All new Penguin plumage – the moult is finally over!

We’ve blogged a couple of times this summer about how slow the moulting period has been for our Humboldt Penguins this year – and now, at last , they’ve all finished and finally have the most beautiful new feathers to show off.  The colony is looking ultra chic and on top form – it’s almost as though the Penguins are dressed in tuxedos, on their way to a very smart event!  I’ve included two photos taken yesterday showing Dippy and Desmond with their streamlined, proud new look!

DIPPY (above left)– still stunningly handsome at the age of 17! DESMOND (above right) aged 4 showing off his gorgeous new plumage!

Lovely card received today

“Dear Jules and all the staff at Seaview Wildlife Encounter,
We wanted to write and thank you for the amazing time that we spent with you on our ‘Wildest Date’!
It was a wonderful experience, definitely the highlight of our holiday and a perfect way to celebrate our 1st anniversary together.  Everything from the welcome we received to our lunch was brilliant, and spending time so close with the animals was just awesome!
Our day with you was better than we could have imagined and we will definitely be back soon.
From Hannah Cope and Tom Easthope.”
  Hannah and Tom during their ‘Wildest Date’ here at the Park, 7th August 2012

Hippy Dippy gears up for the Bestival!

BESTIVAL 2012 = 6, 7. 8, 9 SEPTEMBER
A BIT ABOUT BESTIVAL:
According to Wiki Festivals: “Bestival is an open air music festival held on the Isle of Wight since 2004, the festival was founded by DJ Rob Da Bank who is still in charge of organising it.  This is an ideal festival for those who like odd, yet innovative boutique festivals, that encourage fancy dress and good natured entertainment for all.  In 2004, the festival was attended by 10,000 people, a figure which has since increased to 43,000 in 2009 and 55,000 in 2010.”
lINE UP of performing artists: it’s a real treat this year with loads of talent including two of Dippy’s favourites – Stevie Wonder and Florence + The Machine.

Dippy getting into the groove, ready for a four day Bestival feast coming up on the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th of September!

Our three marvellous Meerkats!

I couldn’t resist sharing these recent images of Pongo (male), Sangu (dominant female) and Lula (subordinate female) – our three gorgeous Slender-Tailed Meerkats who continue to be so popular with all our visitors – especially those who have experienced the magic of a Meerkat Encounter this summer!

PONGO
   

SANGU


LULA
 

SANGU & LULA – catching some shade in the Midday sun today (yes, believe it or not it was really warm here on the Isle of Wight today!
 
Photography: Jules Brittan: General Manager, Seaview Wildlife Encounter

A huggable horde of Harvest Mice!

The official adjective for a group of Harvest Mice (Micromys minutus) is apparently a “nest, colony, harvest, horde or mischief” – what a wonderfully descriptive choice of words!    The image below, taken earlier today, shows a heap (or rather, horde!) of our male Harvest Mice huddled and muddled together on a small branch in their enclosure – this is quite common behaviour regardless of their sex and seems to be unconnected with the ambient temperature or time of year.

Latest Wildlife Encounters!

We’ve had some really great guests over the past few days who visited us, not only to enjoy the beauty of the Park but to experience the absolute magic of our V.I.P. Wildlife Encounters. 
On Thursday 30th August we welcomed Bethany Partridge for her Junior Wildlife Experience.

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Then in the afternoon Daniel Brinton joined the team for his Meerkat Encounter! Daniels mum, Lisa Brinton was actually the winner of our “Name the meerkat” competition!

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On Friday 31st August 2012 we were joined in the morning by Nancy Green and Vicky Whitewick. Nancy visited us last year for a Junior Wildlife Experience and enjoyed it so much she decided to return this year with her friend Vicky!

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On Saturday 1st September Nicola and Jack had the chance to feed and get up close to our cheeky penguins during their Penguin Encounter!

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Thank you to all our special guests for choosing a One-on-One Wildlife Encounter at Seaview Wildlife!

HAPPY WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS

I just had to write to you to record just how much my grand children enjoyed their encounter
last week. Both of the girls have loved all animals since they were babies. Particularly Aria,who since she could walk and talk has wanted to be a vet!
They can't wait to go to school tomorrow to tell their friends and teachers. And they have the lovely photo's taken of them as evidence.
Once again thank you for a day I am sure they like we, will never forget.
A special thanks to Jules.
Joan Turner