Volunteer Rangers lend a hand giving West Midlands Safari Park elephants their 5-a-day

Green-fingered volunteers for Wyre Forest District Council’s Ranger Service were busy feeding the elephants at West Midlands Safari Park last week.

The group of volunteers, who dedicate a few hours every week to helping the council’s Ranger team, got up close and personal with three African elephants: Five, Sutton (Five’s son) and Latabe.

The trio tucked into shrubbery recently cleared from the heathlands in Burlish Top nature reserve.

Councillor Juliet Smith, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Community Protection, said: “Our Rangers and their volunteers work tirelessly to manage our open spaces so they can be enjoyed by everyone, young and old.

“It’s great that by working closely with West Midlands Safari Park, we are able to dispose of our green waste in an eco-friendly way, feed the elephants and give something back to our volunteers.”

The volunteers help the Rangers carry out various activities such as site patrols, cattle management, fence repairs, scrub clearance and educational activities.

For more information on volunteering with Wyre Forest District Council’s Ranger team visit www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/volunteerrangers.

Photo from left to right shows Adam Wright, our Countryside Officer and the Ranger Service volunteers: Chris Davies, Barry Shufflebotham, David Everett, Andy Varey, David Willetts, Marie Davies, David Evans and Robin Greaves. Elephants from left to right: Five, Sutton (Five’s son) and Latabe.