by Veronica
Set in 24 acres of beautiful countryside, the Lake District Wildlife Park has over 100 species of animals. I am usually opposed to zoos and such but these animals are beautifully looked after in wide open lakeland moorlands and are well cared for.
Starting life as a farm, it became Trotters World of Animals and developed into the Lake District Wildlife Park. It has become a centre for conservation, education about animals.
It is about fifteen minutes from Keswick.
During the day there are regular displays and animals handling sessions where the staff and keeper share their knowledge. They are very patient. The rabbits were well chosen for even the youngest children to touch. They were so gentle. The staff give clear instructions to wash hands after all sessions and there is a hygiene station with anti bacterial products to use freely during the visit.
 Animal handling sessions Veronica's photo |
 BIrd of prey display. |
 The large owl |
Look at the wingspan on that bird on the left of the first picture. The vulture was feeling uncooperative that day though. It sat for 45 minutes on a post and wouldn't move. The bird keeper's knowledge was outstanding.
 The vulture wouldn't join in. |
The meerkats are a huge favourite with Brits and their area was always full of visitors. They seem to have sharp hearing and their ears twitch as they focus in on sounds. One of them seems to be a digger.
 digger meerkat Veronica's photo |
 Meerkats Veronica's photo |
 Kookaburra Veronica's photo |
This bird was so beautiful. His feathers looked as soft as silk and he sat still and patient.
 capybara Veronica's photo |
The Capybara was like an over sized guinea-pig!
When I looked into one pen I thought nothing was in there. But when I glanced into a corner a new born tapir was sleeping. Stunning to see. My photo couldn't do it justice because of the angle but I was pleased with the result because it was just as it was. Natural. It was a privilege to see.
 Baby tapir sleeping Veronica's photo |
The dwarf zebu were very interesting with a small hump on their back. I couldn't see what the natural purpose of the hump would be.
 humped back dwarf zebu Veronica's photo |
 Micro pigs |
The park has started a breeding programme of Micro pigs and is an important centre for this.
 There is a huge zebra field Veronica's photo |
 Waterside bird Veronica's photo |
I couldn't find out what this bird was called but it was sos till and beautiful. I wondered if it was a heron.
RHEGED
And, of special interest to me of course, there was a display of the ancient Celts who had lived in this area of Britain in ancient times when it was called RHEGED A lovely addition to the site and excellent historical information too.
This is a beautiful attraction in one of England's most beautiful places.
 Celt display board Veronica's photo |
 A magnificent specimen |
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Comments
Your comment below on Nov. 17, 2019, in answer to Mira's previous observation and question intrigues me.
What kind of snakes did the animal handling sessions involve?
Those are great points :) But the snake, hm . . . :D
Mira,
We like to take the grandchildren here because the animals are well cared for and have huge open space. That is how we want the children to see animals.
We went again just 3 weeks ago. The animal handling sessions were guinea pigs and SNAKES....My grandson loved them.
I really enjoyed this :) The baby tapir is so cute :) And so is that thin-legged bird. Maybe I should go visit the zoo here again. But you're right, having these birds and animals free on the moors is much different.
thanks Big bro
DERDRIU
Aw ty . It was sooo new born that it was very still and sleepy. Easy to photograph apart from the angle.
Dear All, Veronica is away for the week celebrating her birthday at a holiday cottage in Yorkshire.She asked me to tell you that she will reply to any comments when she returns.
Veronica, The sleeping baby tapir is my favorite. Did the little darling stay still for the photo op or were there the little mouth and paw movements so adorable in sleeping felines yet so counterproductive to that perfect still shot?
The bird in the picture seems to be a heron.
The Celts [Britons] are still there. The Anglo-Saxons never displaced them and they remained, intermarrying with the Norse settlers who came in the ninth and tenth centuries. Few Anglo-Saxons settled in Cumbria.