A Mad Pink Flamingo Wedding

We are so excited to be hosting our first 'Mad Pink Flamingo Wedding' for Dawn and Clive in May. 

They will be taking their vows in our Beautiful Tropical House and celebrating in style with a Mad Hatters Tea Party on our Picnic Terrace with a backdrop of stunning sea views...

The Gallery at Seaview Wildlife

Opening soon.... The Gallery at Seaview Wildlife... showcasing local artist Stuart Shore's brilliant work....

www.wightwildlife.co.uk 

Here are a few stunning images

BIAZA Press Release

 

25^th January 2011

THE VALUE OF GOOD ZOOS

ZOOS and aquariums are making a dynamic contribution to the UK’s economy, according to a ground-breaking new report.

The British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) have just published An Economic Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Zoo and Aquarium Sector, which shows that its member zoos and aquariums contribute about £645m a year to the economy.

Figures from the report show that as well as being a significant tourism attraction with spending by tourists in zoos of some £246m and spending off-site in the region of £198m, BIAZA zoos and aquariums generate some 11,007 jobs.

The report prepared for BIAZA by John Regan Associates, a company that specialises in finding external funding for zoos and aquariums, was commissioned by BIAZA in order to provide an indication of the value of its membership to the economy.

Its results are intended to be used to engage current and potential partners, particularly in the public sector as a means of stimulating economic activity.

Dr Miranda Stevenson, Director of BIAZA, said: “Zoos and aquariums have a great deal of potential which is not being exploited by the government. They are not only a significant tourist attraction, but are of great conservational, educational and economic value in terms of local economic development and wealth generation. We hope this report will increase the recognition of the contribution they can make to the economy.”

The EIA follows similar studies that have been undertaken in Australasia and the United States, as well as a study currently being carried out in Europe.

It is ground-breaking work which provides a first official articulation of the economic value of the zoo community in the UK.

According to figures from 2010, 25 million people (more than a third of the UK population) visit BIAZA zoos and aquariums every year and more than 1,200,000 of these people do so during an educational visit. Over 600 research projects are carried out and BIAZA members support over 700 field conservation projects contributing over £11 million per year.

There are also a wide range of social benefits arising from the activities of zoos which make an even stronger case for greater investment in this important area of activity. These include links with higher education in terms of training and research, the inculcation of knowledge of the animal world, the promotion of sustainable forms of living and outreach to all sectors of society.

Dr Stevenson added: “This report is the first step towards establishing the value of zoos to the wider economic and social good.”

- ENDS –

WILDFOWL FEEDING FRENZY AT LOWER LAKE!

Despite having very generous visitors who help to feed the many wildfowl (ducks, geese, swans and guinea fowl) at Seaview Wildlife Encounter, the Animal Care Team still feed all the birds every morning and evening. This includes residents and temporary residents – most of the wildfowl are free to come and go as they please (most choose to spend the bulk of their time at the Park where they’re safe and there’s plenty to eat!)

I followed Tara Hayter, Head keeper and Education Officer) down to the lower lake yesterday afternoon to make the most of the early Autumn sunshine and capture a couple of ‘feeding frenzy shots’! Tara looked just like the Pied Piper as all the wildfowl followed her down to the lake!

"Keeper-for-a-Day" - Aidan Pierce

Aidan Pierce had the treat of being 'A Keeper for a Day' today. Aidan, aged 12, attends Lake Middle School on the Isle of Wight. He's planning to become a Zoologist when he's older.

Tara Hayter, Education Officer at the Park, spent most of the day with Aidan and said he had been a great help and really enthusiastic about being part of the Animal Care Team for the day.

When I asked Aidan what he'd experienced he reeled off (with a grin on his face) a list of scratches, nibbles and nudges he was proud to have accumulated from various Park residents! He said he'd had a great day and that the experience had made him even more enthusiastic about pursuing a career involved with animals.

US Oil-spill - tragedy continues

Photo reference: Dead Sea Turtle, courtesy of The Independent.
Information reference: facts quoted courtesy of BBC News on-line.

