V.I.P. Wildlife Encounters proving very popular at Seaview Wildlife

A fast flurry of V.I.P. Wildlife Encounter bookings are coming in almost on a daily basis.  Over the Christmas period these special Park experiences proved very popular Christmas gift ideas and many park vouchers were sent out to customers wishing to purchase such a unique present for their family and friends.
All six of our encounters are extremely popular but there is one family that keeps booking every year for our fabulous keeper for a Day Experience.  Esther and Jonathan Murphy are joining us again – I believe this is going to be Esther’s 5th KFAD with us!  Our amazing Animal Care Team must be doing something right to generate such impressive repeat business like this!



Above:  Images of Esther and Jonathan with some of our exquisite animals – if you are wondering what to buy a special friend or family member this year or you just fancy having a ‘ behind the scenes, hands-on, extraordinary Wildlife extravaganza’ then the most happening place on the Island for all the above is Seaview Wildlife Encounter’!   http://www.seaviewwildlife.com/wildlife_encounters/Keeper_for_a_day/

How can the world stop this terrible trade and how can we help?

 

Rhino poaching in South Africa reaches record levels

By Matt McGrath Environment correspondent, BBC News
A dead rhino is dehorned by a researcher in Zimbabwe
Continue reading the main story

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Figures from the South African government indicate that poaching for rhinoceros has increased substantially in the last year.
A record 668 rhinos were killed for their horns in 2012, up almost 50% on the number for 2011.
The majority of the animals were killed in the Kruger national park, the country's biggest wildlife reserve.
Continue reading the main story

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Rhinos are being illegally killed...all for the frivolous use of their horns as a hangover cure”

Sabri Zain TRAFFIC
Experts say that growing demand for rhino horn in Asia is driving the slaughter.
South Africa is home to around three quarters of the world's rhinoceros population of around 28,000 animals. In 2007 a mere 13 animals were lost to poachers.
But since then the killing has increased substantially. It is being fuelled by the belief in countries like China and Vietnam that powdered rhino horn has medicinal powers and can impact diseases like cancer. Horns can sell for around $65,000 a kg.
Poaching crisis
The rich rewards have attracted criminal gangs who deploy a range of sophisticated technologies in their efforts to capture and dehorn the animals.
The South African government have attempted to fight back using soldiers and surveillance aircraft, but the numbers indicate they are losing the fight.
Rhino horn slices being sold in Japan
According to a recent report from the wildlife monitoring network, TRAFFIC, South Africa's rhinos are now facing a poaching crisis that will lead to a population decline.
"Rhinos are being illegally killed, their horns hacked off and the animals left to bleed to death," says Traffic's director of advocacy Sabri Zain, "all for the frivolous use of their horns as a hangover cure."
Five more rhinos have been killed since the start of this year according to the South African government.
But the country is not alone in facing a threat to its rare rhino population.
India is home to more that 2,200 rhinoceros which are found in the well-protected Kaziranga reserve.
However even the use of around 900 armed rangers and guards hasn't been able to stop the poachers. Last year across India, 18 animals were killed, up from ten in 2011.

New Keeper Jo joins the Animal Care Team for 2013

I have always been fascinated with working with animals, however I never saw a career in the subject until I visited Zimbabwe for 4 weeks, volunteering at a Lion Conservation Park called, Antelope Park. After returning home, I was very interested in working with all types of animals, and definitely saw this as a career path. 







I have been at Seaview Wildlife encounter for 4 days, and I have enjoyed every minute. I have learnt so much already, and received a lot of help and support from the other Keepers.


On my first day at work, I got straight into the hard work, as well as being chased by a turkey, which was very entertaining. I wake up in the morning, looking forward to going to work.








I look forward to the Summer Season, to see the public walking around the park, and to complete my first public talk although I will probably be very nervous!

Tara Returns to Work

Well 2012 was certainly an eventful year for me, Tara (Head Keeper). I was last seen at Work in March, waddling up to the penguins carrying a big bump around with me, which was of course my beautiful daughter Amelie-Rose. Now 9 months on I have returned to work on a part time basis… minus the bump!
I must admit it was extremely difficult to leave the house without shedding a tear as Amelie waved goodbye saying ‘ba ba’, however once I arrived at the Park and got stuck in it was like I had never left!




I thoroughly enjoyed my first day back and seeing all the Animals I missed so much especially Dippy and Skipper, our friendly Humboldt Penguins, and welcoming new Keeper Jo, who has recently joined the Animal Care Team for the coming season.

I came away with only one injury and that was from one of our boisterous Turkeys, who I can only imagine is getting their own back after all the Christmas dinners enjoyed!




 Needless to say I can’t wait for Amelie’s first visit and the chance for her to get so close to the Animals here at the Park and of course welcoming all our regular visitors back to the Park upon opening in March… A Happy New Year to all!

