Quotes of the week

" Having a wonderful time - beautiful Park. Lovely animals, great staff. My son is delighted - you deserve your awards! Thanks for a fab day". Firkins, Midlands.

" What a wonderful Park, lots of wonderful animals. Best one I have been to by far". Mr. & Mrs. Rodman

" Best animal Park I have ever been to - keep up the good work". K. Elkin, Kent

" This place is just too beautiful for words, we loved it". P. Smith, Kent.

"Visited Isle Of Wight three times, Seaview Wildlife visited three times. Will be back to the IOW and will have Seaview Wildlife at the top of the 'To Do' list". Paul Harvey, Herts.

" Wish we came here before we went to Robin Hill as excellent for younger children. Will definately be back next year" Maple & Buston-Barker Family, Bognor Regis.

BRAND NEW HATCHINGS!

The newly hatched Snow Gosling pictured here on the right is one of six who ventured into the world this morning. The beautiful late Spring weather is perfect for them. Our Half Term visitors are being treated to a feast of young animals and birds all over the Park!





Ella Hardy is captured above having a close encounter with a Snow Gosling that hatched earlier today. Both parents and their gaggle of Goslings have been moved to a safe enclosure to protect the youngsters from being preyed upon by opportunistic Crows, Ravens or Seagulls.


A first glimpse of a tiny Cygnet - under Mum's wing - hatched earlier this morning down near the Lower Lake at Seaview Wildlife Encounter. Both parents are keeping a constant vigil. The Animal Care Team are hoping the youngsters will thrive - although historically this has not always been the case, so they'll be closely monitored and tended!

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.

Barrow load of Babes!

One of our younger visitors, Cameron Evans (above), spotted making friends with a few of the baby Penguins as they're ferried through the Park in their customised wheelbarrow taxi!






Animal Keeper Fern Daley is captured in the image on the left transporting this year's Humboldt Penguin chicks from their daytime 'creche' near the main penguin pool back to their night-time quarters in the incubation house.

This is a twice-a-day happening at the Park at this time of year - and extremely popular amongst our visitors! The chicks are now between 8 and 10 weeks of age. They're growing fast but won't be ready to join the adult colony on a full-time basis for the next few weeks - when their waterproof adult plumage has grown through.

Launch of new Italian "Coffee Corner" at Seaview Wildlife

Barry Chiverton recently joined the Team at Seaview Wildlife as our coffee specialist! Bringing with him many years of experience in the preparation of specialist Italian coffees, Barry is extremely enthusiastic about the launch of "Coffee Corner" - opened this week at the Park. Adjacent to the existing cafe "Coffee Corner" offers visitors a selection of delicious coffees, all authentically made - courtesy of Barry and a swish new Coffee Machine!
To accompany your chosen coffee (i.e. Americano, Latte, Cappuccino, Mocha, etc). There's a choice of sweet treats including Danish pastries, muffins, special cookies and flapjacks. On hotter days the Iced Coffee alternatives are already proving a very popular choice amongst our discerning Park visitors!

Image shows Barry Chiverton at the Park's new "Coffee Corner" coffee machine

Quotes of the week at Seaview Wildlife, Isle Of Wight

" We came here a lot 20 + years ago lots of times. First time back so pleased its not changed much. Please keep it the same - my Grandchildren enjoyed it as much as my children did - thank you" Kisklonski Family, Cambridge

"After many visits this is the best we have seen the Park. The attention to detail is first class. Keep up the good work". Jenny & Dave Robinson, Winford, IOW

"A fascinating & enchanting Park - in our estimation Seaview Wildlife is an out right winner!" Pat & Peter Felix, Redhill, Surrey

" Amazing Park loved every minute. Came 12 years ago and still great. Loved the birds and feeding the ducks and all the other animals. Will definately be back again" Anna & Andy Parsonage, Surrey.

" What a great Park! Lots to see and really well laid out and presented. Lovely staff too. Suitable for all ages too. Great stuff" . Andrew, Rachel & Faith Batten Roche, St. Austell, Cornwall

Letter of the Week - from Jenny Robinson

Dear Jules

It was so good to meet you and chat with you. Dave and I covered every inch of the Park today from 10.30 to 3.15 and I can honestly say it was the best day out we have had in a long time. We first visited the Flamingo Park as it was then, in the mid, 1980's, with our two children and remember it being one of their favourite attractions along with the Sandown zoo. It must be something to do with being able to get up close and personal with the animals. I certainly experienced that today as we went round. Even the 'caged' birds and animals didn't give the impression of being restricted. I particularly enjoyed the Oriental exhibit. Another one I found amusing was where the mother ducks were located with all their chicks. Without fail, every time a few people moved towards the wire, they all came running up as one. Appropriate really, seeing as they were the Runner Ducks!
I remember reading in the County Press some years ago about how they were experiencing problems getting the Caribbean Flamingos to breed, and putting out a request for people to supply them with mirrors to use as a backdrop to create the impression of a larger flock. It seems to have worked wonders although I noticed the mirrors are still in place.
The staff were extremely helpful especially when we were in the tropical house looking in the millipede tank. The lid was not in place and I was just thinking to myself that it had done a runner, when a member of staff came up to me and said 'I have got it here'. I was able to touch it and experience the feel of its body and see the tiny legs compared to the size of its body before she placed it back in the tank.
At the risk of waffling on too long, suffice it to say I was greatly impressed by the pristine appearance of the whole of the Park and to think it is still a work in progress in some parts. May you continue to flourish and attract visitors from both the mainland and the Island. I wouldn't have any hesitation in recommending it as a top-class place to visit with or without children.
I plan to return next week to make a video diary and to find out what is happening with the washroom/office!!
All the best
Jenny Robinson

I've included a photo I took earlier today of a Green-Crested Touraco ('Damian') in our Tropical House.