Baby Giraffes Venture Outside for First Time at West Midlands Safari Park
Two adorable baby giraffes have taken their first steps outside at West Midlands Safari Park, marking a significant milestone for the park's conservation efforts. The calves, named Namara and Olive, made their debut on Safari Drive under the watchful eyes of their mothers, Akacia and Arusha.
Meet the New Arrivals
Namara was born on October 8 last year, while Olive arrived more recently on January 20, 2026. Both calves had been waiting for warmer and drier weather conditions before venturing outdoors. Their first outdoor exploration coincided beautifully with Mother's Day celebrations, providing a heartwarming reminder of maternal care in the animal kingdom.
Head Keeper of Ungulates, Lisa Watkins, expressed her delight at this development. "We are thrilled that Namara and Olive have taken their first steps onto the safari and have met some of our guests," she said. "Over the last few months, both have been introduced to all members of the herd including their father, Rufus, within the comfort of the giraffe house."
Family Introductions and Personalities
The young giraffes received warm welcomes from other herd members during their outdoor debut. Their older sister Emali was among the first to approach, offering encouraging nudges with her nose. Henry, one of the oldest members of the herd, greeted the newcomers with what keepers described as a 'lovely lick.'
Watkins noted distinct personality differences between the two calves. "Namara was initially cautious and unsure of her new surroundings but soon settled down," she explained. "In contrast, on Olive's first day out, she had the 'zoomies' and was excited to explore all areas with confidence."
The mothers have played crucial roles in this transition. "The calves' mothers, Arusha and Akacia, have been exemplary - guiding, protecting and gently encouraging the babies to explore," Watkins added. "A beautiful reminder this Mother's Day that a mother's love is the first safe step into the world."
Special Ticket Offer for Visitors
Visitors now have an excellent opportunity to see these new arrivals at a discounted rate. West Midlands Safari Park is currently running a Buy One, Get One Free offer, making it possible to visit the calves for half price.
The special promotion includes:
- Two tickets for £32 (working out to just £16 each)
- Availability from March 9 through March 27
- Valid on weekends and even on Mother's Day (March 15)
To redeem this offer, visitors simply need to select tickets in multiples of two, and the discount will be automatically applied at checkout. The tickets provide access to numerous park attractions including:
- The four-mile safari drive
- African walking trail
- Land of the living dinosaurs
- Lemur woods and red panda retreat
- Penguin cove and hippo lakes
- Reptile world and twilight cave
Conservation Significance
The birth of these calves represents important news for giraffe conservation efforts. Both Namara and Olive are part of the giraffe EEP (EAZA Ex-situ Programme), which supports collaborative breeding initiatives between European zoos and wildlife parks to conserve endangered species.
Northern giraffes are currently listed as 'vulnerable' to extinction due to multiple threats including habitat loss, poaching, and climate change. Every birth therefore holds significant importance for the species' survival.
All calves born at the park in recent years share the same father, 15-year-old Rufus. The new arrivals have several older siblings including brothers Kris, Kingsley, and Mtembei. Interestingly, Namara and Olive represent the first female giraffes born at the park since their older sister Emali arrived in 2016.
Future Prospects
The calves will spend their first few years growing among the herd at West Midlands Safari Park, cared for by dedicated keepers and interacting with other animals. Park officials hope that in the future, these giraffes will move to other wildlife parks to have calves of their own, continuing the vital conservation work of the EEP program and helping safeguard the species for generations to come.
This heartwarming story of new life and maternal care provides a perfect family outing opportunity, especially with the current discounted ticket offer allowing more visitors to witness these special moments in wildlife conservation.