TURKEYS ARE FOR LIFE NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS

Our Turkey’s at the Park are for life ~ not just for Christmas!! 
I was looking at our three Turkeys today…. strutting around the Wallaby Paddock, chattering away to one another and thought if only they knew how lucky they are!  Lots and lots of space, a nice shed bedded down with straw and food on tap!  One of them has been a little ‘ fiesty’ lately chasing and biting the Keepers when we let them out in the mornings – we all laugh that they have a good spirit and look so funny running after us !
Some Turkey Facts:
Did you know the UK consumes around 10 million turkeys at Christmas. 
Turkey's scientific name is Meleagris gallopava (mel-e-AY-gris-low-PAY-voe) from Latin gallus, meaning cock, and pavo, meaning chickenlike. Meleagris is the Roman name for guineafowl, suggestive of the early confusion of the turkey with guineafowl.
It is by no means clear how the turkey gained its name - one colourful theory claims a certain resemblance between the turkey stag's head and the helmet of a soldier of the Turkish Empire.
Another suggestion is from the wild turkey's call which sounds like turk-turk-turk. Another likely explanation is that in the 16th century, merchants trading along the seaboards of the Mediterranean were known as Turkes. They probably included the birds in their merchandise and they became known as turkey fowls.
One theory is that Columbus thought the new world was connected to India and that turkeys were really peacocks, so he named them "Tuka" which is peacock in the Tamil language of India.
In Spain, the turkey was often referred to as Indian fowl, an allusion which is repeated in the French ‘dindon’ formed with d'Inde which means ‘from India’.
Turkeys have been around for 10 million years - there are fossils to prove it.
The American Indians hunted wild turkey for its sweet, juicy meat as early as 1000AD. Turkey feathers were used to stabilise arrows and adorn ceremonial dress, and the spurs on the legs of wild tom turkeys were used as projectiles on arrowheads.
Turkeys are believed to have first been brought to Britain in 1526 by Yorkshireman William Strickland - he acquired six birds from American Indian traders on his travels and sold them for tuppence each in Bristol.
Henry VIII was the first English king to enjoy turkey, although Edward VII made eating turkey fashionable at Christmas.
Enjoy your Turkeys this Christmas – Our three just don’t know how lucky they really are !!!!

A Vacancy for a Animal Keeper / Presenter has arisen…..

A rare and exciting opportunity has arisen to join the dynamic Animal Care Team at the Island’s largest, multi-award winning Wildlife Attraction.  This is a seasonal position from January to the end of October, 2013.
The position involves all animal husbandry duties and giving daily talks to the public.  The successful incumbent will be an exceptional ‘ people-person’ who has the ability to lead promotional events such as  ‘ Keeper for a day ‘ , ‘ Junior Wildlife Experience ‘ , ‘ One-On-One Wildlife Encounters’ and ‘ Wildest Place for a Special Date ‘ .
A mature, friendly, outgoing person is required with a very hands-on approach.  Applicants should be well spoken, team-orientated and physically fit, able to roll up their sleeves and willing to get involved!
This is a demanding, outdoor role, five days a week including weekends and bank holidays.  Previous hands-on animal care experience and a relevant qualification is preferred.
Hours when Park is closed 9am – 2.00/2.30pm Hours when Park is open 8.30am – 4.30pm
Applicants should live locally with own transport arrangements as accommodation is not provided.
Closing date Friday 21st December, 2012.  Please send current up to date CV and covering letter to Lorraine Adams, Director either via email at info@seaviewwildlife.com or by post to Seaview Wildlife Encounter, Oakhill Road, Seaview, Isle Of Wight.  PO34 5AP.

Four Wallabies on the move

Yesterday Matt from Specialist Wildlife Services came to the Park with his friend and volunteer Debra to collect four male wallabies from our productive Mob. We have a very successful breeding programme each year with these marsupials and over crowding in Wallaby Walkabout and in-breeding are the reasons behind the decision to move some of the surplus males on to new homes.
Many thanks to Matt who has a very interesting Job travelling around the UK and to Europe to rescue all sorts of creatures from Annie the Elephant to bears, wolves down to tiny hedgehogs!  Our ‘boys’ have arrived safely at the Berkshire Agriculture College that is a Vet training college and hosts an animal management course.  Our Wallabies are going to be seriously loved, pampered and very well looked after!

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Our Chilean Flamingo Chick is doing so so well – you may remember some blogs back that we told you about our little orphaned Chilean Chick.  He is doing really well – feeding by himself and is very vocal and responsive.  We have all grown rather fond of him ( or her we are not sure yet!)  His legs have become dry and Matt suggested yesterday that we stand him in water for a while each day.  In the wild they would be in water for many hours dabbling and searching for food so the next best thing the Keepers could think of was standing the little flamingo in a bucket of warm water!  He didn’t seem to mind one bit and just  stood very still and quiet.

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