He's Behind You!

There's one young male lion at West Midland Safari Park experiencing a touch of the January blues.

After a hectic December with lots of visitors popping in to see Santa Claus every day, Charlie the 17-month old male lion was never short of attention in Realm of the Lions - the latest exhibit to form part of the four-mile safari. 

As with any cat, Charlie would suss out the best spot to get the most out of the scarce winter sunshine - on this occasion it was on a sandstone mound that just happened to have the perfect view of visitors as they approached in their vehicles. Visitors too enjoyed the view - seeing Charlie poised like a sphinx with the rockwork lion sculpture that forms part of the exhibit, towering behind him, was indeed a very unusual sight. 

During January, however, West Midland Safari Park is in its Wild Winter Weekend season - which means that between Monday and Friday when the Park is closed, Charlie has no visitors, but he still waits in the winter sunshine. Naturally, come Saturdays and Sundays, Charlie is in his element, when visitors return and once again he can take centre stage. 

Realm of the Lions was opened in 2013 to celebrate the Park's 40th Anniversary. The entire exhibit has been fully landscaped to create the appearance of savannah grassland and themed with boulders, plants and rockwork from which a waterfall cascades into a pool below. More importantly the entire area that spans almost seven and a half acres, provides important and essential enrichment for the Park's pride of 12 African lions. 

Standard winter prices are £13.50 for adults, £10.50 for children aged

3-15 years and £12.50 for concessions. Children under 3 years are admitted free of charge. Prices include admission to the drive-through safari, Discovery Trail with all weather attractions - Creepy Crawlies, Mark O'Shea's Reptile World, Seaquarium and Twilight Cave - along with Penguin Cove, Sea Lion Show, Animal Encounters, Meerkat Mayhem and Walking with Lemurs. Admission also includes a free return ticket.

Further information by phone 01299 402114 or website www.wmsp.co.uk 

West Midland Safari Park fully reopens on Saturday, 15th February 2014.