WITH the latest stage of lockdown easing and the start of the school holidays, Milnthorpe’s Lakeland Wildlife Oasis is the perfect place to let your youngsters and indeed, the whole family, run wild.
Already regarded as one of the area’s best days out, the “little zoo with lots to do” has been winning plaudits for the hard work keepers put in during lockdown, building new enclosures and family-friendly attractions and facilities.
Four huge new state of the art marine tanks transport you straight into ‘Finding Nemo’. Colourful firefish, clownfish, starfish and damselfish share with exotic specimens like horseshoe crabs, bubble tip anemones, and fascinating upside down jellyfish.
Jo Marsden with a Tenric
Outside, the accessible full-height glass walls of the huge new ‘meerkat palace’ means the whole family can enjoy comfortable seating and great views of these popular inhabitants. Release your inner meerkat in the neighbouring sandpit, or take the tunnel right into the middle of the action.
As well as delighted visitors, the zoo has also welcomed lots of new arrivals, from tiny African pygmy mice to colourful African starlings, while Perdy, the enigmatic Madagascan fossa, has just celebrated her 22nd birthday, making her the third oldest fossa in captivity.
Cute little gundis (desert-dwelling guinea pig sized rodents) join the zoo for the first time, alongside firm favourites like the stunning snow leopards, many of whom have contributed to important captive breeding programmes.
mango 2
‘Love Island’-style romance could be in the air for hot new hairy armadillo couple Nessa and Dozer, while Dylan the dik-dik gazelle has two doe-eyed girlfriends to show off in the Africa Drylands paddock.
As a registered educational conservation charity, friendly keepers are happy to chat about the amazing lifestyles, habits, and importance of their exotic charges. Would-be David Attenboroughs can also get up close and personal through additional ‘meet the animal’ experience sessions with meerkats, lemurs and emperor tamarin monkeys.
And feeding time isn’t only for the animals; the onsite Wild Café ensures everyone can stay refreshed and refuelled. Reassuringly, the zoo is still operating well-practised safety standards, like pre-booking and one-way systems. With lots of new areas and exhibits, natural flow ensures a comfortable, relaxed visit; the perfect place for a wild day out.
Finley gets close up to the leopard
The Lakeland Wildlife Oasis is open every day, with advance booking required as part of distancing guidelines. To keep up to date, see www.wildlifeoasis.co.uk, and ‘Lakeland Wildlife Oasis’ on Facebook.
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