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40 years of history at West Midland Safari Park

From escaped baboons to film stars, Mark Andrews charts the 40-year history of West Midland Safari Park.

There were times when Bob Lawrence wondered what he had let himself in for.

Only months after starting work at the new West Midland Safari Park, the 23-year-old found himself facing the task of tracking down 130 baboons which had gone on the run after being liberated by a friendly antelope.

Then again, by that point he was grateful to still be in a job, after the 1973 fuel crisis threatened to shut the fledgling attraction almost as soon as it opened.

It is 40 years tomorrow since West Midland Safari Park, which was created in the grounds around Spring Grove country house in Bewdley, opened its gates to the public.

And Bob – there almost from the start – has had a fair few adventures over the years as he has seen the park emerge from a shaky start to become one of the leading tourist attractions in the country.

The official opening was actually performed a month after the attraction opened its doors to the public, when Hollywood screen siren Sophia Loren paid a visit with her film director husband Carlo Ponti, and four-year-old son Carlo Ponti Junior, or Cipi as he was known.

She was presented with a lion cub which had been named after her, and was taken on a special minibus tour of the 280-acre site, briefly stopping to feed a giraffe.

The park had been around two years in the planning, with work beginning in earnest during the summer of 1972.

Owner Hardwicke Companies Incorporated, which already had a game park in Montreal, invested a total of £500,000 in the project.

The company had bought Spring Grove House, a country pile built by industrialist Samuel Skey in 1790, which took its name from the springs bubbling up from the underlying sandstone.

The following months were spent building a network of roads and enclosures around Spring Grove's ample grounds.

Admission was £1 when the attraction opened, and the information given to customers was much more rudimentary during the first few years.

"In the early days, it was my job to hand out Johnny Morris cassettes to the customers as they came in," Bob said.

"The cassettes were a guide for people to listen to as they made their way around the site, and because not many cars had cassette players in those days, we handed out cassette players as well, and it was my job to try and collect them at the end – although most of them ended up being pinched!"

Keeping the baboons inside proved to be a problem from the start.

Within the first 10 days of the park opening, there were two escapes by the primates, who discovered a way to crawl under slow-moving cars as they left the enclosures.

A report in the Express & Star quoted resident John Birch, who voiced concerns after seeing men with rifles chasing around after a baboon was found in his garden.

The park's general manager assured neighbours that the fences were the best in the world, and said that steps had been taken to improve security at the site's gates. However, that was not to reckon with the work of an eland antelope, which managed to liberate the entire baboon stock the following year.

"I think he was rubbing his horns against the gate, and it fell open," Bob added.

"It was mad, they were all over the place, there were 130 of them.

"They were in the roads holding up the traffic, they were in people's gardens, they were everywhere.

"They came back with a lot of souvenirs – washing off people's lines and things like that,"?he said.

"They are very good at dismantling people's cars, but they are not so good at putting them back together again."

He said that while some people went out with guns trying to round the primates up, it ultimately came down to simply waiting for them to return.

"We put out some big bowls of fruit, and they all returned. Usually if you wait for it to get light, they will find their own way back," Bob said.

The sheer volume of visitors was also a problem in the early months, with huge queues of cars waiting to get in causing no little consternation among neighbours who had seen their peace shattered.

However, this was a problem which would very quickly disappear, when the park was hit by a much more serious blow during its first autumn.

"Six months after we opened, the Arab-Israeli War broke out, and fuel was in very short supply, and every drop was being conserved," he says.

"We were actually issued with petrol ration books – although we didn't ever have to use them – and visitor numbers fell to around six to eight cars a day.

"Everything was in freefall, and we were fearful for the future. We just hoped things would pick up, and, thankfully, the situation eased off after a bit and it was back to normal."

The sizzling summer of 1976 presented more problems. "It was a terrible time, people didn't want to sit in their cars with all the windows closed, so for a time we put the lions behind a fence," Bob added.

"That was there for a few years but after that, we went back to people driving among the lions, which was what we were meant to be in the first place." In 1978 a sea lion show was brought to Bewdley from the South of France, and for many years it was one of the most popular attractions during the summer months.

In the same year, the final stage of the Lombard RAC Rally was held around the grounds of the park, with the unforgettable sight of cars hurtling through the mud at high speeds around the animal reserves.

Other memorable moments in the park's history included a couple from Rowley Regis who asked for a wallaby to attend their wedding.

Eager to oblige, Wally the wallaby donned his best bib and tucker, and greeted the happy couple as they emerged from the church. A few months later, they emigrated to Australia.

