Keepers at West Midlands Safari Park began 2026 by carrying out their annual animal count, recording more than 1,000 animals from almost 100 different species in their care. The count is an important task required to meet zoo licensing regulations and to help manage conservation and breeding programmes.
Staff at the Bewdley-based attraction were responsible for counting animals of all sizes. This included some of the park’s largest residents, such as elephants, giraffes and rhinos, as well as much smaller creatures, including fish and even entire ant colonies.
Once completed, the final figures are sent to the relevant authorities and added to the park’s official records. While the count is a legal requirement, it also allows keepers to assess animal habitats, monitor health and wellbeing, and review the success of conservation breeding efforts over the past year.
During 2025, all animals born at the park were given names beginning with the letter N. Head of Wildlife Angela Potter said the growing list of arrivals included three Sumatran tiger cubs named Naresh, Nadirah and Nova, as well as three lion cubs called Nox, Nero and Nancy.
Other additions included an Indian rhino calf named Nurani, a northern giraffe calf called Namara, two blesbok calves, two barasingha fawns, four Eld’s deer, a chinchilla, red panda twins Nadiya and Nikisha, 11 Seba’s short-tailed bats and 18 lorikeet chicks.
Looking ahead, Angela Potter said that animals born in 2026 will be given names starting with the letter O. She added that staff are excited to see what new arrivals they will be counting in the months ahead.