The Bedford Estates, LondonWhat a year! From keepers leaping out of planes (voluntarily!) to tiny new faces in the treetops, 2025 has been packed with wins, wobbly baby legs, and world-first moments.
Making a difference together
Thanks to your generosity and the Park's dedicated keepers’ hard work, Woburn Safari Park raised over £27,000 for selected animal conservation charities this year.
This year, two keepers went the extra mile and took on their own fundraising challenges. Head of Elephants, Tommy powered through a half-marathon, while keeper Jaz took fundraising to new heights… by jumping out of a plane. All in support of Mahouts Elephant Foundation.
Video Credit: Hinton Skydiving Centre
The Park also teamed up with artist Leah Wood, who created a stunning mural of Amur tiger Vera to help raise funds for the Wildcats Conservation Alliance. The portrait reflects Leah’s deep connection to nature and the shared commitment to protecting wildlife and conserving species.
Big News and Tiny Tails
Two critically endangered Eastern Mountain bongo calves were born at Woburn this year, a significant step for the conservation of this rare species. With fewer than 100 left in the wild, every birth matters, supported by dedicated keeper care, managed breeding programmes and conservation partnerships.
The most recent bongo arrival, Zari, is the first female bongo born at the Park in over a decade, and with Djembe in 2024, followed by Ziggy in the spring, that's three bongo calves in a row… a full-on bongo bingo winning streak!
They weren't the only new faces, either. Keepers also welcomed squirrel monkey babies, otter pups, penguin chicks, alpacas, and a baby Bactrian camel, quite possibly the cutest wobbling fluff-ball this year.
The Park's family grew with some wonderful newcomers like, male lion Lonka, five dwarf forest buffalo, the friendliest donkeys, and red-bellied lemur Tany. PLUS, the return of the capybara, enjoying a specially designed new Foot Safari home.
Tiny Tracks, Big Impact
This year, Woburn teamed up with BIAZA, the Mammal Society and Wildwood Trust for ‘Where's Harvey?’ - a campaign encouraging the public to help track Britain's tiniest, most easily overlooked mammals: harvest mice. Every sighting helps build the national picture for conservation.
The tallest of challenges
One of the year’s boldest moments saw Sahara, the Nubian giraffe, undergo a rare and high-risk surgery to correct a 'locking stifle' that was affecting her mobility. Giraffe procedures are especially complex due to their unique anatomy and sensitivity to anaesthetics. Thanks to an incredible “giraffe support squad” of Woburn’s keepers, veterinary team, students and specialist equine surgeons from Rossdales Equine Hospital, the procedure was a success, and Sahara is now fully recovered.
These are just a few of the moments that made 2025 unforgettable. Thank you for visiting, donating, sharing, and cheering us on. Your support makes all of this possible.
Here's to more tales of all sizes, conservation wins, and safari adventures in 2026!