While the drive-through monkey jungle was popular with children, the mischievous creatures proved too hot to handle.

In 1990 a monkey nicknamed The Artful Dodger escaped from his enclosure, and was at large for 17 days before being captured in Bridgnorth. A monkey hotline was set up for locals to report any sightings.

In 1993, 150 animals were added when Windsor Safari Park closed, and a regular shuttle service was set up to transport the animals, including lions and hippos, along the 116-mile route.

When the park opened, there were 447 animals recorded, and the choice was diverse if a little strange – a tortoise, a cockatoo, 14 fish tanks and a pony were all included in the inventory, along with a guard dog.

Today, there are more than 1,600 animals, with hippos, white lions and cheetahs among the big attractions. The park includes the UK's largest lemur exhibit, as well as the country's only drive-through wild dog and Indian rhino reserves.

"The focus is very much on conservation these days," said Bob, who is now 62.

The changing character of the park has been reflected in the attractions which have opened in the last few years, such as the African village with its meerkat area, and the penguin cove, which is designed to boost appeal during the winter months.

This year, to mark the 40th anniversary, the park opened its new Realm of Lions themed drive-through African lion adventure, and there are plenty of exciting plans for the future. A 250-room hotel, water park, railway halt and monorail link are all in the pipeline – and are due to be ready in time for when the park celebrates its 50th anniversary in 10 years' time.

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West Midland Safari Park celebrates 40 years

A look back at the highlights of the Bewdley visitor attraction opened by Sophia Loren in 1973 - and a look at what the future holds.

20:20, 19 APR 2013
Updated 14:12, 4 AUG 2014

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West Midland Safari Park has provided 40 years of wonderful animal magic!

The Worcestershire attraction reached its milestone birthday this week with a look back over the highlights of the past four decades and a tantalising glimpse of its future plans.

Film goddess Sophia Loren opened the Bewdley park in 1973 when its animal and reptile army numbered fewer than 450 – and included a guard dog, a turkey and a pony.

Now it has nearly 2,000 animals including the UK’s only pride of white lions and is heavily involved in animal conservation.

Delighting 1.3 million visitors a year, the park has had many highlights and seen its fair share of headline-grabbing drama, too.

The country’s first baby male white rhinoceros was born there and it has become home to the UK’s biggest number of cheetahs, white tigers and hippopotamuses.

A year after opening, 130 baboons escaped and had a night on the town in Kidderminster.

West Midlands Safari Park celebrates 40 years.

On another occasion the park was threatened by a huge bush fire, while park reptile specialist Mark O’Shea survived a bite from a deadly King Cobra.

Bob Lawrence, WMSP director, said: “In the greater scheme of things 40 years is a bat of an eyelid, which makes the tremendous strides we’ve made even more remarkable and I’m proud to have been a part of it.

“But life begins at 40 as they say – so watch this space!”

Now plans are in the pipeline to transform the safari park further with exciting, far-reaching proposals.

These include building a 250-room hotel, an indoor water park, a new rail halt and a monorail link which will connect the southern boundary of the park with Severn Valley Railway.

The aim is to give the park the glamour of a global four-star holiday resort and attract thousands more visitors.

Clowns meet giraffes at West Midlands Safari Park

Timeline - 40 years of animal magic

April 17 1973: The park was opened by Sophia Loren. Spring Grove House – previously the family home of the Webb family – was incorporated into the park and used as a cafeteria. Soon after, the first rides and entertainment were introduced.

1974 : 130 baboons escaped and spent the night in the local town – eventually they were all returned to the park.

1976 : During the worst drought in history, a huge bush fire enveloped neighbouring land and was halted at the park premises with the aid of helicopters and the Army.

1977 : It became the first safari park to gain membership of the Zoological Federation of Great Britain and Ireland.

1978 : A Lombard RAC Rally stage was held in the animal reserves. A resident Sea Lion Show arrived from the South of France.

1980 : The first hot air balloon meet was held at the park. That became an annual event for 17 years.

1985 : The first major rollercoaster ride was opened – The Cobra.

1987 : The Reptile House was opened in the then Pets Corner area.

1988 : “Wally”, a tiny wallaby joey, was hand-reared by park staff. An old hat was used to replicate his mother’s pouch.

1989 : After a very unusual request from a Rowley Regis couple for a wallaby to attend their wedding, Wally obliged, wearing a bow tie for the event.

