ANIMAL EXPERIENCES up Close and Personal Or Behind Glass with Hors D'oeuvres

ANIMAL EXPERIENCES up close and personal or behind glass with hors d'oeuvres

www.focus-info.org Maybe it was moving to the UK from grounds in a beautifully refurbished former Texas where wildlife filled the garden, even keeper’s lodge. ere is a four-course meal in suburban yards in Houston. Perhaps it prepared by a personal chef, an after-hours was just that I have so enjoyed time spent guided tour and catered breakfast in the visiting and volunteering at zoos and gorilla enclosure. wildlife parks over the years. Whatever the Whipsnade Zoo is London Zoo’s fa- reason, in my first year of living in the UK, mous sister site. Designed more like a sa- I found myself searching for opportunities fari park, at 600 acres it is the UK’s largest to have more animal experiences and en- zoo, while the most visited zoo in the UK counters. Fortunately for me, there are so is Chester Zoo with almost 2 million visi- many amazing locations and organisations tors a year. TripAdvisor voted Chester the available all over the UK for people who best zoo in the UK last year. And if you want to get a little closer to the birds, bees want to see the only giant pandas and and beasts of Great Britain. koalas in the UK, try a visit to the e easiest and most familiar are, of Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland. course, the zoos. For a zoo with real his- If you are hoping to keep young chil- tory, it has to be the ZSL London Zoo. As dren entertained, sometimes simply view- the oldest scientifically established zoo in ing animals in enclosures is not enough. the world, this zoo is filled with beautiful One type of venue that is common and historic architecture, as well as an throughout the UK is the animal park abundance of animal species. But for a re- with added entertainment options for little ally special experience beyond the ordi- ones. Our family recently visited the nary, sign up for one of their “Keeper for a Manor Wildlife Park in Pembrokeshire, Day” experiences. My husband treated my Wales. Although my two little grand- 13 year-old son and me to this in the sum- daughters enjoyed hand feeding the walla- mer and, although it’s not cheap, it was an bies, the biggest hit of the day was the unforgettable experience for us all. I got an enormous enclosed play areas, with climb- all-day, behind the scenes chance to feed, ing structures, bouncing arenas and self- touch, clean, and generally interact with propelled cars. Given the variability of the giraffes, monkeys, giant tortoises and weather, the fact that these are inside huge much more. My son’s Junior Keeper expe- geodesic domes meant it was a nice break rience was a half-day (at roughly half the from the rainy drizzle. And for their par- cost) and included the cost of admission ents and me the lovely and cosy café with a for both he and an accompanying adult wood-burner and comfy couches made the (my husband). e keepers were friendly, day a complete success. Nearby is the simi- knowledgeable and very tolerant of inces- lar and extremely popular Folly Farms. sant questions! ere was light food and is venue is zoo, farm and fun park com- drinks provided and a free t-shirt to com- bined and receives rave reviews from memorate the day. ere is a similar expe- friends who have made this a holiday des- rience at the much smaller, but very tination for years. well-regarded, Bristol Zoo which includes In urban London, places where children the chance to spend the night on zoo and adults can connect with nature and

22 FOCUS The Magazine May/June 2018 www.focus-info.org Pollock Museum For further information

London Zoo www.zsl.org

London Zoo Experiences (including Keeper and Junior Keeper for a Day) www.zsl.org/experiences-at-zsl

Sea Life Centre, London www.visitsealife.com/london/ Lilian Browse in the 1950s Bristol Zoo Lodge Experience - animals are particularly special. ere are ages and experience levels. www.thelodgebristolzoo.co.uk several city farms in the area, but in East Since Great Britain is home to some of London the Hackney City Farm has a the most beautiful and iconic wildlife in Whipsnade Zoo - particular charm. With barnyard animals, the world (think Wind in the Willows and www.zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo a working garden and a popular café which Beatrix Potter), it is a treat to experience uses produce from the farm, it has been a some of these animals up close in their nat- www.chesterzoo.org favourite in the area since 1984. With an Chester Zoo – ural habitats. I’ve attended some fabulous even longer historical tradition, Golders

Hill Park has been a neighbourhood insti- free lectures and tours, hosted by universi- Edinburgh Zoo – London Nightlife Wartime tution for generations. Adjoining ties, local animal welfare groups or natural www.edinburghzoo.org.uk Hampstead Heath, the City of London- science museums. One tour hosted by the run park contains beautiful gardens, a but- Biology Department at Swansea University Manor Wildlife Park terfly house, landscaped ponds and a allowed us to track the movements and www.manorwildlifepark.co.uk children’s play area. e park also has a free noises of bat populations over local parks. zoo with a small collection of exotic ani- Another display hosted by the Oriel Folly Farm Adventure Park mals. e onsite Italian café has been fam- Science Museum allowed us to see and www.folly-farm.co.uk ily owned and operated for decades and handle species of insects that were both in- serves homemade ice cream. teresting and in some cases medically use- My favourite, most recent animal experi- Hackney City Farms ful. ere are frequent hosted tours like ence was something I dreamt of since www.hackneycityfarm.co.uk childhood. I’ve always loved birds of prey those led by the Wildlife Trust of South and, although I’ve attended many flying and West Wales that are held at twilight Golders Green Park demonstrations, this was a chance to actu- and offer the chance to see foxes, hedge- www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to- ally fly the birds myself. Offered by hogs, badgers and more in the wild. ese do/green-spaces/hampstead-heath/ Pembrokeshire Falconry, and hosted in can usually be found by simply checking golders-hill-park the National Botanic Garden of Wales, I the events notices on university websites or had the opportunity to fly several varieties local conservation societies. Pembrokeshire Falconry of birds of prey in one of the most beauti- So, while Wales might lack the parade of www.pembrokeshire-falconry.co.uk ful settings imaginable. Accompanied by raccoons, possums and squirrels through an experienced falconer, I had Harris my yard and attic in the States, I guess, in Hawks, a Brahminy Kite and a Turkey Oriel Science (Swansea University) retrospect, I might prefer the chance to www.orielscience.co.uk Vulture fly to my gloved hand from over- The National Gallery during the War head. I was able to fly 3 varieties of owl in- choose how and when I get up close and doors and even handled a magnificent personal with wildlife. Besides, given the Wildlife Trust of South Steppe Eagle. e employees were ex- range of options I’m finding nearby, I’m and West Wales tremely careful and knowledgeable and not missing the Texas fauna like I used to – www.welshwildlife.org they have handling opportunities for all particularly the mosquitoes and fire ants.

Before studying chemistry, biology and education at university, Angie Bott spent her youth prowling through Texas scrubland looking for critters. She is now attempting the same in the hedgerows of South Wales and is loving it.