- providing an attraction that encourages new visitors and repeat visits.
- Allows visitors to connect with a wider range of animals and habitats.
- utilising the landscape setting and existing woodland.
- enhances the potential for educational opportunities and adventure activities.
- increase Knowsley Safari’s role as a valuable member of the Amur Tiger EEP breeding programme.
- establish stronger links with conservation activities for a species under severe threat.
Knowsley Safari Park
Masterplan, Development Strategy and Tiger Habitat Creation
Client: Knowsley Safari Park
Cass was appointed to work with the Estates Director and Senior Management and Animal Teams of Knowsley Safari Park to develop a new vision, masterplan and development strategy for the future. This led to the design and installation of a Tiger habitat.
This involved extensive consultation with the teams at the Safari Park and Knowsley MBC planning, together with analysis of visitor survey data. The appointment also involved an assessment of the overall development masterplan for Prescot.
The masterplan strategy which we developed included some radical changes to the park layout and visitor management, as well as significant reorganisation, demolition and new construction of the existing infrastructure. We also developed an implementation and phasing strategy over the next twenty years.
We have delivered a key project of the first phase: the creation of an Amur Tiger habitat, the largest tiger trail enclosure in Europe.
Located within a wooded area of the park, the Tiger habitat imitates the tiger’s natural habitat. This facility provides one of several new attractions within the safari park. The Tiger habitat meets serval aims and objectives that resulted in the masterplan study of Knowsley Safari Park:
The Outcome
The existing trees within the woodland have been incorporated into the design of the new habitat. The location of the perimeter fencing for the habitat has been designed to minimise its impact on the existing trees.
Raised timber decking and window viewing points provide a variety of ways to observe the animals up close. A 2.5m high glass screen within a timber frame provides an uninterrupted view of the tigers. The lightweight timber structure has a green roof to enhance its natural aesthetic.
Interactive elements are positioned around the habitat. These vary from small items, such as hidden sculptures, to larger installations such as glass viewing windows.
