GO WILD in Wiltshire! <strong>Visitor</strong>s to Longleat have become accustomed to meeting all manner of exotic creatures as they tour the safari park. Lions. Tigers. Monkeys. A whole menagerie of majestic animals, in fact. What they haven’t been able to see – until now – are koalas. But this spring, as part of an important conservation project, five intrepid antipodeans will settle into Koala Creek, their very own, purpose-built walk-through habitat in the heart of the Wiltshire countryside. This marsupial des res comes complete with its own natural stream, eucalyptus trees and climbing poles, plus viewing areas and interpretation boards. There’s even a dedicated Koala Care unit – what more could any new arrival from down under ask for? You can imagine yourself on safari at Cotswold Wildlife Park, too, where giraffe, zebra and lions are waiting to make your acquaintance. Meet giant tortoises. Feed the penguins. Walk amongst lemurs. Or look across the ha ha to stare rhinos in the eye. If big game spotting is a bit too much to cope with, younger children will feel right at home at one of our smaller animal parks. Here there are lambs to stroke, rabbits to handle and newly hatched chicks to coo over, so the ‘aah’ factor will likely be off the clock. Tractor and trailer rides are a guaranteed highlight too. And in the event that anyone has energy to spare, exciting indoor and outdoor play areas provide the perfect place to let off steam. While many of these activities are common to all our animal parks, each has its own unique features as well. Alongside exquisite livestock at Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm, for example, the peak time pig races are a sure-fire hit. On Tractor Ted’s Little Farm at Bowood, after budding mechanics have tackled the mini tractor track and mastered the mechanical diggers they can can take time out to watch the eponymous hero on film. And at Roves Farm, would-be explorers can sharpen up their survival skills with den building and outdoor adventure play. Studley Grange offers a taste of the tropics as you roam amongst some of the world’s most beautiful butterflies. You can meet Rigby the racoon. Say hello to otters Buzz, Einstein and Darwin. Or get to know meerkats Thelma, Louise and JD. At Forest Falconry birds of prey fans will relish the chance to handle, train and hunt with some of nature’s most spectacular birds, including hawks, falcons and owls. While the Hawk Conservancy Trust, with up to three world-class flying displays each day, is a full-on family adventure. Here there are over 150 birds of prey on view… and every visitor can hold one! As you would expect from a county of such outstanding natural beauty, Wiltshire has plenty of indigenous wildlife too. The shy, retiring water-vole for example, to be found along many a riverbank, and the great bustard – now successfully re-introduced to Salisbury Plain after being hunted to extinction there in the 19 th century. With 150 lakes set over 40 square miles, lovely off-road cycle routes, miles of peaceful footpaths and wonderful flora and fauna, Cotswold Water Park is a great place to discover the wonders of our natural world. As is Wiltshire Wildlife Trust’s nature reserve at Langford Lakes, which attracts a whole host of wild birds throughout the year. Depending on the season you can watch as grebes shake their heads in dramatic courtship displays. Look out for Canada geese and tufted duck. Spy the turquoise flash of a kingfisher. Or glimpse the spectacular osprey. Even the elusive and endangered bittern has been spotted creeping silently through the reeds. “Fun for all the family, come rain or shine” > Cotswold Wildlife Park > Forest Falconry > Studley Grange > Roves Farm > Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm > Hawk Conservancy Trust 20 #timeforwiltshire
www.longleat.co.uk visitwiltshire.co.uk 21
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