Longleat, the UK's oldest drive-through safari park, marks its 60th anniversary with new lionesses, a young giraffe bull named Stanley, and a marathon fundraiser for conservation. Henry Thynne, 6th Marquess of Bath, pioneered the concept in 1966 to save his Elizabethan estate from death duties, allowing visitors to drive through a pride of lions.
New Lions Arrive for Anniversary
To celebrate 60 years, Longleat has introduced two lionesses from the southern subspecies, sourced from Denmark. The public is invited to name them from a shortlist of six. Darren Beasley, head of animal operations, said: "It is really exciting to have new lions arrive in our anniversary year. When we opened in 1966, we were the first drive-through safari outside of Africa." The park now cares for 18 lions across two prides.
Stanley the Giraffe: Too Short to Mate?
Stanley, a four-year-old Nubian giraffe bull, arrived from Chester Zoo on June 10 as part of the European Breeding Programme. Nubian giraffes are critically endangered, with only about 455 left in the wild. Lead hoof keeper Eloise Kilbane explained: "We have nine females so Stanley really has his work cut out for him. But because he is only four and not as tall as the females, he hasn't quite got the technique yet." Male Nubian giraffes can reach up to 6m (20ft), while Stanley stands at nearly 4m (13ft). The previous bull, Thorn, fathered 29 calves before his death in 2024 at age 23.
Keeper Runs Lewa Marathon for Tusk Trust
Lead carnivore keeper Caleb Hall, 38, ran the Lewa marathon in Kenya on June 27 to raise funds for the Tusk Trust, a British conservation charity. The race takes place in the 62,000-acre Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for protecting black rhinos. Hall said: "I am so excited as I will hopefully see plenty of African big game along the way." He aims to raise £1,750. Hall has worked at Longleat for 17 years, inspired by watching a lioness named Malika born on the TV show Animal Park. "She inspired my career in the first place," he said.
Longleat's Conservation Legacy
Longleat cares for over 120 species of critically endangered or vulnerable wild animals. The park welcomes nearly one million visitors annually. Its 60th anniversary events include the Longleat Motor Show Weekender on June 27-28. The safari park's opening in 1966 sparked parliamentary debate over the risk of lions escaping into the Wiltshire countryside. Today, its commitment to conservation remains central, with the Tusk Trust partnership supporting African wildlife protection programs.
