WARMEST WISHES FOR A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR FROM DIPPY AND ALL THE TEAM AT SEAVIEW WILDLIFE ENCOUNTER x
Dippy and the office team are taking a few days off over the Festive Season and look forward to re-connecting with our friends early in January. Till we meet again be safe be happy.
Somewhere over the rainbow …. I took this image a couple of days ago from the Park when sunshine and showers showcased over the Solent …… having spent so many years of my life in South Africa I always think of a sunshower (and resultant rainbow) as a “Monkey’s Wedding”.
In South African English, a sunshower is referred to as a "monkey’s wedding", translated from the Zulu umshado wezinkawu, a wedding for monkeys. In Afrikaans it is referred to as jakkalstrou (Jackal’s wedding) or Jakkals trou met wolf se vrou as dit reën en die son skyn flou ("The Jackal marries the Wolf’s wife when it rains and the sun shines faintly").
Legend has it that the Irish leprechaun's secret hiding place for his pot of gold is at the end of the rainbow.
All the Team at Seaview Wildlife hope you (our friends and fellow Bloggers) discover your own pot of gold at the end of the rainbow…… in whatever form it needs to be to bring you a special Christmas time …… and most of all to enrich the year ahead with good health, happiness and love.
David Cameron urged to befriend warthogs and wallabies to rekick the economy
ZOOS and aquariums can play an important role in kick starting the UK economy, the House of Commons was told today. (Dec 14)
This growing sector already contributes £645m to the UK economy and helps generate over 11,000 jobs – and has huge potential for regional economic development.
MPs urged David Cameron’s government to do more to realise the potential for growth, which is clearly illustrated by Yorkshire Wildlife Park which has already generated £3.4m to its local community in only three years since opening.
At an adjournment debate on the role of zoos in regional economic development tabled by Andrew Rosindell MP at Westminster, Minister of State for Business and Enterprise, Mark Prisk, was called on by MPs to recognise the importance of zoos and aquariums to the growth of the economy.
Gordon Marsden MP urged the government to ‘be a friend to the warthog, the wallaby and the ring-tailed lemur’.
Meanwhile Mr Rosindell spoke about the potential zoos and aquariums have which is not being exploited by the government and urged the minister to recognise this potential.
He said: “I would strongly suggest that, with the proper encouragement, aquaria, zoos and similar wildlife sites can become even more dynamic engines to help our economy in so many ways.”
A report commissioned by the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA), showed its member zoos and aquariums contribute £645 million to the UK economy and help generate about 11,000 jobs.
They not only boost local employment, but drive long term tourism growth, encourage inward investment, champion environmental technology, promote and protect native wildlife and our overall tourism landscape and support community activities.
Zoos and aquariums cover a number of departments including DCMS for tourism, DoE for education and DCLG for community activities, but Mr Rosindell’s main goal was to request a firm dialogue between DBIS (the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills) and BIAZA.
He was supported by a number of MPs representing zoos and aquariums in their constituencies including David Tredinnick (Twycross Zoo), Jim Shannon (WWT Castle Espie), Nigel Dodds (Belfast Zoo), Mike Crockart (Edinburgh Zoo), Andrew Selous (Whipsnade Zoo), Oliver Colvile (National Marine Aquarium), Stephen Moseley (Chester Zoo), Simon Hart (Folly Farm and Manor House), Mark Garnier (West Midland Safari Park), and Gordon Marsden (Blackpool Zoo).
The MPs spoke highly of the zoos and aquariums in their constituencies, not only as businesses and tourism attractions with high visitor numbers, but as institutions that carry out important work in education, conservation and research and have strong links with universities to develop skills.
They all spoke of the positive impact zoos have, the potential for growth and the importance of DBIS taking this issue forward. Mike Crockart MP said: “We need to recognise them as institutions which can help us grow our economy and address skills gaps.”
Stephen Moseley MP called zoos a ‘real engine for growth’ .
Minister, Mark Prisk concluded the debate by saying that he recognised zoos and aquariums as businesses and that DBIS needs to look at how zoos and aquariums can work more closely with government.
Following the debate, Miranda Stevenson, Executive Director of BIAZA, said: “We were delighted to see the support of MPs at the debate and look forward to constructive dialogue with the minister.”
To watch the full adjournment debate visit: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmfbusi/d01.htm
A rare and exciting opportunity has arisen to join the dynamic Animal Care Team at the Island's largest, multi-award winning wildlife attraction - this is a seasonal position from March to November 2012.
The position involves all animal husbandry duties and giving daily talks to the public. The successful incumbent will be an exceptional 'people person' who has the ability to lead promotional events such as 'Keeper for a Day', Junior Wildlife Experience', One-on-One Wildlife Encounters' and Wildest Place for a Special Date'.
