View source for African Lion Safari

{{Short description|Safari park in Ontario, Canada}}
{{for|the defunct African Lion Safari Parks in Australia|Bullen's African Lion Safari Park (disambiguation){{!}}Bullen's African Lion Safari Park}}
{{Infobox zoo
|zoo_name=African Lion Safari
|logo=Logo afrianLionSafari.jpg
|logo_width=140px
|image=African_lion_safari_animals_car.jpg
|image_caption=Visitors in the reserves
|date_opened=August 22, 1969 <ref name="zoo_main"/>
|location= 1386 Cooper Road, [[Hamilton, Ontario|Hamilton]], [[Ontario]]
|coordinates={{Coord|43.341|N|80.180|W|region:CA_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
|area={{convert|300|ha|acre}}
|num_animals=
|num_species=
|members=[[Canada's Accredited Zoos and Aquariums|Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums]],<ref name="caza_accredited"/> [[world Association of Zoos and Aquariums|WAZA]],<ref name="waza_list"/> IEF, and IAATE <ref name="zoo_mission"/>
|website={{URL|http://www.lionsafari.com}}
}}

'''African Lion Safari''' is a family-owned [[safari park]] in [[Southern Ontario]], [[Canada]], located in the city of [[Hamilton, Ontario|Hamilton]], which is {{convert|100|km|mi}} west of [[Toronto]].  Guests may tour seven game reserves, with a total area of about {{convert|740|acre|hectare}}, on tour buses or in visitors' own vehicles, where animals roam freely in contained areas. Accompanying the game reserves is a walking section where exotic birds and primates, as well as the park's herd of Asian elephants, are on display.

African Lion Safari is an accredited member of the [[Canada's Accredited Zoos and Aquariums|Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums]], and is also a member of the [[World Association of Zoos and Aquariums]] (WAZA), the [[International Elephant Foundation]] (IEF) as well as the International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators (IAATE).

==History==
This safari park was founded by [[Gordon Dailley|Gordon Debenham "Don" Dailley]], a retired [[Canadian Forces|Canadian Army]] colonel, and opened its doors on August 21, 1969. Dailley initially partnered with the [[Chipperfield's Circus|Chipperfield family]] from [[England]] to purchase four farms in the [[Rockton, Ontario]] area totaling {{convert|250|ha|acre}}. He bought out the Chipperfields in the early 1970s.<ref name=Spec2006/> It remains privately owned, and the only significant feature was the drive-through reserve. In 1971, the park began working with [[Asian elephant]]s, and in 1985 they started to make a concentrated effort to breed Asian elephants. Over the years, successful breeding of 30 [[endangered species]] and 20 [[threatened species]] has occurred in the park.

==Exhibits==

===Reserves===

[[File:Common Eland African Lion Safari.jpg|thumb|left|Common eland visiting tourist]]
On any of the seven reserves, visitors are caged in their car and the animals roam in large enclosures that range from {{convert|2|to|20|ha|acre}}.<ref name="zoo_main"/>

[[File:African lion safari Lions.jpg|thumb|right|Lions resting]]
In the '''Nairobi Sanctuary''', visitors can see [[Ankole-Watusi]] [[cattle]], [[llama]]s, [[White stork|European white stork]]s, [[Egyptian goose|Egyptian geese]], and [[grey crowned crane]]s on a large open field with a pond.

Between the Nairobi Sanctuary and the Simba Lion Country is the '''cheetah breeding centre''', which is home to [[cheetah]]s. There are several enclosures in the preserve where the cheetahs live either separately or grouped.

'''Simba Lion Country''' is home to African [[lion]]s. In it exists a structure made out of rocks for the lions to rest or play on.

'''Timbavati Lion Country''' is home to [[white lion]]s, also known as Timbavati lions. Much like Simba Lion Country, it too has a rock structure.

'''Wankie Bushland Trail''' is home to [[olive baboon]]s, [[Bongo (antelope)|bongo]], [[zebu]], and [[Malayan tapir]]s. The baboons' tower is a house and a playground for them.

[[File:Rhino at the African Lion Safari.jpg|thumb|left|Rhino grazing at the African Lion Safari]]
The '''Rocky Ridge Veldt''' includes [[Rothschild's giraffe]]s, [[Grant's zebra]]s, [[wildebeest]], [[Common eland]], [[Barbary sheep]], [[ostrich]], [[southern white rhinoceros]]es, [[addax]], and [[scimitar oryx]]. Inside this open field are shelters, shade structures, and several piles of rocks for animals to climb on.

The '''Australasia''' reserve includes [[Himalayan tahr]], [[yak]], [[nilgai]], [[Indian rhinoceros]]es, [[western grey kangaroo]]s, [[red kangaroo]]s, [[red-necked wallaby|red-necked wallabies]], and [[Donkey|Sicilian donkeys]]. In smaller fenced areas on the periphery of this reserve are enclosures for Turkmenian (Bukharan) [[markhor]] and [[Sichuan takin]]. This reserve is a mix of trees, grass and pond.

