Memories of the Safari Park

THE Causeway Safari Park, situated at Benvarden outside Ballymoney, was, at one time, one of the biggest attractions on the Causeway Coast.

Developed in 1970 by Pat Stephenson, his unlikely idea of establishing the first National Safari Park on the island of Ireland came into being in the quiet surroundings of the north Antrim countryside.

The main attractions were Cesco the Elephant, Nora the Zonkey, Pete the chimp and of course the lions.

Visitors to the park had the unique experience of travelling in their own cars and buses into the main reserve where lions, tigers and baboons were kept.

Here, many visitors report of how their tyres were slashed by the lions and wipers, number plates and wing mirrors pulled off by the baboons!

But these were not the only animals visitors could see at the park.

Reported at the time of its brief closure in 1986 the park boasted 34 lions, six tigers, three chimps, 22 monkeys, two leopards, two bears and assorted zebras, camels, llamas, ponies and donkeys.

As well as the animals the park had many other attractions for all the family. There was the American superslide, the moonwalk, Kiddy rides, bumper cars, trains, the Free Flight Aviary, café and ice cream parlour.

There was also the Curio shop where you could get your photo taken with a lion cub by polaroid camera and have it made into a badge.

In 1997 the Safari Park closed and the premises became what is now Benvarden Animal Rescue Kennels.

To remember the Safari Park days, Causeway Coast and Glens Museum Services are working on their Causeway Safari Park exhibition coming to Ballymoney Museum this August.

To help tell the story of the Safari Park they are looking for photographs and other items to show what the safari park was like for visitors and those who worked there.

So far they have received photographs of family visits to the park, the parks attractions, posters and children cuddling lion cubs - but they need more!

So if you have any photographs, souvenirs, stories - or even footage from your time visiting or indeed working at the Safari Park - they would love to hear from you.

To get in touch with the Museum Service you can message their Facebook page Causeway Coast and Glens Museum Services, email museums@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk or phone 028 276 60230.