1990 : A monkey, nicknamed The Artful Dodger escaped from the Monkey Jungle. He was at large for 17 days, before being captured in Bridgnorth. A special Monkey Hotline was set up for locals to report sightings.

1993 : 150 animals were relocated to West Midland Safari Park when Windsor Safari Park closed. Ongava Game Reserve – an associate park – opened in Namibia.

1994 : Rhino are released from their enclosure to roam free in the African Reserve amongst the cars.

1995 : White rhino arrived from South Africa to establish a breeding group.

1998 : Elephants were reintroduced at the park – orphans that arrived from South Africa.

1999 : Tiger World was incorporated into the safari – white tigers could be seen in the country’s first ever drive-through quarantine facility.

2001 : After almost 30 years of trying, the first baby rhino was born on March 1, following an 18-month pregnancy that was diagnosed with the help of the Zoological Society of London.

2002 : A new Sea Lion Theatre was built.

2004 : The UK’s first ever pride of rare African white lions went on show, representing the biggest ever single animal investment the park has ever made.

2008 : A major Cheetah drive-by was incorporated into the animal reserves.

2013 : Realm of the Lions – a new themed drive-through African lion exhibit – was opened in the animal reserves to mark the 40th anniversary.

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West Midland Safari Park looks back on 50 wild years

West Midland Safari Park turns 50 years old today and to mark the monumental occasion, they are celebrating with the animals that call the Park home.

For half a century, the Park has welcomed over 30 million visitors, bringing them closer to nature and inspiring the next generation of conservationists.

The Park first opened its doors on 17 April 1973 and since then, hundreds of species, many of which are classed as ‘endangered,’ have lived there, including elephants, rhinos, lions, tigers and giraffes.

Head of Wildlife, Angela Potter, has been at the Park for 43 years, making her the longest serving member of staff.

She said, “ We are very excited that 2023 is our 50 th anniversary and who better to join in the celebrations than all of our lovely animals. Throughout this special year, we will be providing them with animal-friendly cakes, presents and lots of enrichment to ensure we are celebrating our wildlife too.”

Many of the animals who live at the Park today were born there and are part of breeding groups for endangered species. This includes ring-tailed lemur Bakari, who turns ten on the same day the Park turns 50.

To celebrate, keepers treated Bakari and his troop to some birthday presents, which the lemurs loved unwrapping and investigating.

Meanwhile, over on the safari, the Indian rhinos have been treated to a huge birthday cake, covered in their favourite tasty treats.

The Indian rhinos first came to the Park in 2010 and are another conservation success story, with the first calf, Inesh, born in 2020. Inesh will soon be moving to another wildlife collection, to hopefully start a family of his own.

Angela continued, “It is more than a job - it’s a way of life, with no two days being the same and always wanting to come to work whether the sun is shining, raining, or even snowing! It is great to be able to raise awareness of the plight of the animals in the wild and make a difference by educating our visitors to care about them and our environment, as much as we all do here. To come to work each day and see animals such as rhinos, giraffe, lions and penguins is just amazing! Who wouldn’t want to do it? !”

The Bewdley attraction has an exciting history, from the moment it was officially opened, by famous Hollywood actress Sophia Loren, to a troop of 130 baboons escaping to spend the night in the local town all in the first two years of opening (all 130 were returned, not to the amusement of the neighbours!).

Managing Director, Chris Kelly, joined the Park in 2020, but as a local lad, he has been visiting for over 40 years. He has some fond memories of when he used to visit in the early days. He said, “ When the Park first opened, records noted a total of 447 animals, including a turkey, fourteen fish tanks and a guard dog! Thankfully, 50 years on, our current residents are a lot more exciting and we are proud that we house over 120 species, with more than 1,000 individual animals.

“I’ve seen many changes since being a guest, but none more so than the three years I’ve been MD. We’ve upgraded many of the animal habitats and facilities, donated thousands to conservation charities, welcomed new species such as red pandas and we’ve introduced onsite accommodation, so guests can stay with us overnight for the first time in our history.”

He continued, “ We have more exciting future developments planned and I truly believe that the work we are doing now is building a legacy for our incredible animals, especially for those at threat in the wild. It wouldn’t be possible without the continuous support from our guests, so I would like to thank everyone who has visited us over the last 50 years. Here’s to the next 50!”

As well as the animals, the Park is including guests in the celebrations with a whole host of events, giveaways and offers.

For example, guests visiting the Park today on the anniversary date (17 April) can buy tickets online with a 50% discount, using code WMSP50.