By now I think we're all aware of the ever-increasing tragedy resulting from one of the world's worst environmental disasters ever.
It's a Bank Holiday in the UK and most of us are fortunate to be enjoying some time relaxing with our families, celebrating the spring weather and getting out and about. Spare a thought as you do so for the myriad of ocean-living creatures that are continuing to perish as a result of the relentless gushing of leaking oil in the Gulf of Mexico.
Media reports state that thousands of gallons of oil are continuing to pump, uncontrolled, into the oceans off America's Gulf Coast every day. According to today's BBC News website at least 20 million gallons have now spilled into the Gulf of Mexico, affecting more than 70 miles (110km) of Louisiana's coastline. At least 12,000 barrels (504,000 gallons) are continuing to leak every day. Despite various attempts to stem the massive leak there has to-date been no success.

Most of us feel so helpless when an environmental disaster such as this occurs - what can we do (if anything) to help the situation? For me there's a feeling of grief at the loss and suffering of all the sea life - mixed with a real frustration at my impotence in being unable to help or really make a difference (and a sense of underlying guilt for being a Homo sapien responsible for the overt consumerism that somehow is at the root of this tragedy).
We are forced to trust that the 'experts' are really doing all that is humanly possible (regardless of associated price-tags) to solve this problem, urgently. Yesterday, University of Alabama engineering professor Philip W Johnson apparently said he was hopeful the new plan to build another dome to cap the leak would succeed; however the oil flow could increase by as much as 20% until the new containment device has been successfully applied over the leak.

Perhaps, if we focus our positive thoughts and prayers towards the Gulf coast today, our combined spiritual energy may somehow help to stem the flow.

Be-a-Keeper-for-a-Day (first participant for 2010!)

Louise Broadhurst is the first person to participate in the newly launched "Be-a-Keeper-for-a-Day programme at Seaview Wildlife Encounter on the Isle of Wight. Louise, aged 14 and from Essex, is on holiday this week; this was her first visit to the Park. This special day as a Keeper was a gift from her Grandparents who are resident on the Island.
Louise enjoyed a busy, varied day shadowing our Education Officer, Tara Hayter; she also spent some time with Headkeeper Craig Holmes.

Some of Louise's activities included cleaning and feeding the newly hatched ducklings in the Incubation House, preparing feed for the newly hatched Humboldt Penguin chicks and then helping to syringe-feed them; assisting with feeding of the adult Penguins, spending time with and helping to feed the Wallabies, the Meerkats and various furry animals in Pets Corner!

At the end of the day Louise said "it's been an amazing day and an unbelievable experience" .

Louise mentioned that she'd like to contact us in the future when she's ready to do a 'work experience' assignment. We look forward to welcoming Louise back to the Park in due course.

Spring Fashion Shoot at the Park!

Just recently we were pleased to host a Spring fashion shoot for the Island's newest magazine - Style of Wight. A great team of people came and spent the morning with us - including Rhian and Peter the two models. We were fortunate enough to have blue skies and sunshine (albeit quite fresh temperatures!). I took a couple of images that give a taster of some of the goings-on.

For those of you who know Dippy (our Head Honcho Humboldt Penguin) you'll notice he's looking his usual 'relaxed in the limelight self' whilst Damien (the Green-Crested Touraco) had to be curtailed from flying into the model's hair (as he so loves to do!) Rhian and Pete spent some fun time working with various animals and birds - you can see the latest edition of Style of Wight for the full article .....

LONELY HEARTS AD

Basil (slightly faulty) desperately seeks Sybil in time for valentines day!

Short, dark and very handsome. A real hairy looker with PLENTY of him to explore. WLTM caring curvaceous female goat with GSOH, who enjoys lots of 'kidding' around, eating out and moon lit strolls through Wallaby Walkabout.

Has a lot to offer the lucky lady goat with luxury accommodation in the popular Seaview Wildlife Park, caring keepers and all the grub she could wish to eat. What more could a girl ask for so....

Will you be my valentine?

Please email: info@seaviewwildlife.com