Knowsley Safari Park asks for memories to celebrate 40th anniversary

Visitors and their 'classic cars' at Knowsley Safari Park

One of Merseyside's leading tourist attractions is asking visitors to help it celebrate its 40th anniversary later this year.

Knowsley Safari Park, which opened its gates for the first time in July 1971, is planning an exhibition which will look back at its four decades of caring for exotic animals from all over the globe.

Knowsley bosses want contributions from visitors to be a key part of the summer show.

General Manager, David Ross, explained: "As well as covering the major milestones in our history, we want the exhibition to reflect the impact the park has had on some people's lives.

"This could be because someone has visited us hundreds of times over the years, or because a bride was proposed to in front of the baboons in our monkey jungle!

"Other people may have a park-related treasured memory of a relative who has passed away, or a funny family snap taken here.

"We want visitors to get in touch with their stories, photographs and examples of old park memorabilia to provide a human angle to the exhibition," added Mr Ross.

Knowsley, on the Earl of Derby's estate, was the first safari park in the country to be created close to a large city - just eight miles from Liverpool city centre.

It aimed to replicate the experience of visiting the drive-through game reserves of East Africa, with humans "caged" in their vehicles and animals running wild.

Today, its 550 acres of parkland are home to more than 700 animals living in near-natural conditions, including many endangered species like the white rhino and Pere David's Deer.

"Thanks to the support of our visitors, the park has proved to be an outstanding success," said David Ross. "We're hoping that many of them will now want to play a part in celebrating what has been achieved over the last 40 years."

Items for possible inclusion in the exhibition should be sent to Safari Memories, Knowsley Safari Park, Prescot, Merseyside L34 4AN or emailed to safari.park@knowsley.com.

However, Knowsley chiefs stress that with a treasured or one-off item visitors should only send a copy or a description in the first instance, so secure delivery of the original can be arranged.

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