Party swinging
Animals help safari team celebrate their special day
Blair Drummond Safari Park celebrated the 50th anniversary of its opening on Friday.
Despite the coronavirus lockdown, the team took the chance to mark the occasion. And hundreds of wellwishers offered their online congratulations on the milestone many of them pledging to return as soon as the attraction reopens.
It holds an especially important place in the heart of Madeleline Pratt of Dunblane, who posted: “That means it is 50 years since my husband started working at Scotland’s African safari park. I didn’t start there till August that year. Met Jimmy and we have been married for 47years. Congratulations and hope we can all get to visit soon.” Helen Fraser added: “Happy 50th Anniversary to you all. Cant wait to get back and see all the lovely animals. You are all doing an amazing job in difficult circumstances so stay safe and hopefully wont be too long till we can all visit again.” “My mum and I visited when you opened all those years ago,” said Kate Deans. “Such excitement - and the monkeys ate the rubber seals around the windscreen of my dads brand new Volvo!”
Gaynor Hunter added: “Happy Anniversary guys. Hubby and I both worked there 30 years ago and our daughter did volunteer work a few years back. Great memories made here.”
The safari park team continues to work behind the scenes during the lockdown, caring for the many fascinating creatures and playing their part in global conservation efforts.
The park opened to the public on the May, 15, 1970. It was the brainchild of Jimmy Chipperfield - part owner with Sir John Muir and Keir and Cawder Estates – who felt it was the public who should be in their ‘cages’ (their cars) and the animals should be comparatively free.
The family-owned park was one of the first of its kind in the UK. It has an ongoing investment programme in place to ensure the park meets the exacting requirements of membership organisations which represent the best zoos and aquariums.
Over the last decade alone the safari park has invested millions of pounds in the upgrade of animal habitats and the park’s infrastructure across its 120-plus acres.
Visitors these days can enjoy a drivethrough macaque exhibit, Pets Farm walkthrough area, elephant house, and of course the ever popular lions and tigers.
They’ve yet to experience the park’s latest attraction - 20 hi-tech animated lifesize dinosaurs - which are sure to be a major draw when the lockdown is over.
Blair Drummond Safari Park’s longest serving staff member is park manager Gary Gilmour, who has worked there for 35 years.
He began working in the restaurant kitchens at the park in his teens but soon swapped dishwashing for mucking out, working his way through the ranks and learning about every aspect of the running of the park and about the animals it is home to.
Now under the directorship of current owner Hector Muir, the safari park remains an independent family-run attraction. With around 400,000 visitors each year, it is one of Stirling’s - and Scotland’s - most popular destinations.
The team has been especially touched by the support throughout the shutdown.
A spokesperson said: “They say time flies when you’re having fun. We can’t quite believe it. Fifty years of animal antics, adventures and conservation has really flown by and and we couldn’t be prouder of how we’ve grown in that time.
“Our celebrations aren’t quite as big as we’d hoped they would be. We promise that we will reopen as soon as it’s safe for us to do so.
“An extra big thank you for all the offers of support we’ve received during this difficult time. If anyone is looking to help our animals, or just want to treat their family when this is all over, then our animal adoptions, animal experiences and gift cards are a great way to do that.”
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