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The weather was perfect for personal Wildlife Experiences this weekend! What a difference a day makes – today has been grizzly (grey and drizzly) all day long … just look at these weekend images showing blue skies and sunny smiles all round …
Rebecca (Becky) Jones (images below) was a Keeper for a Day with us on Saturday. This was a gift to Becky from her parents, Mike and Gerrie (Mike does our advertising design work) as a belated special day after the birth of her daughter.
Also on Saturday (6th October) we welcomed Megan Davis who experienced her own unique Meerkat Encounter (images below):
On Sunday 7th October thirteen year old Oliver Niemiec (pictured below) was our Keeper for a Day (Oliver said his favourite animals were the Meerkats)
Yesterday, Sarah and Alan Barnett treated themselves to a Combo Encounter – experiencing personal, close-up time with both the Penguins and Meerkats (a few of their images are below):
Last week, our vet Dr Ian Green, visited our collection - not only to consult on specific cases but as part of our Pro-active Healthcare Programme. This is an essential part of our zoo licence requirements. During this bi-annual visit the overall health of the collection is reviewed, collection strategies and future expansion plans are discussed and a range of preventative treatments are agreed upon. The morning was combined with a bi-annual Ethical Review Meeting where a number of topics relating to our collection were discussed. Those present included three Park representatives (Director, General Manager and Head Keeper), the Park veterinarian and a neutral third party who has no connections with the Park. Sometimes topics can be quite emotive or even controversial and such a Review Meeting allows for a tabling of ideas and a chance for those present to share their views and opinions.
A few images taken during the ‘walk round’ with the vet:
Above: Trimming the Pigs’ trotters (quite a challenging task as the Pigs don’t take kindly to having their feet fiddled with!)
Above: Chilean Flamingo chick being examined and hand-fed
Above: Vet examines ‘Squirt’ the Penguin’s feet. Squirt has been suffering from a condition known as ‘Bumblefoot’ – sores on the soles of his feet. This is not contagious but does require the Penguin’s feet to be kept dry whilst undergoing treatment. Once given the ‘all-clear’ the Penguin patient is then permitted to re-join the rest of the colony back at the Penguin pool.
Squirt – making his way (with great enthusiasm!) from the treatment room – back to the Penguin pool to re-join his pals!
Down at the Lower Lake, walking, talking and reviewing, whilst surrounded by a myriad of magnificent wildfowl.
1st October, 2012
Dear Sirs,
We would like to thank you and all your staff for our warm welcome last Wednesday in the pouring rain!!
Despite this or in spite of – our Members all enjoyed their visit and were able to appreciate the lovely presentation of the Park. They commented particularly on how neat and clean everywhere was and the friendliness of the Keepers.
We also appreciated the support of the cafe staff who didn’t mind some of our less able members taking rather longer with their refreshments to avoid the rain.
We did not get one moan but lots of thank you’s for bringing them to your Park.
Thank you and well done to all concerned.
Yours sincerely
Marion & Peter Hickmans – Parkinson UK Fareham & District Branch.
It was really good to spend time with our two guests, Chris Lucas and Vanessa Smith earlier this week when they joined us for a “Combo Encounter” (feeding and spending close-up time with both the Penguins and Meerkats). Originally from Zimbabwe, Chris and Vanessa are both wildlife enthusiasts who had spotted our “Wildlife Encounters” on the internet. They seemed to enjoy every moment and were amazed at the wonderful experiences they’d had on the Isle of Wight. Vanessa asked me why I thought the Island wasn’t marketed into mainland UK more strongly … she reckons it knocks spots off going to Spain or Portugal, an Island with something for everyone – so many choices and great wildlife opportunities! We hope Vanessa may help to spread the word, and we look forward to welcoming them both back again when they’re next on the Island!
Capturing a Meerkat moment ….
This is Sangu, the Meerkat matriarch in our mob of three Slender-Tailed Meerkats (Suricata suricatta). In a classic Meerkat pose – an upright stance – she is alert and observant. We’re hoping that Sangu and our young male, Pongo, might become more than just close friends in the months ahead and start letting nature take its course. The prospect of a litter of pups - and being able to share miniature Meerkat moments with you - is something that would really delight all of us here at the Park ….
Photography by Jules Brittan, General Manager
As you may already know, the Park closes on Sunday 4th November for the Isle of Wight’s “winter recess” – so please don’t miss out on your chance to experience a personal, one-on-one Wildlife Encounter – book now by clicking on: http://www.seaviewwildlife.com/summary/wildlife_encounters/ – it’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Yesterday (Sunday 30th) we welcomed Rosie Egerton for her Junior Wildlife Experience (pictured below):
Then Mickey and Ania had their own special Penguin Encounter:
This morning Monday 1st October) Jackie Bennett (pictured below) had a Penguin Encounter. Jackie spent time on the Faulkland Islands where she was involved in some conservational work with Penguins, so she’s a real enthusiast!
Looking forward to welcoming you to Seaview Wildlife Encounter before 4th November!