Later in the year, the Park will be hosting a conservation dinner with award winning TV presenter Michaela Strachan, to raise money for their five conservation partners.

Further information about West Midland Safari Park is available from the Park’s website www.wmsp.co.uk or by telephone 01299 402114. Find out more on the Safari Park’s official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/WestMidSafari .

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West Midland Safari Park

West Midlands Safari Park is a safari park located in Bewdley in Worcestershire, England. It was opened under the name of West Midland Safari Park in Spring 1973. The park holds over 165 species of exotic animals and features other attractions such as a small theme park. The park contains the largest groups of white lions, cheetahs, hippopotamuses and meerkats in the UK, as well as the largest lemur walk-through exhibit. It was also the first park in the UK to have the African big five game animals.The park is a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria. The Dhole and Cheetah enclosures in the drive-through safari are part of a larger heathland Site of Special Scientific Interest, which the park is restoring.

More information and contact

Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Midland_Safari_Park

Official Website http://www.wmsp.co.uk/

Email [email protected]

Phone +44 1299 402114

Address Spring Grove, DY12 1LF Bewdley, UK

Coordinates 52°22'35.199" N -2°17'33.001" E

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West Midland Safari Park Map and Brochure (1987 – 2023)

Location: Worcestershire, England

Years Active: 1973 – Active

Nestled amidst the picturesque landscapes of Worcestershire, England, the West Midland Safari Park stands as a captivating testament to the harmonious coexistence of wildlife and entertainment. Established on April 17, 1973, this remarkable theme park beckons visitors from far and wide to embark on a thrilling journey through a fusion of safari adventure and amusement park excitement. With its unique blend of immersive wildlife encounters, thrilling rides, and family-friendly attractions, West Midland Safari Park has become a beloved destination for both nature enthusiasts and thrill-seekers alike.

At the heart of this captivating park lies the immersive safari experience, where guests can traverse the extensive grounds in their own vehicles or hop aboard the park’s safari bus to observe a stunning array of exotic animals, including lions, tigers, giraffes, and rhinoceroses, in settings that closely mimic their natural habitats. The park also boasts a wide array of family-friendly attractions, including thrilling rides, a pirate adventure, and a whimsical Land of the Living Dinosaurs exhibit, ensuring that visitors of all ages can create cherished memories.

Recent visitor statistics reflect a steady rise in attendance, with an ever-increasing number of guests drawn to the park’s unique blend of entertainment and conservation. As part of its commitment to growth and innovation, the park has unveiled ambitious expansion plans, promising even more thrilling attractions and immersive wildlife encounters in the years to come, cementing its status as a premier destination for nature and adventure enthusiasts alike.

Is it worth going to West Midlands Safari Park?

Visiting West Midlands Safari Park is a worthwhile experience for individuals and families interested in wildlife and adventure. Established in 1973, this safari park offers a captivating opportunity to observe a wide variety of exotic animals in a semi-natural environment. With over 170 species and numerous interactive exhibits, including a drive-through safari, theme park rides, and educational programs, it provides an engaging and educational outing. Additionally, the park’s commitment to conservation and animal welfare enhances its appeal as a valuable destination for wildlife enthusiasts.

What happened at West Midlands Safari Park?

West Midlands Safari Park has a rich history of providing visitors with a unique wildlife experience. Since its inception, it has continually expanded its collection of animals and attractions to create an immersive environment for guests. The park is renowned for its drive-through safari, where visitors can see animals such as lions, elephants, and rhinos up close from the comfort of their vehicles. Over the years, the park has also introduced thrilling theme park rides, interactive animal exhibits, and educational programs, making it a well-rounded destination for both entertainment and learning.

How long does the safari take at West Midlands?

The duration of the safari experience at West Midlands Safari Park can vary depending on several factors, including traffic within the park and the amount of time spent observing the animals. On average, visitors typically spend around 2 to 3 hours on the drive-through safari portion of the park. However, this can be extended if one chooses to explore other attractions, participate in educational activities, or enjoy the theme park rides and shows offered within the park. To make the most of the visit, it is recommended to allocate a full day to explore all that West Midlands Safari Park has to offer.

West Midland Safari Park Map 2023

West Midland Safari Park Map 2021

West Midland Safari Park Map 2020

West Midland Safari Park Brochure 1987

West Midland Safari & Leisure Park Brochure 1987_1

Frederick Luna, is a a world traveler who has spent many family vacations at many different theme parks. Some of his favorites includes Legoland, Knotts Berry Farm, and Dollywood. Always ready to share info about his favorite theme parks!