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Photo: Courtesy of Rodney Harris. Very pleased you put the photo on your blog, I have had a look at it there. We
have been many times before and this time we introduced friends to your park.
They loved it. Keep doing what you are doing.Best Wishes, Rodney Harris
The above image was kindly sent in by Rodney Harris of Becky our hard working animal keeper having a cuddle with our tame Humboldt Penguins. Now that they have come through their summer moult they are in fine fettle and are back to their cheeky antics and feeding well!
We have a questionnaire on the back of our 2012 Quiz Trail sheet and one of the questions and feedback we ask for from our visitors is:~
Did you enjoy your visit and was it what you were expecting? Here are some fabulous answers…
“
We certainly did enjoy it. It TOTALLY exceeded our expectations. It is the best animal park we’ve ever visited. A really friendly Park . What makes it unique is the close proximity to the animals. The animals were imaginitively housed. The Keepers and all the Staff were fantastic”
“
We had a great time. It is the best Wildlife Park we have ever been too! Fantastic day out could not be better! Loved being able to feed the penguins & parrots. Really enjoyed the hands on feel and interacting with the animals”
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Enjoyed visit very much. It was exactly what we expected and more. Found all the staff approachable, friendly and knowledgable. Thank you for making my day with Gran Dad and Gran Ma special”
During the last two days we’ve been having a buzzing, bustling time with our wonderful Wildlife Encounters. As it’s the middle of the summer school holidays there have been a flurry of bookings for young and old alike to enjoy the treat of a personal, one-on-one Encounter with our fabulous wildlife here at the Park.
Louise, Julia and George (above), here on holiday from Basingstoke, joined us in the morning for a “Combo Encounter” – enjoying close-up time with the Penguins and then the Meerkats.
Brooke Foster (above) was treated to a Junior Wildlife Experience as her 8th birthday present from her Mum and Dad.
Naomi Issitt (above) is on the Island holidaying with her husband and two sons. Naomi has an absolute passion for Penguins so this Penguin Encounter was something really special for her! Locke took a particular shine to Naomi and kept offering her leaves - as though asking her to build a nest with him!
Libby (left above), Jessica (centre) and Ethan Turrell had a Meerkat Encounter with us this afternoon. Libby and Jessica are twins (aged 9) and Ethan is their younger brother (aged 6). They’re on the Island on holiday with their Mum and Dad who treated them to this close-up wildlife experience.
The feedback and comments from our visitors about their time in the Park has been truly amazing this year – even more so than ever before. Since the introduction of a wider choice of One-on-One Wildlife Encounters participants are so overwhelmed with excitement they can hardly wait to make repeat bookings for their next visit to the Isle of Wight!
Yesterday and today we’ve welcomed five more participants into our Wildlife Encounters. Yesterday 14 year old Zara Hiddlestone (pictured above) joined us as a Keeper for a Day.
Six year old Amelia Tarry (above) had a Junior Wildlife Experience yesterday morning. Once Amelia overcame her initial apprehension she seemed to really enjoy herself!
Yesterday afternoon brother and sister – Charlie (13) and Grace (8) – pictured above - were absolute naturals in relating to all the animals during their Junior Wildlife Experience.
Today (Tuesday 21st August) was Combo Encounter time for Brenda and Jennifer Kay (above)
This afternoon was Rebecca Kay’s turn to have a Junior Wildlife Experience. Becky (aged 7, pictured above) was quite nervous when first encountering each new species of animal but, with guidance from Animal Keeper, Lucy, along with my encouragement from behind the lens, Becky became quite courageous and repeatedly said she wanted to go back for more!
Regular Blog readers will know that animal enrichment is a regular and fun part of our animal care programme here at Seaview Wildlife Encounter. This involves giving the animals new, interesting games and experiences to enrich their lives and keep them stimulated. Enrichment activities are often centred around feeding times – where the Keepers devise ways to make meals more interesting – encouraging natural foraging behaviour and elements of ‘hide and seek’ rather than just dishing food out on a plate.
