Wildlife parks in the 21st century have a duty to work for the conservation of biodiversity. Here at the Safari Park, we take this very seriously and contribute to this cause in a number of ways.
Find out more about our research & conservation efforts…
Our research mission: “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’s Wildlife Team creates a list of priority projects annually. On the list, we lay out the pressing questions we seek to answer about our animals and our site.
Internal researchers, keepers, external researchers, and research students all contribute to getting these questions answered. We also contribute to projects initiated by external researchers from endangered species breeding programmes, other zoological parks, national and international conservation bodies and universities.
Some long-term research projects at WMSP:
Penguin data collection tool
Long-term monitoring of tiger behaviour
Keeper monitoring of white rhino
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
Our conservation mission: ‘To support conservation of threatened species and habitats, locally, nationally and internationally’.
Read more in our Conservation Policy – Click Here.
Supporting ‘in the field’ conservation
Supporting conservation, on the ground in the areas where the wild relatives of our animals live, is a crucial part of our work. We do this through collaboration with external conservation organisations.
Ex-situ conservation (conservation breeding)
Many species held in captivity are threatened with extinction 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.
Habitat protection and restoration
We cannot save animal species without also looking after their habitats. So, we have a responsibility to manage the Safari Park’s land in a way that is sensitive to the nature around us.
“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.
We have produced a visitors charter (below) to help our guests and those considering visiting to ‘be green’.
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.
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
Our Safari is a four-mile drive around in your car or coach, which we know produces greenhouse gases. Healthy forests soak up carbon dioxide. We take part in a scheme with the World Land Trust to ‘Carbon Balance’ the emissions produced by supporting their work to save forest. You can contribute by donating at the big money box in front of our Lorikeet Landing exhibit.
Find out more: www.worldlandtrust.org/what-we-do/carbon-balanced/
Minimise waste
All the waste that goes into our bins is sorted at the waste disposal site we use so that as much as possible can be diverted from landfill. It is great if our visitors can help us reduce waste, for example by bringing picnics which do not have lots of overly packaged items.
Don’t Waste Water
All the taps in our toilets are push button or sensor taps – so they turn themselves off. Therefore, we are helping you to help us save water!
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.