The '''North America''' reserve is home to [[American bison]], [[elk]], [[fallow deer]], and [[markhor]]. There are two feeding areas on this large open field.

===Walking Trail===

The '''"African Queen" Boat Cruise''' houses animals like [[Ring-tailed lemur|ring-tailed lemurs]], [[Black-and-white ruffed lemur|ruffed lemurs]], [[Lar gibbon|white-handed gibbons]], [[Siamang|siamangs]], [[Geoffroy's Spider Monkey|black-handed spider monkeys]], [[Squirrel monkey|squirrel monkeys]], [[Black swan|black swans]], and a [[pink-backed pelican]]. There is also a boat you ride on to see these animals up close. 

The '''"Nature Boy" Scenic Railway''' houses animals like [[Sri Lankan elephant|Asian elephants]], [[Camel|camels]], [[boreal woodland caribou]], and fallow deer. There is also a train you ride to see these animals. 

The '''Tusker Trail''' is the smallest selection of the zoo. Animals here include [[Hippopotamus|hippos]], [[American flamingo|American flamingos]], and [[Sandhill crane|sandhill cranes]]. 

The '''Birds of Prey Conservation Centre''' houses birds like [[Eagle|eagles]], [[Vulture|vultures]], [[Owl|owls]], [[Falcon|falcons]], [[Hawk|hawks]], [[Marabou stork|marabou storks]], and [[Secretarybird|secretary birds]]. 

The '''Kids' Zoo''' houses animals like [[Black lemur|black lemurs]], [[Macaw|macaws]], [[Huacaya alpaca|alpacas]], [[African spurred tortoise|giant tortoises]], [[Pygmy Goat|pygmy goats]], [[Pot-Bellied Pig|pot-bellied pigs]], [[Straw-coloured fruit bat|straw-coloured fruit bats]], and [[Southern tamandua|tamanduas]]. 

==Breeding programs==

The park is involved in the International [[Species Survival Plan]]s for [[Asian elephant]]s, [[cheetah]]s, [[White rhinoceros|White rhinos]], and [[Cinereous vulture]]s. It has provided captive bred [[Western barn owl|Barn owl]]s, [[Burrowing owl]]s, [[Trumpeter swan]]s, [[Ferruginous hawk]]s, and a [[Bald eagle]] to reintroduction programs for release into the wild.

The park currently claims to have the most successful Asian elephant breeding program in North America, and in 2008 became home to the first third generation Asian elephant in North America. It has received several CAZA awards, including those recognizing outstanding achievements in the care of both cheetahs and giraffes.

In 2010, "Jake" became African Lion Safari's first successful Asian elephant birth from an artificial insemination, and the first birth of this kind in Canada.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lionsafari.com/babies.asp |title=African Lion Safari |access-date=2010-11-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124034345/http://lionsafari.com/babies.asp |archive-date=2010-11-24 }} lionsafari.com "NEW FOR 2010 - First Artificially Inseminated Elephant Born in Canada at African Lion Safari" retrieved November 29th, 2010</ref>

[[File:African lion safari demonstration.jpg|thumb|right|Demonstration of Asian elephants skills by staff]]

== Controversies ==
A demonstration was held at African Lion Safari on Saturday, May 4, 2013.  Animal rights activists from the Grassroots Ontario Animal Liberation Network staged a protest during the Safari's opening day to raise awareness about issues surrounding the use of exotic animals for entertainment and to expose the park as a for-profit business based on animal exploitation. Activists also claimed that the use of bull hooks during elephant shows at the park were cruel and archaic.

In March 2021, [[Animal rights movement|animal protection]] organization [[In Defense of Animals]] named African Lion Safari as the worst zoo for elephants in its annual report, citing cruel training methods, exposure to Hamilton's harsh winter climate, constant zoo transfers, and breeding processes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/10-worst-zoos-for-elephants-revealed-by-in-defense-of-animals-for-2020/|title=MEDIA RELEASE: 10 Worst Zoos for Elephants Revealed by In Defense of Animals for 2020|last=Anderson|first=Will|date=March 2, 2021|publisher=[[In Defense of Animals]]|access-date=March 4, 2021}}</ref> Concerns were also expressed towards a plan to sell two elephants to [[Fort Worth Zoo]] - which ranked second on the said report - for $2,000,000.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/african-lion-safari-1.5933064|title=Advocacy group names Hamilton's 'cruel' African Lion Safari as 'worst' zoo for elephants|last=Rankine|first=Christine|date=March 2, 2021|publisher=[[CBC News]]|access-date=March 4, 2021}}</ref>

