Olympian-imals Take Centre Stage at Longleat’s ‘Stars of the Park’

Animals across Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire have been getting in on the Olympic action showing off their sporting prowess with everything from wrestling to synchronised swimming.

Image: Wolves running, photo from Ian Turner

The opening ceremony took place in Paris on Friday, 26th July and the games run until 11th August but at Longleat, enrichment exercises are a part of the animals’ everyday lives.

Photographer Tom Anders captured oryx and eland fencing with their horns, lions wrestling and showing their artistic gymnastic skills while the sea lions raced across the historic Half Mile Pond. 

Image: Oryx fencing, photo by Tom Anders

Both the giant and Asian short clawed otters showed off their prowess with elegant synchronised swimming.

The cheetahs were captured sprinting at more than 60mph as they chased the feed wagon while the wolves were more suited to the longer distances as they raced at 25mph and the mischievous monkeys performed high jumps from the ground to branches.

Meanwhile at the Family Farmyard the wallaby and kangaroo showed off their long jumps – at times they can reach a staggering four metres.

Darren Beasley, head of animal operations, at Longleat, which was the first Safari Park to open outside Africa in 1966, said: “In the safari park we encourage the animals to hunt or chase for their food as they would do in the wild; the keepers will also make enrichment toys which encourages foraging.

“Our keepers and animals are the Stars of the Park and this summer we will be showcasing all the different activities daily as we encourage guests to get up close to our animals and find out more about the many rare and endangered species we care for.”

Stars of the Park is running until 1st September and will see pop-up stations across the park with different creatures and keepers featuring at the sessions each day.

“It’s an opportunity for us to talk about the enrichment activities, conservation and research with guests, answer questions and much more,” said Darren.