UNIQUE MOTHER’S DAY GIFT IDEAS AT SEAVIEW WILDLIFE

Winter Keeper Updates

During the winter months when the park is closed to the public, some of the keepers take the opportunity to have some time off and go travelling!
Currently Fern is away on holiday in New Zealand, whilst Charlotte has just returned from two months exploring South East Asia with one of the previous animal keepers Holly!
Whilst visiting Thailand, Malaysia, Bali and Singapore, Holly and Charlotte encountered a huge variety of wildlife including Hornbills, Kingfishers, Egrets, Herons, Orioles, White Bellied Sea Eagles, Dusky Leaf Monkeys, Long-tailed Macaques, Monitor Lizards, several species of Gecko and Skink and hundreds of insects and creepy crawlies!
 

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The highlight though was snorkelling in Thailand and Bali with thousands of tropical fish, corals and invertebrates as well as encountering up close a group of Cuttlefish, giant Moray Eels, an Octopus and two incredible Green Sea Turtles!

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From the beautiful beaches, lush rainforests and rich mangroves of the wild to the contrast of the busy cities, stunning temples and local villages, these countries really make a fascinating place for anyone to visit and explore.
 

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The Biggest Baddest Bucket List - Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight is encouraging entries into My Destination’s recently launched global competition, by offering their own ISLE OF WIGHT COMPETITION… read on to find out why and how to enter...

Heard of The Biggest, Baddest Bucket List?

My Destination’s Biggest Baddest Bucket List launched on 28^th January 2013. Since then, there has been an incredible buzz going around the global travel community, who are now talking about ‘the world’s biggest ever travel competition’.
The prize is an amazing all expenses paid trip around the world – Six Months – Six Continents! The winner will choose at least 25 destinations from the My Destination network, meeting the ‘local experts’ and being able to tick off loads of awesome activities from their own bucket list. They’ll be blogging as they go so that we can all follow their adventure! As if that’s not enough, when the winner arrives home they’ll receive $50,000… about £32,000!
To enter, you have to simply make a video about a destination of your choice – it can be your home town if you like, or maybe your favourite holiday destination? It just needs to be somewhere that you know well. Submit the video, along with a short blog and some photos, then spread the word and start getting votes!
It will take a little time and thought, but we hear that lots of excited people are already preparing their videos and blogs, so we expect the entries to start flowing in soon!  Entrants have until 31^st March 2013 to enter but get filming ASAP to give yourself plenty of time to get lots of votes. It's not all about votes though...  5 of the 'top 10' will instead be chosen by staff at My Destination HQ and Ben Southall - winner of 'The Best Job in the World'... make sure you get noticed with your super-star personality and reporting skills!
So, tell everyone who you know would LOVE this fantastic opportunity!

Isle of Wight Competition

When My Destination Isle of Wight told the Isle of Wight Tourist Board Visit Isle of Wight and local ferry company Wightlink about The Biggest Baddest Bucket list, they were just as excited as us and have decided to get involved.
Why? Well just like us, they can see that this global competition could be a fantastic way to spread the word about our beautiful island. Imagine if the Isle of Wight could encourage lots of video entries about the Isle of Wight, which will be viewed and voted for by people all over the world? Even better, imagine if the Isle of Wight video gets to the top 10 or even wins?!
So, how is the Isle of Wight encouraging video entries about the island?
This Isle of Wight is running its own mini competition, with an additional local prize for all video entries about the Isle of Wight. The Isle of Wight competition is designed to encourage as many Isle of Wight video entries as possible!
(However, the ‘mini competition’ is completely separate from The Biggest Baddest Bucket List and will therefore in no way influence the outcome of the global competition.)
The Prize
Tom’s Eco Lodge is a luxury camping experience (also known as ‘glamping’) on the Isle of Wight. These outstanding lodges are perfect for extremely comfortable outdoor living, packed full of all the home comforts and facilities you will need for a care-free, wonderful holiday. Tom is kindly giving away a 5 night stay for  4 - 6 people.
www.mydestination.com/isleofwight/travel-articles/721581/the-biggest-baddest-bucket-list---isle-of-wight

OWL ENCLOSURE HAVING EXTREME MAKEOVER

Our Eurasian Owl enclosure is under going an extreme makeover!  Where there was once three sections these have now been completely removed and the whole area opened up which looks fantastic. Not just visually but for our very loveable characters Amber and Marzibar who are relishing in having sucn an abundance of space and an open flying area.

