West Midland Safari Park

West Midland Safari and Leisure Park

Giraffes being fed by visitors
Date opened	1973
Location	Spring Grove, Bewdley, Worcestershire, England
Coordinates	52.3754944°N 2.2882462°W / 52.3754944; -2.2882462
Number of species	165
Memberships	BIAZA, EAZA
Website	West Midland Safari Park

West Midland Safari and Leisure Park is a safari park located in Bewdley in Worcestershire, England. It was opened in 1973.

The park holds over 165 species of exotic animals. The 4-mile (6.4 km) safari contains about 600 animals from around 30 different species from Europe, Africa, Asia and Australasia. Along with the 4 mile-safari is a large amusement park is a 'Discovery Trail' including reptile and insect houses. There is also access to Spring Grove House, the grounds of which the park is built in.

The park is a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). The wolf enclosure in the safari is a heathland Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

The park contains the largest pride of White Lions, the largest group of Cheetah, the largest pod of Common Hippopotamus and the largest walk-through lemur exhibit in the UK.

Animal Reserves

The 4-mile safari contains offers visitors the chance to come face-to-face with around 30 species of exotic animals. There is also the opportunity to feed some of the animals, with special food that can be bought on entry to the park.

African Reserve

A White Rhinoceros at the park

• Ankole-Watusi
• Burchell's Zebra
• Common Eland
• Ellipsen Waterbuck
• Giraffe
• Ostrich
• Red Lechwe
• White Rhinoceros

Reindeer Reserve

• Reindeer

Wolf Woods

• Grey Wolf

Asian Reserve

• Anoa
• Barasingha
• Blackbuck
• Chital
• Indian Rhinoceros
• Sambar
• Visayan Spotted Deer
• Wild Water Buffalo

Bengal Tiger Reserve

• Bengal Tiger

Cheetah Plains

• Cheetah

African Wild Dog Reserve

An African Lion and Lioness at the Park

Two African Elephants at the Park

• African Wild Dog

African Lion Reserve

• African Lion
• White Lion

Eurasian Reserve

• Bactrian Camel
• Banteng
• Gemsbok
• Nilgai
• Père David's Deer

Addax Reserve

• Addax

Elephant Reserve

• African Elephant
• Barbary Sheep

Discovery Trail

Discovery Trail consists of mostly indoor exhibits, and includes animal encounters throughout the day where staff allows visitors to get up close and personal to animals found in the Discovery Trail.

Sea Lion Theatre

The park's California Sea Lions show off their tricks in a 525 seat theatre.

Animal Encounters

Staff allow visitors to get up close and personal to animals found in the Discovery Trail.

Creepy Crawlies

The park's insect house, which includes Goliath Bird-Eater Spiders, Leafcutter Ants, Locusts, Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches and Scorpions amongst many other creepy crawlies.

Twilight Cave

The Twilight Cave is a walk-through exhibit, containing free-flying bats. There is also a small exhibit featuring other nocturnal habitats in the Twilight Cave. Animals found in the Twilight Cave include Aye-Aye, Malagasy Giant Rat, Rodrigues Flying Fox, and Seba's Short-Tailed Bat.

SeaQuarium

The park's aquarium which includes Chocolate Chip Stars, Piranhas and Stone Fish, amongst many other species of fish.

Mark O'Shea's Reptile World

The park's reptile house, which includes Boas, Cobras, Crocodiles, Dart Frogs, Pythons, Rattlesnakes, Snapping Turtles and Vipers amongst many other reptiles and amphibians.

Hippo Lakes

The hippo lakes can be viewed from above via the viewing platform, allowing you to see the largest family group of hippos in the UK. The species found at the park are the Common Hippopotamus.

Penguin Cove

This exhibit shows off the park's Humboldt Penguins. The exhibit contains a semi-submerged beach, pool, sculptures, penguin house and public viewing areas.

Black-And-White Ruffed Lemurs

Here can be seen the park's small group of Black-And-White Ruffed Lemurs

African Village & Lemur Woods

African Village

The African Village is an interactive walk-through area, allowing visitors to see African village wildlife and a replica African Village Home. The African Village contains a walk-through area containing Cameroon Sheep, Pygmy Goats and Somali Sheep.

Lemur Woods

In the wooded area towards the rear of the amusement park can be found the largest walk-through lemur exhibit in the UK. The lemurs are free to roam around the walkway and the woods, making this an interactive experience for visitors. There are three species of lemur on display in the woods:

• Red-Bellied Lemur
• Ring-Tailed Lemur
• White-Headed Lemur

Meet The Meerkats

Also included in this exhibit is a group of Meerkats. Visitors are able to see them up close as they explore their surroundings.

Rides & Attractions

There are many rides and attractions found in the amusement park. Wristbands can be bought from the kiosk to allow an unlimited number of rides. However, tickets are also available for purchase for individual rides.

List of rides 

Cubs Kingdom

Cubs Kingdom contains seven rides and attractions for young children to use. These are:

• Animal Ark
• Flying Pandas
• Moroccan Magic Carpet
• Red Baron
• Rhino Roundabout
• Serengeti Gallopers
• Simba Kiddies Train

Family Fun

These rides are designed for the whole family, from youngsters to the elderly.

• African Big Apple Coaster
• Congo Carousel
• Desert Convoy
• Dr Umboto's Catacombs
• Dune Dashers
• Flying Lion Kings
• Jumbo Parade
• Jungle Cat Dodgems
• Jungle Swings
• Rescue Rangers
• Slippery Snake Slide

Thrill Rides

For the thrillseekers, these rides are not for the faint-hearted.

• Black Fly
• Pirate Ship
• Rhino Rollercoaster
• Twister Coaster
• Venom Tower Drop
• Wild River Rafting
• Zambezi Water Splash

Food

Found throughout the amusement area are many eateries. These include cafes, such as Explorer's Cafe, fast food restaurants, such as Botswana Burger Company and food stalls that are dotted around the rides.

Souvenirs

There are a number of gift shops found in the amusement area, and these sell a number of products, from guide books to soft toys.

Safari Express Railway

A 15 in (381 mm) narrow gauge railway runs between the main car park and the amusement area. Services are operated by a 2-8-0 steam outline diesel locomotive, built by Severn Lamb in 1979. The engine usually runs chimney first to the amusement area, running tender first on the return trip. This railway, when operating, provides a scenic ride between the amusement area and the car park. The track makes its way along the back of the walkways and crosses access-roads via level crossings. The line then rounds the Hippo enclosure before arriving at its terminus adjacent to the African Big Apple Coaster.

Expansion Plans

Plans are in place to build a safari themed hotel and water park at the park.

Conservation

The park contains many animals that are on the IUCN's endangered list. These animals include Anoa, Visayan Spotted Deer, Wild Water Buffalo, Bengal Tiger, African Wild Dog, Banteng and Malagasy Giant Rat . The park also holds the critically endangered Addax, Bactrian Camel, Black-And-White Ruffed Lemur and Rodrigues Flying Fox. The Père David's Deer is also housed at the park, and this species is extinct in the wild.

External links

• Official website