Knowsley Safari Park Knowsley Safari Park News 2016

0.1 Southern white rhino born.

https://www.facebook.com/knowsleysa...22745513769/10153822744868769/?type=3&theater

 

Planning Applications Grated for both New Tiger Habitat & Safari Lodge

https://planapp.knowsley.gov.uk/onl...ils.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=NXLLG7IXJ5500

https://planapp.knowsley.gov.uk/onl...ils.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=NXLO99IXJ5700

Spade went in the ground officially last weekend on the Tiger Habitat

 

Eastern kiangs

Does anybody know how many Eastern kiang Knowsley should have? Looking through news threads they received 2 adults and a foal in 2014, however visiting today I counted about 8. I was wondering if they had received the ones that appear to have disappeared from HWP? I counted 3 in the fenced off area and 5 in the drive-through.

 

From Knowsley facebook 17 March:

We’ve had 3 exciting new arrivals at the park this week, meet our lovely new Kiang! We have the only group of Kiang the UK. If you see our beautiful Kiang on your drive round the safari, be sure to send us your photos!

No info on where they came from though.

 

The last kiang left HWP on 8th March for Knowsley.

 

It is a real shame HWP went out of the species. Kiang is a species that really does well in that extreme clime (this unlike the more continental non humid Bucharan deer ...).

Back to Knowsley: the safari park is really making a big turn around. I am we'll pleased by their team and manager who are working tirelessly for a great(er) park for the local community.

 

Are these new ones born there- or three that have come from HWP? Did HWP lose some and then send the remainder to Knowsley?

 

Wildebeest, zebra and ostrich are now back on the safari drive.

 

The 3 new arrivals are from HWP to swell KSP's exisiting herd - Foal born at KSP last year as you most likely know.

 

Zebra and Wildebeest in Rhino section A (first bit on the drive when going in the usual direction) with the Eland & Rhino Females.
Ostrich in Rhino Section B (second bit when driving in the usual direction) with Forest Buffalo, Male Lechwe group, Waterbuck & Rhino Bull.

The safari drive was reversed over the easter break to ease congestion and look at visitor flow - this meant that you would enter the rhino section by the usual exit gate and hang a left past the houses where the new calf was on the yard with it's mother whilst the weather allowed - this does cause bottlenecks but people understandably want to see the baby and were happy to queue to do that. This makes Rhino B the first section you would then drive through (with Ostrich etc as detailed above).

 

Introduction of Male African Lion group into main pride

details here on the work currently underway to introduce "Sam, Mojo & Scooter" back into the main pride.

https://www.knowsleysafariexperience.co.uk/lion-pride-reintroduction/

 

That might explain why the carnivore loop was again closed on Wednesday morning(at least) owing to 'the Lions fighting'.

I was there chiefly to see the Kiang and they didn't disappoint. There are now twelve, which includes the three which came recently from HWP. They were altogether but with the new three still keeping themselves apart in the stabling area and the main group out on the reserve. But when the main group entered the stabling area there was some dramatic action with galloping, chasing and biting between some individuals- one even fell over. Not sure of the sex ratio but the main herd of nine was mostly females with maybe two males. I could not see the ex HWP three close to. Anyone know what sex ratio they are?

The whole place was very quiet and African reserves were pretty much as I had expected- a large number of Red(and White) Lechwe being the most numerous species. Unfortunately closure of the carnivore loop meant I didn't see the Asian deer/antelope section either, or the possible chance- yet again- of not seeing Spanish wolf. But it was also interesting to visit such a Zoologically historic site in beautiful parkland, for the first time.

 

Not sure of the ratio, but to see the herd if full flight is a spectacle to be seen, missing them already.

 

From my recollection the Kiang are mostly females - there is one adult Male "Alistair" and a Male foal that was born 12 months ago?
I think the rest are all females.

 

That would tie in exactly with my observations the other day.

It would be interesting to find out what the ratio of the three new ones from HWP is though.

 

A correction to my post - the actual ratio of Kiang is:

3.9

The ones from HWP were all females

The three males are:
Alistair
Khal
Takari

and there are three generations in the herd now too I believe!

 

Pere David Deer Rut Event After Hours

https://www.knowsleysafariexperience.co.uk/events/pere-david-rutting-event/

something new maybe?

Limited places so if you are a member and interested go for it - really not sure if none members can book but it doesn't say not even though initially it was mooted as a members only event.

 

New Arrivals Summer 2016

New Arrivals teaser signage on gate half way around the drive
building work around the old Otter Enclosure

heralding some welcome new species hopefully

Also new babies in the park include:

• Meerkat Kits
• Oryx Calf - sand paddock by Antelope house near the entrance of the new reversed drive
• Pere David Fawns
• Eland Calves
• Blackbuck Calves

 

The New Species Could Be Bison that Are coming to the Park Because There is a Silhouette of 2 Bison on the Poster?

 

Update on current development:

https://www.facebook.com/knowsleysa...45071598768/10154230696283769/?type=3&theater