We are now sourcing old farm and garden implements to fine tune the area and to make it look really special.  If you have any old ploughs, wooden gates, wheelbarrows, pitch forks etc. that you don’t want and think would look nice in our Owl exhibit to help with the transformation we would be very grateful.  In exchange we will donate complimentary family passes to the Park for the 2013 season!  Please email info@seaviewwildlife.com  (Will obviously have to be local to the Island for ease of collection…)

CATERING VACANCIES FOR THE 2013 SEASON

Our Catering Department has seasonal vacancies for Kitchen  & Counter Assistants for the 2013 season.  March 23rd to September/October (flexible according to weather and trade).
Kitchen Assistant: To assist in the kitchen area with food preparation working alongside the Head Chef.  Duties will include prep of light lunches,  sandwiches etc… and the  implementation of food hygiene standards and any other catering duties as required.  This position is for a mature person with previous experience in the catering trade.  Five days a week to include weekends and bank holidays.  Around 20 - 25+ hours (flexible) per week increasing during holiday and busy periods.
Counter Assistant: To assist with serving customers, use of tills, coffee & ice cream machines , cleaning and maintaining high hygiene standards.  No cooking involved  but candidate must have excellent customer care skills and works well within a team environment.  Five days a week to include weekends and bank holidays. Around 20 - 25+ hours per week (flexible) increasing during holiday and busy periods.
Please email a covering letter and current CV to Lorraine Adams Director at  info@seaviewwildlife.com or by post to Seaview Wildlife Encounter, Oakhill Road, Seaview, Isle Of Wight.  PO34 5AP.  Closing date March 1st, 2013

Work Experience Student Geminni O’Brien

Over the past two weeks we have had the pleasure of welcoming nineteen year old Animal Management student Geminni O’Brien to join the Animal Care Team to gain some valuable ‘hands on’ work experience. Geminni is currently studying at Sparsholt College and on completing her course in July hopes to find her dream job working with Animals.
Who better to tell you about her experience at Seaview Wildlife then Geminni herself, so here is something that Geminni kindly wrote about her two week work placement working with the Keepers and Animals here at Seaview….
“I am on my second year at College and am leaving in July. As part of my course I have to do two weeks work experience. I looked at a few Parks and Zoos to work at but none even came close to Seaview. The Wildlife Park has such an interesting and large collection of Animals.
 
When I approached one of my lecturers about the Park he told me how fantastic the Park was and that Lorraine and Mr and Mrs Adams are really lovely people . When I started on the 4th February I was extremely nervous but the Keepers made me feel so welcome it was like I had been there for years!

Straight away I was able to get up close to the Animals. I especially loved feeding the Wallabies by hand and going in the Penguin enclosure. The Keepers made it easy for me to ask them questions at any point which was important as I wanted to gain as much experience as possible.

Having this experience is going to help me when looking for a job in the Animal husbandry industry. I have now got a lot more confidence in myself and the Keepers have provided me with advice on how to get into Animal Conservation which is what I would like to do in the future.
 Thank you to all the Keepers at Seaview Wildlife for making me feel like part of the team!”

We would also like to say thank you to Geminni for all her hard work, we wish you lots of luck with your future studies and hope to see you again in the coming season!

WHITGIFT WHITE WALLABY SETTLES IN TO NEW HOME

  
We have had news that our little White Wallaby has settled in really well at Whitgift School in Croydon…  Graham sent through an email yesterday to let us know how she is doing…

Hi Lorraine
Just to update you if the photos come out ok you will see our little lady is doing well , we are running a junior school competition to name her will keep you updated.
Graham

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

Valentines is fast approaching and if you are stuck on a gift idea for a loved one we have a fabulous, innovative and truly unique experience !
THE WILDEST PLACE FOR A SPECIAL DATE!

