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You are here > Home > Visitor Info > More Information > Visit Devon News > A Devon animal park in lockdown.
24th November 2020
Categories: Visitor News
While restaurants, shops and seeing friends at the pub is currently suspended, the work doesn't stop for the UK's many zoos and wildlife parks.
Wildwood Escot near Ottery St Mary is home to native British species of animals which need not only food and water, but also need daily enrichment and training as well as health checks and vet care.
This must take place while many members of staff are furloughed, to keep costs down.
The conservation of endangered British wildlife such as the hazel dormouse, beavers and pine martens is at the core of the Wildwood Escot and the park is run by wildlife charity 'Wildwood Trust'.
The Trust breeds animals with the aim of releasing healthy young to boost declining populations in the wild. It also educates and informs the public of the importance of British wildlife through educational courses and media work.
Sadly, numerous releases and reintroductions to the wild have been postponed due to the impact of covid-19, putting extra strain on the trust's facilities and pushing finances to the brink.
Wildwood Escot has been closed for almost three weeks now – at the same time garden centres, botanical gardens and other similar outdoor attractions remain open. hile lockdown continues, these animals could be running out of time.
Wildwood Trust is currently running a covid appeal for people wanting to support the park and its animals during lockdown.
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