Over the past couple of days the Animal Care Team have been involved in various activities. We’ve included a few photos (above) capturing some moments of enrichment activity with the Otters, Meerkats, Penguins and Goats. These included a rubber ball on a rope and introducing a mirror – to see whether any species noticed or reacted to their own reflection. The outcome of the mirror enrichment exercise – no animals seemed to be aware of their reflection (they only explored the mirror as they would any new object placed into their enclosure) except for Ollie the Pygmy Goat who took cognisance of the reflection – whether realising this was himself or another Goat we’re not too sure!
I particularly like the image (above left) of Dippy looking over his shoulder with the mirror behind him – giving the impression he is examining his moulting, scruffy-looking back! The image above right shows one of the Otters with a feather in his mouth – Otters are very inquisitive and use their front paws and mouths to test, taste and explore everything they come into contact with!
It has been yet another busy weekend full of sunshine and Wildlife Encounters! One of our most popular encounters this weekend has been with the Meerkats, with three sessions taking place in the last two days!
First up on Thursday the 16th August Kieran and Charlie (pictured below) joined us in the morning for their Penguin Encounter:
Then in the afternoon Rebecca and Aaron (below) visited for their Junior Wildlife Experience:
On Friday the 17th of August we were joined in the morning by Angela and Hannah Palmer for their Meerkat Encounter:
Then later in the day it was the turn of Simon Hack, who was on holiday on the island for a few days taking a break from his profession as a travel photographer!
Alistair joined the team on Saturday 18th August for his One-on-One Encounter with the Meerkats:
Sunday the 19th August was another glorious hot and sunny day, and the animal team were joined this time by Jan Martyn for her Combo Encounter with the Penguins and Meerkats:
We wished Lily Burr a HAPPY BIRTHDAY on Saturday – Lily, along with her friends and family were here at the Park celebrating her 6th birthday!
Yesterday (Sunday) it was Kira Lacey’s 8th birthday celebration here at Seaview Wildlife and the Team wished her a very happy day.
Birthday parties can be booked and enjoyed for families and friends – just click on: http://www.seaviewwildlife.com/wildlife_encounters/Birthday_parties/
“
WOW ~ what can I say! AMAZING DAY OUT Brilliant little park you have here – keep it up”
“
‘WOW’ how this Park has improved over the years, beautiful enclosures and everything is so clean. Keeper for a Day a wonderful experience with friendly staff. One of the best attractions on the Island”
“
Smashing place to come to, real value for money ~ brilliant selection of animals. Food gorgeous and everyone really happy to help. Would recommend to everyone”
“
What a fantastic place – a real gem – my son loved feeding the birds and got braver as the day wore on and the catering staff were so helpful in meeting the food needs of a highly energetic boy! Thank you x “
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Brilliant day to spend our Silver Wedding Anniversary. What a beautiful place”
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My daughter Abi was a ‘Keeper for a Day’ -
what an amazing experience. Thank you Fern, Grace, Lucy, Jake and all at Seaview”
“
AMAZING FUN , animals are brilliant and really well looked after TOP ATTRACTION!!”
“
My idea of heaven ~ loved it”
We’ve had the pleasure of having the company of a “Keeper for a Day” almost every day since the start of the summer holidays. Just one of those who participated this week was Abigail Mint (pictured below) who joined us on Tuesday (13th August)– whilst on holiday from Kent – Abi especially enjoyed the Penguins and Wallabies.
On the same day, Tekla Farr (below) loved her Meerkat Encounter!
Monty Guerra (aged 9, below) is on holiday on the Isle of Wight with his parents – and was treated to a Combo Encounter.
Yesterday (Wednesday 15th August) brother and sister (Laurance and Yasmine Schmid, below) thoroughly enjoyed their Junior Wildlife Experience. To make it a real family event, their Gran, Jayne (also pictured below), joined them for a Combo Encounter, thereby sharing the magical close-up time in with the Penguins and Meerkats.
Thank you to those of you who have experienced the wonderment of a Wildlife Encounter with us this summer. For those who haven’t yet treated themselves – we still have some bookings available – check out our website - http://www.seaviewwildlife.com/summary/wildlife_encounters/
See you soon!
