In recent years, Woburn Safari Park has developed a 15 year conservation strategy so that the Park can play its role in safeguarding the future of some of the endangered species.

Woburn is famous for its reintroduction of the Père David Deer into their native China in 1986 where they had become extinct some 80 years previously. This was the first ever successful reintroduction of an animal previously extinct in its native land. The deer are now well established and breeding well . Such a project is the Holy Grail of all animal collections. However, reintroduction will only work where there is still a habitat for the animal to be reintroduced to. Man is constantly encroaching into the animal's environment which can cause conflict. In Asia, elephants are causing problems raiding crops and consequently an estimated 70-80% of wild elephants in southern India are carrying bullet wounds. In Africa, increased logging activity into the forests has created easy access for hunters who are slaughtering gorillas and chimpanzees amongst a number of other endangered species for the bushmeat trade at an unsustainable rate.

Woburn Safari Park works closely with a number of other animal collections around Europe through the UK and Ireland Zoo Federation (the European Association for Zoos and Aquaria) in supporting captive breeding programmes which aim to maintain the genetic diversity of endangered species within the zoos and parks. In 1997 the Park brought three young Asian elephants to Woburn from India including a young bull elephant, Raja, who will provide important new blood into the European breeding programme. Other significant species held at the Park include Rothschild Giraffe (only 40 are believed to be left in the wild) and the largest of the big cats, the Siberian Tiger (approximately 300 are believed to be left in the wild). Recent breeding successes include the rare forest antelope, the Bongo, Vietnamese Sika Deer, recently announced to be extinct in the wild and the most endangered penguin species, the Humboldt penguin. Future programmes include Addax Antelope and Grevy's Zebra.

Another important role for all the zoos is to educate people, to inform them about the problems facing many species and inspire them to help. Woburn supports charities and projects out in the field who are fighting the frontline battle. These include Fauna and Flora International's Asian elephant appeal, the Ngare Segoi Rhino sanctuary, the World Parrot Trust and the first project in Chile to provide nesting boxes for the Humboldt Penguin. Zoos can also provide knowledge and expertise to support conservation efforts: earlier this year Senior Keeper Sarah Forsyth joined the international rescue mission to save the oil stricken Penguins on Robben Island in South Africa. Another Woburn Keeper, Rob Muir is to work on the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project in Thailand.

It is vital to raise awareness in all of us of these issues, whilst action can still have an effect and before it is simply too late for many species. One day the only place in the world that people will be able to experience the beauty and strength of the Siberian Tiger or the grace of the Rothschild giraffe may be at Park's like Woburn. It is not yet too late. The last 11 Pere David deer in the world were at Woburn in 1911. From these 11 individuals, the world population was rebuilt and returned to the wild. There is still hope.

Safari Drive

The Safari Reserves, with their wide open spaces, provide the perfect habitat for the park’s animals to roam freely and behave naturally. They also offer you the opportunity to get an unparalleled look at the world’s most magnificent creatures.

You drive your own vehicle through the reserves as often as you wish during the day. Each circuit takes between 45 minutes to one hour. You’ll experience the thrill of being right alongside White Rhino, Tigers, Lions and Giraffes to name but a few. On the Navajo Trail you’ll encounter bears and wolves running together, just as they would have in Britain around 1000 years ago. You’ll also drive your car through Europe’s most diverse primate reserve, spotting four different types of Monkey.

Some of the animals to look out for in the Safari Reserves are: Rhino, Eland, Scimitar Horned Oryx (Antelope), Sitatunga (Antelope), Lechwe (Antelope), Gemsbok (Antelope), Giraffe, Ankole, Zebra, Elephant, Camel, Bison, Bongo (Antelope), Lions, Tigers, Wolves, Black Bear, Congo Buffalo, Grass, Colobus and Patas Monkeys and Barbary Apes.

All these animals can quite literally be a windscreen's width away from you! After you have driven through the reserves park your car in the Wild World Leisure Area and book a ride on the Safari Lorry at Junglies Gift Shop (only available during main/high season, separate charge applies, see timetable for details) and we’ll take you off road (weather permitting) into the heart of the animal’s territories in the first section of the Reserves with Rhino, Antelopes, Giraffes, Buffalo and Zebras. It’s an experience not to be missed.