West Midland Safari Park has thrown a ‘pumpkin party’ for its resident troop of lemurs.
As part of the Park’s month-long Spooky Spectacular event, which started on 29 September, over 600 pumpkins are being used to theme the walk-through areas of the attraction. Any surplus pumpkins are donated to the animals to be used as seasonal enrichment.
NEWLY NAMED BABY RHINO’S BIG DAY OUT…
Release date: 11th October 2018
It has been an exciting week for the new baby rhino at West Midland Safari Park, who has been introduced to his family, met his new neighbours and was finally named.
GIRAFFE-TED IN TO JOIN THE HERD…
Release date: 9th October 2018
Keepers at West Midland Safari Park are celebrating the birth of a Rothschild’s giraffe – a six-foot-tall baby boy!
The long-necked calf arrived at 5.45pm on Wednesday 3 October after a lengthy gestation period of around 15 months to second-time mum, Arusha.
THREE IS THE MAGIC NUMBER: THIRD RHINO BORN IN THREE YEARS
Release date: 1st October 2018
West Midland Safari Park is celebrating the birth of its third southern white rhino in three years.
Second-time-mum, Ailsa, gave birth to the male rhino calf during the early hours of Tuesday 25 September, following a pregnancy of 16 months.
Under the watchful eye of eight-year-old mum, the little one was given a brief health check by his Keepers and at just 48 hours old already weighed in at 67 kilograms (10 and a half stone)!
WIZARDING WONDERS AT WEST MIDLAND SAFARI PARK
Release date: 20th September 2018
Magic is taking over this year at West Midland Safari Park’s annual Spooky Spectacular, with even more exciting things to see and do.
Beginning on 29 September, the five-week-long festival includes a brand-new Wizarding Workshop, where children will help Walter the Wizard cast an invisibility spell by creating their own nifty wands and putting their spell-casting to the test!
SAFARI PARK OPENS STATE-OF-THE ART CHANGING PLACES TOILET
Release date: 22nd August 2018
West Midland Safari Park has recently opened a brand-new Changing Places Toilet, ensuring accessibility for all.
The state-of-the-art changing facility includes an adjustable changing bench, a ceiling track hoist and WC. Most importantly, the Changing Room features enough space for individuals to use the toilet in safety and comfort, with enough space for at least two carers.
DOUBLE STRIPES IN BLACK AND WHITE
Release date: 14th August 2018
West Midland Safari Park is celebrating the arrival of its second ever baby Grévy’s zebra born within a month of the first and this time, it’s a boy!
After 13 months of pregnancy, the stripy youngster was born during the early hours of Sunday morning and keepers were delighted to find the adorable foal already steady on his feet within an hour.
Born to first-time mum Montana and now second-time dad Quigley, the foal spent his first day on the Safari getting used to his surroundings and meeting some of the other residents, including a very inquisitive giraffe!
KIDS GET CREATIVE FOR CONSERVATION COMPETITION…
Release date: 31st July 2018
Local school children have been busy decorating huge animal models in aid of West Midland Safari Park’s summer of conservation
Created by one of the Park’s talented artists, the huge papier-mâché creatures, some measuring up to two metres long and over a metre tall, include a bumblebee, tiger, penguin, zebra and African elephant.
SAFARI PARK EARNS ITS STRIPES WITH BABY GRÉVY’S ZEBRA
Release date: 26th July 2018
Staff at West Midland Safari Park are celebrating the arrival of its first ever baby Grévy’s zebra.
The bundle of stripes was born during the early hours of Thursday morning to first-time-mum Akuna, who had a lengthy pregnancy of over 13 months.
SUMMER OF LOVE FOR ANIMALS…
Release date: 19th July 2018
West Midland Safari Park will be spending the summer fundraising for some of the most vulnerable and endangered species on the planet.
The Park’s annual Summer Nights event will this year focus on raising awareness for different animals each week, including bumblebees, Sumatran tigers, penguins, Grévy’s zebras and African elephants.
SAFARI PARK SPENDS A PENNY ON NEW TOILET FACILITY
Release date: 9th July 2018
West Midland Safari Park has recently opened a brand new toilet block, just in time for end of term school trips and the summer holidays.
The £500,000 project features an increase in cubicles for all, including a baby changing room in both the male and female toilets, two disabled toilet facilities and a state-of-the-art adult changing room, due to open later this summer.
DELE ELE PREPARES FOR THE WORLD CUP AT SAFARI PARK
Release date: 15th June 2018
Keepers at West Midland Safari Park have provided some World Cup-themed enrichment for the youngest elephant in their care.
