Two families feared they would die after their cars were smashed by a pair of fighting rhinos at West Midlands Safari Park, causing around £12,000 in damage. The incident occurred on Sunday, 9 August, when two white rhinos charged at vehicles driven by Zoe Farmer, 53, and Charlotte Baker, 24, leaving children screaming and one man hospitalised.
What happened during the rhino incident
Zoe, a school nurse assistant from Accrington, Lancashire, was visiting the park with her grandson and husband. She described hearing a massive crash while queuing in the rhino enclosure. 'The next thing, the more aggressive rhino just charged at the front of the car. The two animals carried on fighting around the side of the car – and the rest of the damage was done by one pushing the other into the car,' she said. '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.'
Zoe's Dacia Sandero Stepway sustained significant damage to its front and side. Charlotte, of Tipton, West Midlands, was with her 24-year-old husband and 18-month-old child when the rhinos hit her BMW 3 Series, causing £6,000 worth of damage. 'It felt like we had been hit by a car. I thought a car had lost control and hit us. We could have died,' she said. Her husband was later hospitalised with back pain and had to take a day off work.
Victims criticise park's response
Both women said no park rangers were in sight immediately after the incident, forcing them to continue through the park with damaged vehicles. Zoe said they drove for about 15 minutes before a ranger approached them. 'Nobody came to help, there wasn't a park warden in sight, so we just had to carry on with our damaged car while really shaken up,' she added. The ranger escorted them to the car park but offered no apology, stating 'we're not liable' and suggesting they could drive around again for free.
Zoe complained and was offered free tickets, which she branded 'an insult'. She said she is not seeking compensation but is concerned about safety. 'These are powerful animals, the horns could easily pierce through a car and a child or a person,' she said. 'Another visitor staying in the rhino lodge said one was acting aggressively that morning, so why was it not removed for the safety of visitors? This has happened before there. But I don't think they will do anything until there is a fatality.'
Charlotte criticised the park's attitude, saying staff showed little empathy. 'The attitude of the staff stunk. I show more empathy to our customers who have scratches on their cars. My husband was in hospital yesterday, and they haven't even given us a courtesy call,' she said.
Park's official statement
A spokesman for West Midlands Safari Park confirmed the incident, stating: 'We are aware of an incident involving three guest vehicles and the white rhinos in the Safari Drive on the morning of Sunday, 9 August. An altercation between two rhinos resulted in collisions with the vehicles.' The spokesman emphasised that safety is a priority, saying keepers in patrol vehicles are always in close attendance and responded immediately, checking all guests and offering assistance. 'We are happy that our rangers acted swiftly and appropriately and we have since had emails from other guests who witnessed the incident, praising their swift actions,' he added.
The park reminded guests that they enter a free-roaming animal environment at their own risk. The spokesman said: '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.'