A mature, friendly, outgoing person is required with a very hands-on approach. Applicants should be well spoken, team-orientated and physically fit, able to roll up their sleeves and willing to get involved.
This is a demanding, outdoor role, five days a week including weekends and bank holidays. Previous hands-on animal care experience is essential and a relevant qualification is preferred.
Working hours: 8am - 4.30/5.00pm
Closing Date: 31st January, 2012. Interviews to take place early February
Applicants should live locally as accommodation is not provided.
Please send a current CV and covering letter to Jules Brittan, General Manager, either by email to: info@seaviewwildlife.com or by post to Seaview Wildlife Encounter, Oakhill Road, Seaview, Isle Of Wight. PO34 5AP.
It’s nearly Christmas! If you haven’t quite finished your Christmas shopping and festive preparations yet, how about this message from Dippy:
Although we miss our friends during the winter months it’s a chance to get a few maintenance and new building projects underway. This year, amongst other things, we’re having our catering division renovated and extended – so your next visit will be an even bigger, brighter, more relaxed gastronomic delight!
We recently announced & awarded prizes to the winners of our 2011 Photographic Competition. Well done to Derric Nimmo - 1st prize (adult category) for his image of our leaf-cutting ants (below):
Congratulations to Joe Turner -
1st prize (junior category) for his image of Penguin swimming (below):
See our website for details of the all new 2012 “Animals in Action” photographic competition -
http://www.seaviewwildlife.com/competitions.htm
A NEW V.I.P. GIFT OPTION FOR OUR DISCERNING VISITORS!
ONE-ON-ONE WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS (PENGUINS OR MEERKATS - OR COMBO ENCOUNTERS WITH BOTH!)
Why not treat a loved one to this special gift – great for adults and children! Christmas gift vouchers now available!
Due to requests from our discerning guests we are very pleased to be able to offer personal one-on-one encounters with Penguins or Meerkats - or a Combo Encounter where you can spend close-up time with both!
Individual Encounters last approximately half an hour, Combo Encounters approximately one hour. Guided by an experienced Keeper, you’ll go behind the scenes where you’ll help to feed and spend special time close-up time with your chosen animals! Photos are included on a DVD as a memento of your special Wildlife Encounter.
Book now for spring 2012!
Click on: http://www.seaviewwildlife.com/close-encounters.htm
Charlotte has booked her ticket and is off to Cape Town for nine weeks on 2nd January 2012! Having done some research into projects and organisations, the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) looked to be a great opportunity.
Charlotte is hoping to be involved in rehabilitation projects working with endangered African Penguins and a variety of other sea bird species that have been affected by oil spills, injured by predators or are suffering from illness. It’s also likely that Charlotte will be assisting in hand-rearing abandoned chicks.
Charlotte has agreed to keep us updated via a travel Blog – with details and photos of her wildlife adventure and volunteering activities. Hopefully she’ll be able to connect directly into our Seaview Wildlife Blog – so keep an eye on seaviewwildlife.blogspot.com
Wishing you a very happy Christmas from
Jules Brittan, General Manager
…… and all the team at Seaview Wildlife x
Left Above: Penguin pals a-paddling Dec 2011. Right above: Humphrey enjoying a swim earlier today
In the last few days we’ve had a surge of Christmas adoption gift enquiries - favourites so far have been our Penguin characters including Dippy, Locke, Burt, Gary, Squirt and Danielle – as well as various other animals here at the Park. This is a wonderfully original Christmas present for someone special in your life who loves animals – knowing at the same time you’ll be helping towards the upkeep, feeding and care of your adopted animal friend.
YOUR SPECIAL CHRISTMAS ADOPTION GIFT INCLUDES:-
- Personalised Adoption Certificate
- Complimentary family pass into the Park (for 4 people)
- Personalised Christmas card with your voucher details inside
- A4 laminated photo of your Adopted animal friend
Click on: http://www.seaviewwildlife.com/adoption.htm for details.
You may remember our first “One-On-One Penguin Encounter” guests, David and Danielle, who had their Penguin Encounter with us just before the Park closed for the winter – at the end of October. Well, during their Penguin Encounter, David and Danielle fell in love with a particular Penguin – a young female who, at the time had not yet been named. David and Danielle have named her “Danielle” and have now adopted her too – so thank you to both of you for your emails, positive feedback and for adopting Danielle for Christmas! I’ve included a couple of images of Danielle, Locke, Burt, Squirt, Gary and of course Dippy!
Above: “DANIELLE”
Above: “LOCKE”
Above: (from left to right): “BURT”, “SQUIRT” and “GARY”
And of course - “DIPPY” (above)
These images show only a few of the adorable characters available for Christmas adoption – have a look online for more details – just click on: http://www.seaviewwildlife.com/adoption.htm.
