West Midlands Safari Park to host week of fundraising events for lions

Protect Lions Week will run from June 17 to 25 at West Midland Safari Park and during the week, staff aim to inform guests of the threats wild lions face, as well as highlight the work the park does with their resident lions.

All the funds raised during the week will go to the African Lion and Environmental Research Trust.

A variety of fun activities will take place during the week, both at the park and online. Guests can take part in a free quiz, enter some competitions to win some exclusive prizes and enjoy lion-related crafts and games.

Additionally, on the weekends of Protect Lions Week, the Pprk is running some exclusive VIP Lion Tours. This will include a tour of the lion house, a tour of the lion reserve where they will watch the lions eat their breakfast and they will also get to feed them a chunk of meat.

Katie McDonald, research and conservation officer, said: “Lions are such well known and popular animals it is hard to imagine a world without them. Many people would be surprised to find out that African lions are declining in the wild.

"It is estimated that the lion population has reduced by over 40 per cent in just over 20 years. This is due to habitat loss, prey depletion and indiscriminate killing by humans. Because of this, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature lists them as ‘vulnerable’.

She added: “During Protect Lions Week we hope to make our guests aware of the threats to African lions and to celebrate this brilliant species. Lions hunt as a pride and our keepers are going to cycle as a team to raise as much sponsorship as possible.

"They will be clocking up 1,000km on a static bike beside our conservation tent over the nine-day period. We hope our guests will enjoy learning more about lions and will help us raise vital funds for these majestic animals.”

Further information and tickets are available from the park’s website at www.wmsp.co.uk or by telephone 01299 402114.