Sutton, who recently celebrated his fourth birthday, seemed to relish the opportunity at playing with a giant football ahead of England’s first game in the four-week-long tournament.
CELEBRATE SUMMER EVENINGS WITH SAFARI VENUES
Release date: 11th June 2018
Safari Venues is getting ready to host a variety of new, exciting events over the summer months.
Situated in the grounds of West Midland Safari Park, there will be an array of themed evenings – from 80s Night and The Rock of Ages Experience, to a UB40 Tribute and Caribbean Night – giving guests a night to remember.
A TALL ORDER FOR CONSERVATION THIS HALF TERM
Release date: 21st May 2018
West Midland Safari Park will be hosting an exciting fundraising week during May half term, dedicated to the conservation of giraffes.
Giraffe Week will run from 26 May to 3 June, where guests will have the chance to learn about the threats giraffes face in the wild, as well as highlight the work the Park does with its resident herd. All the funds raised during the week will go to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF).
SAFARI PARK’S PRIDE FOR 45TH ANNIVERSARY
Release date: 15th May 2018
West Midland Safari Park is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year with the help of their pride of African lions, one of the first species to arrive at the Park at its inception.
Opened in the spring of 1973 by actress Sophia Loren, what began as a fairly small local attraction located in the heart of Worcestershire has now evolved into one of the largest attractions in the Midlands.
SAFARI PARK STAFF HAVE A BRUSH WITH THE PAST…
Release date: 2nd May 2018
Staff at West Midland Safari Park have been busy investigating the new prehistoric exhibit, Ice Age, in time for the May Day bank holiday.
A team of specialist staff, including expert geologist Dr Nock, scientists and animal keepers, have worked tirelessly to ensure the area is safe for visiting guests and the new prehistoric creatures that are calling the Park their home.
SAFARI ACADEMY GETS A GOLD STAR FOR EDUCATIONAL VISITS
Release date: 24th April 2018
The Education Department at West Midland Safari Park have recently been given top marks for their educational visits by being awarded a Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) Quality Badge.
Staff were awarded the accolade by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom (CLOtC), who recognises establishments and organisations that provide quality learning opportunities that coincide with the National Curriculum.
SAFARI PARK KEEPER RUNS THE EXTRA MILE FOR RHINOS
Release date: 17th April 2018
A brave member of staff from West Midland Safari Park is going above and beyond to fundraise for the conservation of threatened rhinos.
Ungulates Keeper, Matt Lloyd, is participating in the Virgin Money London Marathon this Sunday, with all funds raised going to Save the Rhino International (SRI).
A NEW AGE HAS ARRIVED AT THE SAFARI PARK
Release date: 26th March 2018
The UK’s largest Ice Age exhibit is set to open at West Midland Safari Park on Friday 30 March, just in time for the Easter holidays.
Ice Age is an immersive, multi-sensory experience, allowing guests to step back in time and walk amongst the magnificent creatures that roamed the Earth millions of years ago. The £1.25 million project has three distinct and interactive time zones and also features an enormous rumbling volcano and huge atmospheric ice cave, both of which can be walked through by explorers.
FERRETING AROUND FOR EGGSTRA SPECIAL TREATS
Release date: 15th March 2018
Staff at West Midland Safari Park are gearing up for their annual Easter event and even the animals are getting involved with the celebrations.
For this year’s Easter Eggstravaganza which starts on 24 March and ends on 15 April, keepers have been tasked with creating Easter-themed enrichment for the smaller animals in their care.
ICE AGE IS SNOW JOKE
Release date: 28th February 2018
Over the past few months, strange things have been happening at West Midland Safari Park.
An unusual mound that initially appeared a couple of years ago in an off-show area at the Park has recently grown bigger and bigger. Bizarre rumbling sounds emanating from the area have also been increasing, which staff initially mistook for sounds from The Land of the Living Dinosaurs.
TIGERS TRYING FOR ROAR-MANCE THIS VALENTINE’S DAY
Release date: 13th February 2018
Sumatran tigers at West Midland Safari Park are celebrating Valentine’s Day with heart-themed enrichment.
In hope of making a match made in heaven, keepers treated the couple to a heart-shaped and blood-filled frozen ice block. First to boldly approach the icy treat was 11 year old female, Hujan, who quickly took to playing with and licking the ice in an attempt to melt her companion’s heart.
ORGANISING A LEMUR’S BIRTHDAY PARTY IS A PIECE OF CAKE…
Release date: 8th February 2018
Keepers at West Midland Safari Park are celebrating the 16th birthday of their eldest ring-tailed lemur.
Birthday boy Irish was treated to a party with all of his ring-tailed family, with a birthday cake made of crushed leaf-eater pellets, garnished with apple sticks and decorated with chopped carrots in the shape of a 16. To complete the celebrations, the lemurs were gifted with colourful presents filled with tasty treats.
SAFARI PARK LEAPS TO SPONSOR WORCESTERSHIRE SCHOOL GAMES
Release date: 6th February 2018
West Midland Safari Park are delighted to announce that they will be the education sponsor for Worcestershire School Games in 2018.
Local schools have spent weeks taking part in numerous inter-school competitions, culminating in the county final on 12 February for the Winter Games. The Summer Games will take place on 3 July and will include some of the Park’s very own costume characters, who will be cheering the students on.
NEW MOVIE, EARLY MAN, SET TO ROCK WEST MIDLAND SAFARI PARK WITH EXCITING PARTNERSHIP
Release date: 30th January 2018
West Midland Safari Park will be holding an exciting event in conjunction with the new film from Award-winning studio Aardman – EARLY MAN.
Famous for family favourites such as ‘Shaun the Sheep’, ‘Chicken Run’ and ‘Wallace & Gromit’, Aardman (in partnership with film distributors STUDIOCANAL), has released a new prehistoric comedy adventure from Academy Award® winning director, Nick Park, which forms the basis of the Safari Park’s ‘Find The Tribe’ Trail, alongside a ‘secret cave’ filled with exclusive exhibits from the film set.
A FIRST FOR FENNESSY – BABY GIRAFFE TURNS ONE
Release date: 11th January 2018
Baby Rothschild’s giraffe, Fennessy, is preparing for his first birthday at West Midland Safari Park.
Born on 14 January 2017 to first time mum, Arusha, he joined the herd of eight giraffes and was already a towering six-foot-tall at birth. Still steadily growing since his birth, he has now reached a lofty 10-feet-tall, and the healthy youngster is showing no signs of slowing down.
PHENOMENAL FUNDRAISING SUCCESS IN 2017 FOR SAFARI PARK
Release date: 19th December 2017
West Midland Safari Park are celebrating the success of conservation efforts during 2017 and are incredibly proud of the money raised to support various animal charities.
Through staff and guest efforts, the Park has raised a staggering total of over £15,000, which will be split between animal charities and projects chosen for the vital work they do in conserving some of the most threatened species in the world.
ANIMAL BABIES OF 2017 CELEBRATE THEIR FIRST SAFARI CHRISTMAS
Release date: 14th December 2017
It’s been a busy year for West Midland Safari Park, who have celebrated lots of new births in 2017.
From a playful rhino to a teeny tiny pancake tortoise, these adorable animals have been lucky enough to have been given some festive treats from Park staff over the Christmas period.
THE GREAT SAFARI BAKE-OFF, STARRING MRS CLAUS
Release date: 9th November 2017
West Midland Safari Park have enlisted a special guest for Christmas this year, in the form of Mrs Claus!
The lovely lady has had her own custom-built kitchen made for her to bake some wonderfully tasty treats; warm chocolate chip cookies, mince pies and hot chocolate will all be on the menu and included in the Santa Safari admission price. She will also be assisted by the Park’s very own group of elves, who will be welcoming guests and ensuring they enjoy their exclusive experience.
FAHARI ON SAFARI: BABY RHINO’S FIRST ADVENTURES
Release date: 25th October 2017
Baby southern white rhino, Fahari, has had a busy month making friends and charging around the Safari Drive-through at West Midland Safari Park.
The adorable youngster, whose name means ‘splendour’ in Swahili, made her first tentative steps out of her paddock on 4 October and was soon running circles around mum, Keyah, and two of the older female rhinos, Mtuba and Trixie. Dad, Barney, was then introduced to his delightful daughter on 10 October, whilst mum kept a close eye on the little one’s antics.
SPOOKY OR SPECTACULAR? HALLOWEEN CRITTERS BUST COMMON MYTHS AT SAFARI PARK
Release date: 19th October 2017
Traditional Halloween animals have been providing less frights and more facts during the spooky season at West Midland Safari Park.
Often associated with magic and mystery, some of the Park’s smaller creatures have been busting common myths and showing how they are cool rather than creepy.
Cloaked in superstition for many years, bats typically epitomise Halloween with their mysterious behaviour and their love of the dark. Yet the Rodrigues fruit bats at the Safari Park have been showing how being ‘as blind as a bat’ is in fact a common myth. The ‘colony’ of 13 bats use their huge brown eyes to find their fruit and are extremely nimble when flying around their cave.
ELEPHANT CONSERVATIONIST, SABA DOUGLAS-HAMILTON, TO VISIT SAFARI PARK
Release date: 17th October 2017
Highly acclaimed elephant conservationist and wildlife TV presenter of This Wild Life and Big Cat Diaries, Saba Douglas-Hamilton, is set to visit West Midland Safari Park on Tuesday 7 November ahead of her visit to Birmingham’s Town Hall as part of her ‘A Life With Elephants’ tour.
Coming all the way over to the UK from her home in Kenya, Saba will be meeting Safari Park staff to talk about her work in elephant conservation and also meet some of the elephants themselves – including their youngest member, baby elephant Sutton, who was the first elephant in the UK to be born via artificial insemination.
TRICK OR TREAT AT WEST MIDLAND SAFARI PARK…
Release Date: 21st September 2017
West Midland Safari Park will be hosting its annual Spooky Spectacular event and this year there will be even more exciting things to see and do.
The month-long festival starts on 30 September and includes a brand new Trick or Treat Trail, where children will have to follow the trail of clues amongst the huge, life-sized sweets to find the gingerbread house. But beware – the wicked witch who resides in the house may either give you a tempting treat or a devious trick!
SAFARI PARK STAFF RIDING FOR RHINOS…
Release Date: 19th September 2017
Members of staff from West Midland Safari Park are going the extra mile to fundraise for the conservation of threatened rhinos.
The Park’s Operations Director, Darren Chorley and Operations Manager, Ashley Gillam, are both participating in the Birmingham Vélo cycling challenge on Sunday 24 September, with all funds raised going to Save The Rhino International (SRI).
SAFARI PARK CHARGED UP FOR SECOND RHINO BIRTH IN TWO YEARS…
Release Date: 14th September 2017
West Midland Safari Park is celebrating the birth of a second baby southern white rhino in the space of 18 months and this time, it’s a girl!
Following a lengthy pregnancy of 16 months, first-time mum, eight-year-old Keyah, gave birth to the cute youngster at 5:23pm on Friday 8 September. The long-awaited new arrival took around an hour to find her feet and was alert and feeding at around five hours old.
SAFARI PARK’S CANINE CONSERVATION…
Release Date: 5th September 2017
West Midland Safari Park will be hosting a special fundraising week, dedicated to supporting dogs in Africa who help to protect and conserve endangered rhinos and cheetahs.
Conservation Dogs will run from 9-17 September, whereby staff will aim to raise awareness of the vital role dogs play in conservation programmes for wildlife. All the funds raised during the week will go towards Save The Rhino International’s Dog Squad and a research project to aid the work of the Cheetah Outreach’s Livestock Guarding Dog (LGD) Programme.
TINY ANIMALS BEAT THE BACK TO SCHOOL BLUES…
Release Date: 24th August 2017
Whilst many make the most of the last week of the summer holidays, staff at West Midland Safari Park are gearing up for the start of term, with some assistance from some teeny tiny helpers.
To show that going back to school doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom, creative staff set up a minuscule classroom, perfect for some of the Park’s smaller residents to ‘go back to school’.
SAFARI PARK ROOTS FOR FAMILY TREES…
Release Date: 22nd August 2017
Last week, West Midland Safari Park welcomed some special visitors from the past – 80 year old Christine Bradley and her family.
Christine got in touch with the Park as earlier this year, she found a photo dated from 1973 (the year the Park opened), from when she took part in a government-sponsored campaign called “Plant a tree in ’73”. This scheme encouraged people to participate in planting a tree during the ‘national tree planting year’.
SAFARI PARK GETS ON BOARD WITH WORCESTER STANDS TALL…
Release Date: 7th August 2017
Inquisitive giraffes looked on with interest as sculptures of their long-necked relations visited West Midland Safari Park.
The unusual spectacle was part of celebrations marking the leading tourist attraction’s involvement as Education Partner in an exciting public art exhibition coming to Worcester.
SUMMER HOLIDAYS SET TO BE A GIGGLE…
Release Date: 21st July 2017
West Midland Safari Park’s brand new children’s play area will open tomorrow, 22 July, just in time for the summer holidays.
‘Giggly Park’ is an £850,000 interactive and multi-sensory play area, designed specifically for younger guests. It is all themed around popular CBeebies and S4C character ‘Boj’, a rare bilby from the Australian outback.
TEENY TINY TORTOISE CREATES TREMENDOUS EXCITEMENT…
Release Date: 19th July 2017
Keepers at West Midland Safari Park are in awe of their incredibly cute, tiny new addition — a baby pancake tortoise.
At about the size of a 50 pence coin, the little one, who hatched on 3 July, has been named Finn and is playing a big part for its species’ conservation.
BOJ BURROWS INTO BEWDLEY ATTRACTION…
Release Date: 7th July 2017
West Midland Safari Park is getting ready to open its exciting and brand new, themed children’s play area this month and the star of the show has arrived early to help with preparations.
‘Boj’, a rare bilby from the Australian outback, has burrowed all the way to the attraction in Bewdley with his musical parents ‘Pops’ and ‘Mimi,’ to make it their new home.
SAFARI PARK ARE HEAD AND SHOULDERS ABOVE THE REST…
Release Date: 14th June 2017
Staff at West Midland Safari Park are celebrating after winning two national, prestigious awards, recognising their service to group travel.
The first award was scooped at the British Coach Awards where the Park saw off competition from many highly respected national attractions, to win the best ‘Coach Friendly Visitor Attraction’. This was awarded to the Park for demonstrating their commitment to welcoming and developing relationships with coaches, their drivers and coach groups.
SAFARI PARK’S PRIDE FOR LION CONSERVATION…
Release Date: 8th June 2017
West Midland Safari Park will be hosting an exciting fundraising week, dedicated to the protection and conservation of lions.
Protect Lions Week will run from 17-25 June and during the week, staff aim to inform guests of the threats wild lions face, as well as highlight the work the Park does with their resident lions. All the funds raised during the week will go to the African Lion and Environmental Research Trust (ALERT).
SAFARI PARK IN A FLAP OVER FIRST EVER PENGUIN CHICK…
Release Date: 25th May 2017
West Midland Safari Park are celebrating the arrival of a fluffy Humboldt penguin chick, the first to hatch at the Park in its 44 year history.
Keepers were excited by the appearance of an egg on 9 March, which hatched five weeks later on 19 April, producing a tiny, cute grey chick.
SAFARI PARK SPARKY CHARGED UP FOR CHARITY…
Release Date: 17th May 2017
A brave member of staff at West Midland Safari Park has gone above and beyond to fundraise for the conservation of threatened rhinos.
Whilst the rest of the Park’s staff gear up for May half term’s Rhino Week (a week dedicated to the conservation of rhinos), Colin Mclarty, Electrician at the Park, is recovering from running the London Marathon, all on behalf of raising funds for Save the Rhino International (SRI).
SAFARI PARK STAFF GO BATTY FOR BATS…
Release Date: 2nd May 2017
Staff at West Midland Safari Park are hosting a special conservation week, dedicated to raising awareness and funds for bats.
Protect Bats Week will run from 6-14 May and staff, with help from the Worcestershire Bat Group, aim to inform guests about the amazing world of bats, including what species can be found in Britain. All the funds raised during the week will go to the Bat Conservation Trust (BCT).
CRACKING EASTER TREATS FOR SAFARI PARK ANIMALS…
Release Date: 13th April 2017
Staff at West Midland Safari Park have been treating the animals in their care to some exciting Easter-themed treats, as part of the Park’s Easter event.
During Easter Eggstravaganza eagle-eyed visitors may be able to spot some extra special egg-shaped enrichment in parts of the Safari, Discovery Trail and African Village.
EGGSTRA EGGCITING TREAT FOR MEERKATS…
Release Date: 30th March 2017
Staff at West Midland Safari Park are gearing up for their annual Easter event and even the animals are getting involved with the celebrations.
For this year’s Easter Eggstravaganza which starts on 8 April and ends on 23 April, keepers have been tasked with making Easter-themed enrichment for the animals in their care.
A BIG BIRTHDAY CAKE FOR A BIG BABY RHINO…
Release Date: 23rd March 2017
Ekozu, the baby southern white rhino at West Midland Safari Park, is celebrating his first birthday and keepers have treated him to a big birthday gift.
As an extra special treat, a giant cake was constructed, made of hay, apples, cabbage and carrots, all covering a carefully made, cake-shaped cardboard base. Keepers had an inkling that Ekozu would enjoy demolishing the cake as much as he would enjoy eating it!
SAFARI PARK TO LAUNCH NEW SAFARI ACADEMY…
Release Date: 21st March 2017
Staff at West Midland Safari Park are getting ready to launch their brand new Safari Academy, an education centre which will open this summer.
The outstanding, sustainably-built facility will feature five classrooms and has been designed specifically for visiting schools. Each classroom will be equipped with everything it needs to provide interactive education for groups of all ages, from pre-schools and nurseries, to university groups and adult learners.
HEART OF ENGLAND ATTRACTIONS GROUP SHOWCASES STELLAR YEAR AT PARLIAMENT…
Release Date: 13th March 2017
The most prominent tourist attractions from the Midlands came together, in conjunction with Visit England, to host a Parliamentary Reception at the House of Commons to raise awareness of a successful year for Midlands tourism.
The event was led by Heart of England Attractions Group (HoEA Group) which spans private, public and charitable attractions including West Midland Safari Park, Birmingham Museums and Drayton Manor Theme Park. The reception highlighted to high-profile delegates including several members of parliament the wide range of tourist activities the region has to offer.
SAFARI PARK LEAPS TO AID LEMURS…
Release Date: 8th March 2017
West Midland Safari Park will be holding a special conservation week, dedicated to one of the most endangered groups of mammals in the world — lemurs.
Protect Lemurs Week will run from 11-19 March and staff at the Park aim to raise awareness not only about the threats to lemurs, but also what threatens the only place in the world they are found, the island of Madagascar.
MOTHER’S DAY ARRIVES EARLY FOR SAFARI STAFF…
Release Date: 1st March 2017
West Midland Safari Park announced a number of important animal births over the past year, but it wasn’t just the animals who were experiencing a baby boom.
Whilst the rhinos, giraffes and African painted dogs welcomed new arrivals, there were eight members of staff who were preparing for their very own special arrivals, all within the space of a year.
NEWBORN BABY GIRAFFE IS AMBASSADOR FOR CONSERVATION…
Release Date: 16th February 2017
A rare Rothschild’s giraffe has been born at West Midland Safari Park – the third baby welcomed into the herd in just six months.
The six-foot-tall baby boy arrived on the evening of 14 January to first time mum, five year old Arusha. He joins playmates, Embu and Emali, who were born in August and September 2016.
SAFARI PARK CELEBRATE VAL-ANT-INE’S DAY…
Release Date: 14th February 2017
Animal keepers at West Midland Safari Park have been celebrating Valentine’s Day, with some very special gifts for the animals in their care.
Whilst the larger animals were treated to their favourite foods, keepers in the Discovery Trail made sure that the Park’s smaller inhabitants weren’t forgotten. This included the colony of 10,000 leaf-cutter ants, who were provided with rose petals, some cut into the shape of hearts, which staff had lovingly prepared as part of the morning’s husbandry.
NEW FAMILY SOARS INTO SAFARI PARK…
Release Date: 1st February 2017
A family of gigantic pterosaurs, have soared into the grounds of West Midland Safari Park and made it their new home, just in time for half term.
With a wing span averaging around 11 metres, quetzalcoatlus was the largest animal to have ever taken to the skies. It was so tall, it could have looked a giraffe in the eye and had the ability to walk on all fours, using its gigantic folded wings as front limbs.
FUNDRAISING SUCCESS FOR SAFARI PARK…
Release Date: 17th January 2017
Staff at West Midland Safari Park are celebrating and feeling extremely pleased, after handing over a significant amount of cash to a number of charities they fundraised for in 2016.
Over £14,000 was raised by staff and guests onsite, through competitions, donations and VIP experiences. Some funds even came from supporters online, who donated to the JustGiving pages from the comfort of their own sofa.
KEEPING IN THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT…
Release Date: 22nd December 2016
Whilst most people around the country tuck into their Christmas dinners, the keepers at West Midland Safari Park will be working hard, spending Christmas Day with the animals in their care.
The Park is home to over 600 animals made up of around 140 different species and every animal, from the tiny leaf cutter ants, to the huge African elephants will need to be fed and watered, mucked out and then tucked up in bed.
RECRUITMENT DRIVE AT SAFARI PARK…
Release Date: 13th December 2016
West Midland Safari Park has announced that they are holding a special Recruitment Day on 8 January, to support their annual employment drive for 2017.
A variety of vacancies are available, across a wide range of different departments including: Theme Park, Retail and Admissions, Food and Beverage, Games, Venues, Learning, Facilities and Wildlife.
CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN SENDS LEMURS LEAPING…
Release Date: 1st December 2016
Lemurs at West Midland Safari Park have been treated to their very own advent calendar, courtesy of some very special visitors!
As part of the Park’s annual Santa Safari event, Santa, Mrs Claus and their elf helpers have taken up residency in the Discovery Trail until Christmas Eve. Whilst Santa is occupied meeting all the boys and girls, Mrs Claus and the head elf have been busy making gifts for the animals and first on the ‘nice list’ were the Park’s troop of ring-tailed, red bellied and white-fronted brown lemurs.
THE SNOW MUST GO ON FOR THE ELVES AT SAFARI PARK…
Release Date: 10th November 2016
West Midland Safari Park has enlisted some extra help this year for the festive season in the form of 60 elves, who have been very busy indeed!
Lead by a completely new role — head elf — the team of Santa’s little helpers have been working extremely hard transforming the Park’s Discovery Trail into a winter wonderland, ready for Santa’s arrival. The big man himself is due to arrive on 12 November for the Park’s annual Santa Safari event.
SAFARI PARK DONATES DELICIOUS DECORATIONS!
Release Date: 8th November 2016
West Midland Safari Park has teamed up with The Real Junk Food Project Birmingham, for a nifty way of recycling some of their leftover Halloween decorations.
As part of the Park’s Spooky Spectacular event, around 1,700 pumpkins were used to decorate the Discovery Trail, African Village and Adventure Theme Park. After the event ended on 31 October, some of the pumpkins went to the animals for enrichment, some had already been munched by the resident squirrels and the others were destined for the compost heap.
SAFARI HANDYMAN WANTED!
Release Date: 25th October 2016
West Midland Safari Park is on the lookout for a multi-skilled handyman, to join its Facilities Team.
The permanent role promises to be incredibly varied, with no two days being the same and offers an ever- changing and challenging environment, supervising jobs from carpentry to plumbing and plastering to small building works.
TRICKY TREATS FOR SAFARI PARK ANIMALS…
Release Date: 13th October 2016
To celebrate the spookiest of seasons, West Midland Safari Park has been treating its furry, feathered and slippery residents with some peculiar pumpkin enrichment.
As part of the Park’s month-long Spooky Spectacular festival which started on 1 October, over 1,700 pumpkins were ordered to help theme the Park’s Discovery Trail, African Village and Adventure Theme Park. Any surplus pumpkins are donated to the Wildlife team, who use them as part of the animals’ important enrichment programme — and prove to be very popular indeed.
SAFARI PARK SEEKS ARTISTS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS…
Release Date: 27th September 2016
Staff at West Midland Safari Park are on the look out for budding wildlife photographers and artists, to enter their Safari Photographer and Artist of the Year competitions.
The competitions are open to all ages and abilities and include a variety of categories for artists and photographers to enter, with a chance of winning some amazing prizes.
SPOOKTACULAR NEW SHOWS FOR SAFARI PARK…
Release Date: 22nd September 2016
West Midland Safari Park is getting ready to host its annual Spooky Spectacular event and this year there are two thrilling new attractions for guests to experience.
The annual, month-long festival starts on 1 October and includes a brand new, spine-tingling adventure named ‘Dino Quest’. Daring explorers will have to make their way around Land of the Living Dinosaurs, searching for the missing dinosaur.
TWO RARE NEW ARRIVALS ARE TALL ORDER FOR WEST MIDLAND SAFARI PARK
Release Date: 7th September 2016
Staff at West Midland Safari Park are celebrating the birth of two Rothschild’s giraffes — one of the rarest sub- species of giraffe in the world.
The exciting new youngsters, standing at six feet tall, are the first successes of a breeding programme for Rothschild’s giraffe, put in place with the arrival of five adults three years ago.
PUPPY LOVE FOR 14 NEW ARRIVALS AT WEST MIDLAND SAFARI PARK
Release Date: 25th August 2016
Staff at West Midland Safari Park are welcoming the arrival of an adorable litter of African painted dogs.
Carnivore keepers were surprised to see not one, not two, but 14 little noses appear from the painted dog den on the evening of 12 August.
MORE CHANCE FOR PLAY THIS SUMMER AT SAFARI PARK…
Release Date: 12th July 2016
Staff at West Midland Safari Park have spotted the elephants creating their own waterpark fun, which guests can witness over the Park’s extended summer holiday period.
This year the Park’s ‘Summer Nights’ event has been extended to cover the whole of the school summer holidays, so will start from 23 July up until 4 September. Opening hours have also been increased from 9am to 9pm, giving the animals more time to explore, meet the public and play.
SAFARI PARK SEEKS STUDENTS!
Release Date: 28th June 2016
West Midland Safari Park is on the lookout for animal-loving students, to undertake its brand new Animal Management Course.
The Park’s Learning Department will be working with Birmingham Metropolitan College (B-Met) to provide a Level 3 Extended Diploma Course, for students aged 16 years plus.
AWARDS GALORE FOR BEST ANIMAL ATTRACTION!
Release Date: 16th June 2016
West Midland Safari Park has scooped a variety of awards over the last week, including the prestigious “Best Animal or Sealife Attraction” Award.
The Group Travel Awards, an annual event organised by Group Travel Organiser magazine, was held in London on 3rd June 2016. It recognises the very best suppliers to the group travel industry, from hotels and resorts, to airlines and large attractions.
MEET THE HANDSOME MALES…OF THE SAFARI PARK!
Release Date: 10th June 2016
This Father’s Day, West Midland Safari Park will be paying some extra special attention to some of their handsome male residents and they don’t mean the staff!
First to receive some yummy treats and a good scratch behind the ear will be Barney, the Park’s ten year old southern white rhino. Barney has had a busy few months, with the birth of calf Ekozu – the first calf he has ever sired.
SMALL MEETS TALL AS BABY RHINO ENCOUNTERS GIRAFFE
Release Date: 19th May 2016
Baby white rhino, Ekozu, has been busy meeting some of West Midland Safari Park’s larger and very inquisitive inhabitants.
Now at two months old and growing in confidence every day, both mum and baby have been exploring every corner of the African section of the four-mile drive-through safari. Naturally, this meant bumping into a variety of very curious animals.
TINY TUSKS REACHES THE TERRIBLE TWOS…
Release Date: 5th May 2016
Sutton, the gorgeous baby African elephant at West Midland Safari Park has turned two years old and has celebrated his birthday with some help from a local Beaver Scout Group.
Elephant keepers at the Park decided that there was only one birthday present Sutton would really appreciate this year — a birthday cake made up of mounds of his favourite food.
BABY RHINO ENJOYS FIRST DAY OUT ON SAFARI…
Release Date: 21st April 2016
Month old rhino calf, Ekozu, has had his first day out and about on the safari drive-through at West Midland Safari Park.
After some gentle coaxing from Mum, six year old Ailsa, the cute youngster was soon seen charging around, enjoying his first steps on the green grass of the four-mile safari.
SAFARI PARK CELEBRATE FIRST RHINO BIRTH IN TEN YEARS…
Release Date: 31st March 2016
Staff at West Midland Safari Park are celebrating the birth of a male southern white rhino calf (Ceratotherium simum simum).
After a lengthy pregnancy of 16 months, first time mum, six year old Ailsa, gave birth to the long awaited new arrival on Good Friday, 25th March. This is the first baby rhino to be born at the tourist attraction since the baby’s dad Barney, who was born in 2005.
AN EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA IN STORE AT SAFARI PARK
Release Date: 10th March 2016
West Midland Safari Park is getting ready to host its annual Easter Eggstravaganza and this year, the Park has a whole month of Easter fun in store.
From 19 March to 17 April 2016, visitors will be able to take part in a whole host of exciting activities and competitions, suitable for the whole family and all included in the standard admission price.
64 NEW ARRIVALS MAKES FOR A BUSY MOTHER’S DAY AT SAFARI PARK!
Release Date: 1st March 2016
Staff at West Midland Safari Park will be celebrating Mother’s Day by reflecting on a successful year of 64 animal births.
Over 50 mums, both new and experienced, welcomed little ones, with 15 of the Park’s species gaining new additions to their numbers — a brilliant accomplishment, and a vital boost for those classified as ‘endangered’.
MOVE OVER T-REX… SPINOSAURUS HAS ARRIVED!
Release Date: 4th February 2016
A ginormous spinosaurus dinosaur has set foot at West Midland Safari Park, just in time for half term.
Reaching a huge length of almost 50 feet, the new addition to the “Land of the Living Dinosaurs” is one of the largest and longest dinosaurs in the exhibit, staying true to scientists’ belief that spinosaurus was the largest predatory dinosaur to ever roam the Earth.
NEW YEAR BRINGS NEW JOB VACANCIES AT SAFARI PARK…
Release Date: 7th January 2016
West Midland Safari Park has started the new year with the launch of around 200 job vacancies, now live on their website.
Applications for nine different seasonal roles can now be applied for, ready for the start of the Park’s summer season. There are also two permanent administrator roles available, within the HR and Commercial teams. The jobs on offer span a variety of departments, including Theme Park, Food & Beverages, Retail & Admissions, Games, Park Services and Entertainments.
