Wildlife parks in the 21st Century have a duty to work for the conservation of biodiversity. Here at WMSP, we take this very seriously and contribute to this cause in a number of ways.
Find out more about what we do…
“To facilitate and initiate research that contributes to species conservation and the welfare of animals in our care.”
Wildlife parks and zoos have an obligation to support and encourage research which will improve the welfare of captive animals. In addition, research at captive animal collections can generate knowledge on topics such as animal behaviour, physiology and reproduction. This knowledge can ultimately be used to assist species conservation.
West Midland Safari Park carries out research projects from an annually revised internal priority projects list. We also collaborate on projects initiated by external researchers from endangered species breeding programmes, other zoological parks, national and international conservation bodies and universities.
If you have an enquiry regarding conducting research at WMSP, or would like further details about projects we have completed/are undertaking, please contact the Research and Conservation Officer: research@wmsp.co.uk
Direct funding of ‘in the field’ conservation
Funds directly from profits made by WMSP are donated to conservation charities to support projects which help conserve animals in their native habitats.
Direct Funding of ‘in the field’ conservation
Funds , directly from profits made by WMSP are donated to conservation charities to support projects which help conserve animals in their native habitats. The biggest contribution the Park makes is to the Namibian Wildlife Conservation Trust (NWCT).
The money the Park donates to this charity goes to fund research at the Ongava Research Centre. The centre does research which aids the conservation of the wildlife in Namibia by investigating areas such as genetics, ecology and animal behaviour.
Ex-situ conservation (conservation breeding)
Many species held in captivity are threatened in the wild. These and even some of those that are not yet classified as in trouble, are supported by well-managed captive breeding programmes.
Ex-situ Conservation (conservation breeding)
Many species held in captivity are threatened in the wild. These and even some of those that are not yet classified as in trouble, are supported by well-managed captive breeding programmes.
Having centrally-managed programmes means animals are swapped between animal collections for breeding purposes, ensuring captive populations are as genetically diverse as possible, therefore acting as useful back-ups to the wild population of their species. WMSP takes part in over 25 managed breeding programmes.
Habitat restoration
Part of the Devil’s Spittleful – a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) – falls within the WMSP boundary.
Habitat Restoration
Part of the Devil’s Spittleful – a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) – falls within the WMSP boundary.
We take our responsibility to look after this land, which is lowland heathland habitat, very seriously.
Lowland heathland is a habitat which has reduced greatly over the past hundred years. It requires protection and conservation management to preserve it. The SSSI forms the core of the work WMSP does for native British wildlife.
“It is up to us to protect the Earth.”
Like any responsible business, WMSP seeks to increase the sustainability of its business practices by minimising waste production, recycling where possible and using resources, such as water and electricity, efficiently.
Businesses and individuals all have a responsibility to use the planet’s resources responsibly. Wildlife parks work for the conservation of the species they hold and therefore businesses like WMSP have an extra reason for trying to be ‘green.’
We have a duty of care for the environment because you cannot conserve species without making sure their habitats are also protected from harm.
US – To view our ‘green’ achievements so far, or our sustainability policy, please contact research@wmsp.co.uk
YOU – We have produced a visitors’ charter (below) to help our guests and those considering visiting to ‘be green.’
Conserve Energy
If you come to WMSP in a vehicle, turn off the engine as soon as you have stopped in the car park. Idling engines use up fuel which will cost you and the environment.
Carbon Balance Your Visit
It’s likely you will come to the Safari Park in your car and go around our Safari Drive-through, therefore you will use up fuel.
You can offset your carbon use very easily by visiting the website of the World Land Trust, a charity supported by WMSP, which takes direct action to save rainforests and other ecosystems.
Minimise Waste
Reduce, reuse, recycle. If you are bringing your own picnic, avoid overly packaged goods.
Reuse your carrier bags. Try to recycle waste you produce. Pass on leaflets or maps to friends when finished with them.
Don’t Waste Water
Turn off taps as soon as you have washed your hands.
Respect Nature
Remember the animals you have seen at the Park. In the wild, they all rely on healthy ecosystems to survive. If you try to conserve energy and recycle in your daily life, you are helping preserve the environment.
Support Green Tourism Businesses
There are hundreds of business trying to reduce their environmental impacts through the Green Tourism Business Scheme. WMSP has joined this scheme – read more here.
Every year we choose five or six conservation projects or organisations to support. Each of our keeping teams has a chance to choose a charity to focus our fundraising efforts on for a whole week during the year. Our keepers also set themselves challenges and gain additional funds through sponsorship!
In 2016 we raised £14000 with our annual conservation projects campaigns. To find which conservation charities benefited please contact our conservation office: research@wmsp.co.uk.
Protect Lemurs Week
(11-19th March)
Protect Lemurs Week (11-19th March)
Raising money for the Lemur Conservation Association.
Funds will go specifically towards the Bristol Zoo co-ordinated project, working to support community-based conservation in the periphery of Sahamalaza National Park.
Protect Bats Week
(6-14th May)
Protect Bats Week (6-14th May)
Raising money for the Bat Conservation Trust. (BCT)
Funds will go to the BCT volunteer training programme.
This programme trains public volunteers to take part in monitoring surveys which give vital information to conservation programme planners.
Rhino Week
(27th May – 4th June)
Rhino Week (27th May – 4th June)
Raising money for Save The Rhino International (SRI).
Funds will be split between two SRI projects for critically endangered rhino species: Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) which works for the black rhino in Namibia and running a breeding programme at the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary.
Protect Lions Week
(17th-25th June)
Protect Lions Week (17th – 25th June)
Raising money for the African Lion & Environmental Research Trust (ALERT).
Funds will go directly to their anti-poaching programme for scouts in the Chizarira National Park in Zimbabwe.
Wildlife Awareness Week
(8-16th July)
Wildlife Awareness Week (8-16th July)
This is an awareness raising campaign, not a fundraising event. We will be affiliated with the EAZA ‘Let it Grow’ and the the BIAZA ‘Grab that Gap’ campaigns.
Conservation Dogs!
(9-17th September)
Conservation Dogs! (9-17th September)
Raising money which will be split evenly between Save the Rhino International’s ‘Dog Squad Programme’ and the Cheetah Conservation Livestock Guarding Dog (LGD) programme.
