Everyone knows you’re not supposed to have favourite animals as a keeper but sometimes, you just can’t help it! And the more and more time I spend with our different primates, a new species takes the lead as my favourite. My current favourite are the Black Howler Monkeys found opposite the Orang enclosure and next…
As I write this month’s blog, it is final day between England and Spain in the Women’s Football World Cup. As the country gathers to see the Lionesses hopefully make history, it sparked a wonder of how animals often cross over into the world of sport. The most obvious sports being horse racing and dog…
Pucker up people. July 6th is International Kissing Day and we’re taking a whistlestop tour of all the animals that like to smooch, snuggle, boop and cuddle. So, whoever or whatever you like to kiss, let’s see if they feature in our top ten kissers. But first, let’s talk… Why do we kiss Kissing is…
What is Endangered Species Day? May 19th 2023, marks the 50th anniversary of Endangered Species Day. Every year, thousands of people around the world mark the day by taking action to protect the planet’s most at-risk animals and plants. Celebrated every third Friday in May, it’s a chance to highlight the dangers threatening wildlife, from climate…
April is World Autism Awareness Month. This week the condition is being highlighted by the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA). So, I thought we could investigate how the animal world is intertwined with Autism. What is Autism? Autism is a lifelong developmental disability which affects how people communicate and interact with…
Roses? Chocolates? Mini break? Whatever floats your boat for the most romantic day of the year. I hope February 14th brings you love and happy thoughts from your nearest and dearest. However, if you are one of the cynical types that don’t partake in the “commercial nonsense” of St Valentine’s Day, hopefully you’ll still enjoy…
Well, 2022 is almost over and what a year it’s been! From a gloomy January, through to a scorching hot summer. Now we finishing up with a very frosty winter; it’s all been going on on the Primate Section. I thought I’d use this blog as a roundup of what we’ve been up to this…
As a zookeeper, it is an unwritten rule that you can’t have favourite animals and to be honest most days, if you asked me, I would have a different answer for you each time anyway. I absolutely love the chimps and their different personalities and group dynamics. I’m in love with the mischievous mini monkeys…
Next week, the happiest day of the year will be upon us, World Smile Day! I am often asked which my favourite species are to work with at the park. It must be said, the little guys never fail to put a smile on my face every day. With the famous saying “good things come in…
If you remember from a previous blog of mine that majority of the primate keepers’ least favourite job is cleaning the Mandrills. