First safari park outside Africa 'scandalised' people

First safari park outside Africa 'scandalised' people3 hours agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleAmanda ParrWest of EnglandLongleatCeawlin Thynn, the 8th Marquess of Bath, and his wife Emma Thynn, Marchioness of Bath, both manage and live at the Longleat estate"People were quite scandalised, nervous, terrified about the possibility of what could potentially go wrong - bringing 50 lions to the Wiltshire countryside."Sixty years ago Henry Thynne, the 6th Marquess of Bath, opened the Lions of Longleat drive-through attraction with the help of circus owner Jimmy Chipperfield. He had already become the first to open an English stately home to the public, and this new venture took the securing of Longleat's financial future to a whole new level.As the park marks its 60th anniversary, the 8th Marquess - Ceawlin Thynn - said his grandfather would be "proud" the attraction has become a national institution.More from WiltshireMan, 33, stalked teenager and asked her for kissesLocomotion No 1 nameplates to go on saleFootball fan given three-year ban for racist abuseOver the years, the park has expanded and developed. It is now home to more than 120 species, many of them endangered.The current Lord Bath manages the estate with his wife Emma and they live there with their two young sons.PA MediaThe 6th Marquess of Bath opened the first drive-through safari park outside Africa in 1966Lord Bath acknowledged his grandfather's vision was "a gamble"."But it was a little bit more than that. It was forging through a Rubicon that was never forged through before. It was debated in the Houses of Parliament," he said."It was a huge mountain to climb, a huge endeavour, and one he managed to push over the line. My grandfather really created an entire new industry that hadn't existed before."He was eccentric for sure. He was exacting, charming and merciless in equal measure. The grandpa I knew was a very mellowed man,...