Category: Animals
Published on: January 26th, 2024
Secret Life of the Safari Park was back for a fourth episode with more tales from the park and the life of our animals. This week, we dropped back in to see older male lion, Ted; Purple the common Eland, the arrival of Bactrian camels Marvin and Merlin, and baby Baboon Friar Tuck.
Ted
We first met male Lion, Ted in the first episode and this week we spend some time with him and our vet, Jen. Caring for an older Lion is an enormous challenge – especially when your best friend is determined to steal the medication he’s being given. Keeping Ted in great condition is essential to the health and well-being of the pride as a whole, but giving a 15-year-old lion a full health check is no simple task.
Find out more about our African lions here.
Common Eland, Purple
There can be quite a difference in weather between Northwest England and Southern Africa, so having a calf as the seasons turn colder can be a very stressful experience. Eland have a very distinct way of calving and leaving a newborn exposed to the elements could be very risky; so can following one of the keeper’s trucks and being surrounded by curious rhinos.
Find out more about our Common eland here.
Marvin & Merlin
Marvin and Merlin have come to Knowsley from the other side of the Pennines to grow our flock, so the new boys getting to know female camel Willow is essential. Willow is of prime breeding age so when Marvin shows a bit too much interest in Lilith and Baby, things don’t seem to be going to plan. Getting things to settle down in the herd takes a bit of time, but the pecking order soon sorts itself.
Find out more about our Bactrian camels here.
Friar Tuck
Who can honestly say that they never wished their Mum would stop fussing and leave them alone? Well, for poor little Friar Tuck and his Mum, Marion things might have started to go a little too. With the weather getting colder, Friar Tuck needs as much fur as possible to stay warm – the question is, will Marion leave him alone for long enough for his coat to grow?
Find out more about our baboons here.
There are lots of amazing stories to come in the weeks ahead so be sure to keep Thursdays at 8 pm free, or find it on demand via Channel 4 streaming.
