Two families say they feared for their lives after a pair of fighting white rhinos smashed into their cars at a safari park, causing approximately £12,000 worth of damage. The incident occurred on Sunday, August 9, at West Midlands Safari Park, when the 1.5-tonne animals struck vehicles belonging to Zoe Farmer, 53, and Charlotte Baker, 24.
Chaos in the Rhino Enclosure
Zoe's £19,000 Dacia Sandero Stepway suffered substantial damage to its front and side, while Charlotte's £21,000 BMW 3 Series incurred £6,000 worth of damage. Charlotte's husband was taken to hospital with back pain. Both mothers stated they feared for their lives during the distressing incident, with no park rangers visible anywhere, compelling them to proceed through the park in their damaged vehicles.
Zoe, a school nurse assistant from Accrington in Lancashire, was enjoying the safari drive-through with her grandson and husband when they encountered the battling rhinos. She described the ordeal: "It was absolutely terrifying. We were on holiday at a caravan park in Stourport and had our four-year-old grandson with us so we thought we'd take him for a day out at the safari park."
Visitors Left Shaken
Zoe recounted how the rhinos began fighting right in front of them. "One was being more aggressive and the other was trying to get away. We didn't know what to do, whether to drive or stay put so we just stayed where we were. The next thing, the more aggressive rhino just charges at the front of the car."
She added: "The car was swaying and I thought we were going to die. I thought it was going to tip over and my grandson was out of his car seat as I had him on my lap to see the animals. All I was thinking about was his safety. I was screaming but trying to control myself for his sake. It was scary, very scary."
Charlotte, from Tipton in the Black Country, was accompanied by her 24-year-old husband and their 18-month-old child. She said: "The rhino enclosure is the first thing you go into. We were sat there stationary and then out of nowhere there the biggest thud hit us from behind. Two rhinos had started to fight and smashed into the back of our car, lunging us forward. It felt like we had been hit by a car. I thought a car had lost control and hit us. We could have died."
Park Response Criticised
Both women were furious at the response from the safari park. Zoe said: "Nobody came to help, there wasn't a park warden in sight, so we had to carry on with our damaged car while really shaken up. We drove around the rest of the park for around 15 minutes before a ranger eventually came up to us. They escorted us to the car park and didn't offer anything in the way of an apology - they just said 'we're not liable' and we could drive around again for free if we wanted."
She added: "All we got from it was a can of Sprite. We wrote to complain and have been offered free tickets in way of compensation which felt a bit of an insult. But I'm not bothered about the compensation, it's about stopping these rhinos from killing somebody. These are powerful animals, the horns could easily pierce through a car and a child or a person."
Charlotte, who works in body repairs, said she remained "shaken up" following the ordeal and criticised the park's management. She said: "I show more empathy to our customers who have scratches on their cars. I understand there are signs that tell us we enter at our own risk but I question why, if this has happened before, are the White Rhinos allowed to free roam. My husband was in hospital and they haven't even given us a courtesy call."
Park Statement
A spokesman for West Midlands Safari Park said: "We are aware of an incident involving three guest vehicles and the white rhinos in the Safari Drive on the morning of Sunday, August 9. An altercation between two rhinos resulted in collisions with the vehicles. The safety and welfare of our guests and animals is our highest priority and keepers in patrol vehicles are always in close attendance to monitor all animal and vehicle movements. Our keepers responded immediately to the altercation, checked all guests, and offered assistance to those involved throughout the morning. The rhinos quickly settled and remained under close observation."
The spokesman added: "We are happy our rangers acted swiftly and appropriately and we have since had emails from other guests who witnessed the incident, praising their swift actions. We kindly remind guests both online and through onsite signage that they are entering an environment where animals are free-roaming and they do so at their own risk. All the guests will be contacted ASAP by our Guest Relations team and we will require their insurance companies to get in touch with us, so this is all being taken very seriously and appropriate compensation will be discussed."
