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 our Research & Conservation efforts…
“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 run six annual campaigns to help conservation organisations which protect the wild relatives of the species we hold at the Park.
We hold events at the Safari Park and members of staff from many departments set themselves challenges and gain additional funds through sponsorship!
In 2016 we raised £14,000 with our annual conservation projects campaigns. To find which conservation charities benefited please contact our conservation office: research@wmsp.co.uk.
In 2017 we raised over £16,000 with our annual conservation projects campaigns. To find which conservation charities benefited please contact our conservation office: research@wmsp.co.uk.
Giraffe Week
(26th May – 3rd June)
Giraffe Week Week (26th May – 3rd June)
Raising money for the Giraffe Conservation Foundation.
Funds will go directly to the Nubian giraffe conservation programme in Uganda. The Nubian giraffe is one of the most endangered types of giraffe.
Bumblebee Week
(28th July – 3rd August)
Bumblebee Week (28th July – 3rd August)
Raising money for the Bumblebee Conservation Trust. Funds will go assisting the trust conserve bumblebees and their habitats in the UK.
In the last 80 years, bumblebee populations have crashed. Two species have become nationally extinct and several others have dramatically declined in numbers.
Tiger Week
(4th – 10th August)
Tiger Week (4th – 10th August)
Raising money for the Wildcats Conservation Alliance. Funds will go towards the protect of Sumatran tigers in the Kerinci Seblat National Park in Indonesia.
There are estimated to be only 350-400 Sumatran tigers left in the wild.
Penguin Week
(11th – 17th August)
Penguin Week (11th – 17th August)
Raising money for the Global Penguin Society. There are 18 species of penguin and 10 of them are threatened in the wild.
The society runs many projects and aims to protect all species of penguin.
Grèvy’s Zebra Week
(18th – 24th August)
Grèvy’s Zebra Week (18th – 24th August)
Raising money for the Grèvy’s Zebra Trust.
Grèvy’s zebra could go extinct because its habitat and sources of food and water are under threat. The Grèvy’s Zebra Trust conserves the endangered Grèvy’s zebra and its fragile habitat in partnership with local communities in the Grèvy’s native countries of Ethiopia and Kenya.
Elephant Week
(25th August – 2nd September)
Elephant Week (25th August – 2nd September)
Raising money for the Mali Elephant Project.
This project works to protect one of the last of just two remaining desert elephant herds in the world.
