West Midlands Safari Park are starting work on an exciting new development which will give their African elephants and cheetahs a brand new home.

The new spaces include brand new, state-of-the-art housing and outdoor spaces and will provide the animals with stimulating and enriching environments, as well as an amazing immersive experience for guests.

The new facilities for African elephants have been designed to include outdoor pools, enrichment areas such as mud wallows, dust baths and multiple feeding areas, plus it gives them the opportunity for 24-hour roaming. The development means the park will have the space to increase the numbers in its herd, subsequently enabling them to continue important work within the European Endangered Species Breeding Programme.

The cheetahs’ new habitat has also been designed to be as close to their natural environment as possible and includes a large outdoor space, with pools, high vantage points, enrichment feeders and natural shelters.

In addition to the new facilities, integrated into the new exhibits will be eight exclusive, luxury lodges, introducing the opportunity for guests to stay overnight, giving them an up-close and personal wildlife experience like no other.

Bosses hope that the first phase of the development will be completed by summer 2020.