After more than eight months of lockdown over the last year, Wildwood Escot, the British wildlife conservation charity and family attraction near Ottery St Mary, is celebrating the joys of spring as it prepares to reopen its gates when restrictions for zoos and wildlife parks lift on April 12th and to welcome visitors for the latter part of the Easter holidays.
The park’s collection of British species, past and present, are ready to greet visitors just as nature is also springing into action. Birds are singing all around the park, flowers and trees will be blossoming in the park’s woodland and the signs of spring are everywhere.
The park has planned a special Easter activity treat, where visitors can get hands on while exploring the mythologies of medieval spring and all the historic legends connected to Easter time in their authentic Anglo Saxon Village.
“We’re really thrilled to welcome visitors back to Wildwood from April 12th. The team can’t wait to hear the park filled with children’s laughter and see people making the most of reconnecting with wildlife again. We couldn’t be happier!” Said George Hyde, General Manager at Wildwood Escot.
Some adorable new additions have joined Wildwood during the Coronavirus pandemic, including male arctic fox, Miska, that the public recently helped to name.
“Lots of our animals enjoy their interactions with our visitors and arctic foxes are known to be extraordinarily curious, so we look very much forward to introducing Miska to our visitors for the very first time!” said Ben Gregory, senior keeper at Wildwood Escot.
Other new additions include adorable hazel dormice pups which are part of the charity’s conservation programme and two new red squirrel females, joining the park as part of Wildwood’s national breeding and release programme.
Firm favourites, the otter family at Wildwood Escot, have also been scouting for visitors: “They’re so full of fun and they keep us on our toes every day with their quirky antics. While we haven’t had visitors to the park, the keepers have all been coming up with inventive ways to ensure that all our animals get lots of enrichment that encourages natural skills such as foraging, use of all the senses, investigating and just plain playing,” said Ben
The charity is currently also working hard to finish preparations to welcome two brown bear cubs; Mish and Lucy, this spring.
Wildwood Escot has put in place the same Covid security measurements which earned them the Visit England ‘Good to Go’ seal of approval following the first lockdown, highlighting covid-safe places to visit. The Park has been praised by visitors for its easy-to-follow and sensible covid security features.
To read more about the covid safety measures at Wildwood Escot and how to visit, go to devon.wildwoodtrust.org/wildwood-escot-reopening-plans/