So………What is a “Wildest Date”?

These are bespoke wildlife experiences that are exclusively designed around your own special occasion - for adult couples or small groups of up to eight guests (single supplement available). Whether a first date, honeymoon treat, anniversary celebration, birthday present, or any other special occasion - the Park is now able to offer you "The wildest place for your special date"!
Your Wildest Date experience includes entrance to the Park with complimentary specialist animal feed; your own personalised tour focussing on close-up time with your favourite animals, including Dippy our celebrity Penguin; a 5 star champagne lunch, and a disk packed with your photographs to commemorate your special day.

It’s not too late to book and a gift voucher can be sent to present to a loved one. For further information follow our link http://www.seaviewwildlife.com/wildlife_encounters/Wildest_date/

Unique Valentine Day Gift Ideas

WATCH BBC1 TONIGHT PENGUINS PENGUINS AND MORE PENGUINS

PICK OF THE DAY BBC 1 TONIGHT SPY IN THE HUDDLE  (Monday February 11th, 2013)
The tragic-comic challenges faced by three species of penguins as they waddle, toddle, hop and sledge their way towards their various breeding grounds is the focus of the first episode in this new three-part documentary series.  Made by the award-winning team behind polar bear: Spy on the Ice, it uses cameras craftily disguised as life-size penguins to follow Emperor Penguins in Antarctica, Rockhoppers in the Falkland Islands and Humboldts in Peru.

While none of the birds have it easy, some fail to fulfil their destiny, such as the emperor who gets lost and shuffles off, shoulders slumped, head down, on the icy wastes alone.  Circumstances continue challenging the penguins when they reach their destination, with some female emperors most unladylike in their bids to get their man. 
A MUST SEE !

SINGING IN THE RAIN…..

SINGING IN THE RAIN, I’M SINGING IN THE RAIN
OH WHAT A SHAME IT’S JUST MORE
AND MORE P..P..P..P..P..P.. POURING RAIN !!

Whitgift School Will Wonder at our Wight Wallaby!

We meet some interesting people and deal with some very interesting Companies in our job!  Yesterday was no exception… two very colourful characters came from the most amazing school in Croydon to collect a female white wallaby to join their male. 

If you are a parent and have a son and have a spare £30,000 a year why not check out the video link below to see what Whitgift School could offer!  From the words of Sir David Attenborough… “ An astonishing school”

http://www.whitgift.co.uk/WelcomeVideo.aspx

"  Hello Lorraine  It was really nice to meet up with you and what a great place you have I could not stop talking about it.  Told Ann she would like to come and see my new friends a pair of pigs!  The Wallaby travelled home well and seems to have settled in and has got the males in their places.  So far everybody who has met her says she is the sweetest Wallaby ever.  I am meeting the head master Tuesday to tell about our trip and will let you know what is next on my shopping list.

Once again thank you - Graham"

Meerkat Caption Competition Zarah wins family pass for four!

Congratulations to Zarah who has won our caption competition with " OH MY GOD you look like Mother!!" Thank you to everyone for entering. One of our Meerkats found it so funny he fell over laughing !!!

Showcasing some entries from our Caption Competition!!!

I thought it would be fun to showcase some of our entries in this competition!

Caption: "OH MY GOD you look like mother!!!"
Very funny – thanks Zarah-Lucia who also said… “ And keep up the amazing work you do at Seaview ~ I love the place” xx

Caption: "What do you mean you forgot our anniversary?" 
Many thanks, Jude


Caption:  "What d'ya think of my Catherine Tate 'Nan' impersonation 'HAA AH AH AH AH AH AH AH AH!!"  
Alison Clark

ENTER OUR MEERKAT CAPTION COMPETITION AND WIN A FAMILY PASS FOR FOUR

Who ever comes up with the best caption for the above image wins a fantastic family pass for four persons to Seaview Wildlife !  Email in your caption to info@seaviewwildlife.com by 5pm Friday 8th February 2013 and we will announce the winner over the weekend…  Good luck !!!