Taking your kids off to a zoo or safari park is always a fun and informative day out, but there’s yet another reason to visit the following destinations – conservation. Not only are these animal enclosures supporting biodiversity abroad but they’re also doing their utmost to stop rare breeds from becoming extinct through poaching and climate change.
Some zoos and safari parks contain the only remaining species in the world. Through breeding programmes, they hope to help propagate the species, so we don’t end up with another Dodo situation on our hands.
Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo is famous for its conservation efforts and state-of-the-art enclosures. At Chester, you can see more than 11,000 animals. You really won’t run out of things to do during the whole day. You may even have to go back to complete the circuit! If you fall in love with the animals, you can adopt your own and opt to help promote conservation efforts.
Edinburgh Zoo
Any excuse to visit the beautiful, northern city of Edinburgh! Edinburgh Zoo is a great way to finish your day around AuldReekie. Edinburgh is run by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, and even contains a pair of giant pandas! This makes Edinburgh Zoo one of the leading movers and shakers of European conservation.
Knowsley Safari Park
With a blend of animal husbandry and research, Knowsley Safari Park aims to do its bit for conservation. This year, they have focused on elephant poaching. Knowsley is set in beautiful grounds and contains more than 700 exotic animals, including the African Lion and White Rhino.
Woburn Safari Park
Woburn is aware that to save animals, you have to support their natural habitat too; so they focus on a variety of conservation programmes, including environmental protection and war. Woburn targets educative talks, to get the public on board and raise awareness. It offers both a foot and road safari, as well as the exciting, treetop Go Ape; a treetop adventure trail.
West Midland Safari and Leisure Park
West Midland Safari is led by an acute moral compass. As animal keepers, they feel it’s their duty to do what they can for conservation and biodiversity. There’s four miles of self-drive safari to enjoy. Special animal food can be picked up, so you can feed some of the critters. When you’ve had your fill of fur and feathers, you can get goose flesh at the on-site theme park. We’d recommend the Wild River Rapids. Expect to see White Lions and Cheetahs!
Bristol Zoo
Bristol Zoo is dissatisfied with the amount of protected land allocated to wildlife reserves and rues the part human beings play in destroying the natural habitats of animals. Support their conservation work by roaming their gardens, seeing the animals, and having a go on the theme park attractions.