==Incidents==
In November 1989, 21-year-old Omer Norton, a part-time employee and biology student at [[McMaster University]], was crushed to death by a five-ton bull elephant named Tusko. The incident occurred as Norton tried to intervene in a fight between Tusko and another elephant.<ref>"Elephant's fate hangs on inquest in trainer's death," Leslie Papp, ''[[Toronto Star]]'', November 22, 1989, p. A12,</ref><ref>"Owner outraged: Labor Ministry persecuting Lion Safari, Dailley says," ''[[The Record (Waterloo Region)|Kitchener-Waterloo Record]]'', June 27, 1991, p. B3</ref>

In April 1996, a couple driving through the game reserve were attacked by a [[Bengal tiger]], an animal that is no longer exhibited by the zoo. The couple filed a lawsuit against the park, which took several years to resolve. Eventually, in January 2005, a court awarded them and their families $2.5 million as compensation.<ref>[http://www.canlii.org/on/cas/onsc/2005/2005onsc10134.html ''Cowles v. Balac'', 2005 CanLII 2038 (ON S.C.)]{{dead link|date=October 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, accessed November 5, 2006</ref>

In June 2019, a handler was airlifted to hospital after being attacked by Maggie, one of the park's elephants.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/african-lion-safari-elephant-attack-1.5185566|title=Trainer seriously injured after elephant attack at Ontario's African Lion Safari|last=Taekema|first=Dan|date=June 21, 2019|publisher=[[CBC News]]|access-date=June 22, 2019}}</ref> According to a Ministry of Labour report, the aggressive elephant, Maggie, three meters tall and weighing 3,900 kilograms, repeatedly struck, spun, and pushed her handler against the wooden railings of the platform stairway using her powerful trunk. Following this incident, African Lion Safari ended its elephant ride program.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Taekema |first=Dan |date=Jul 22, 2021 |title=African Lion Safari ended elephant rides after 2019 attack. So why are they still allowed in Canada? |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/elephant-ride-attack-african-lion-safari-caza-1.6104657 |work=CBC News}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{reflist |refs=
<ref name="zoo_main">{{cite web|url=http://www.lionsafari.com/index2.asp |title=African Lion Safari |work=lionsafari.com |publisher=African Lion Safari |access-date=3 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100723055752/http://www.lionsafari.com/index2.asp |archive-date=23 July 2010 }}</ref>

<ref name="zoo_mission">{{cite web|url=http://www.lionsafari.com/mission.asp |title=Our Mission |work=lionsafari.com |publisher=African Lion Safari |access-date=3 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100723055811/http://www.lionsafari.com/mission.asp |archive-date=23 July 2010 }}</ref>

<ref name="caza_accredited">
 {{cite web
 |url=http://www.caza.ca/en/membership_and_services/membership_directory/accredited_members/index.php
 |title=Members' Directory, Accredited Institutions
 |work=caza.ca
 |publisher=Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums
 |access-date=24 April 2010
 |url-status=dead
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130112092254/http://www.caza.ca/en/membership_and_services/membership_directory/accredited_members/index.php
 |archive-date=12 January 2013
}}
</ref>

<ref name="waza_list">
 {{Cite web
 |url=http://www.waza.org/en/site/zoos-aquariums
 |title=Zoos and Aquariums of the World
 |work=waza.org
 |publisher=[[World Association of Zoos and Aquariums]]
 |access-date=30 July 2010
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100813232144/http://www.waza.org/en/site/zoos-aquariums
 |archive-date=13 August 2010
 |url-status=live
}}
</ref>

<ref name="Spec2006">
 {{cite news
 |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/hamiltonspectator/access/1078081531.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul+17%2C+2006&author=Meredith+Macleod&pub=The+Spectator&edition=&startpage=A.11&desc=Elephant+walk%3B+Early+years+were+lean+for+African+Lion+Safari%3A+Now+it%27s+a+%2450m+miracle%3B+Best+Practices%2C+Behind+the+scenes+of+a+successful+local+business
 |title=Elephant walk; Early years were lean for African Lion Safari: Now it's a $50m miracle
 |work=thespec.com
 |publisher=The Hamilton Spectator
 |date=17 July 2006|access-date=3 May 2010
| first=Meredith
| last=MacLeod}}{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
</ref>

}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{official website|http://www.lionsafari.com}}

{{Zoos of Ontario}}
{{CAZA}}

{{Hamilton}}

[[Category:Safari parks]]
[[Category:Amusement parks in Ontario]]
[[Category:Zoos in Ontario]]
[[Category:Culture of Hamilton, Ontario]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Hamilton, Ontario]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Hamilton, Ontario]]
[[Category:Zoos established in 1969]]
[[Category:1969 establishments in Ontario]]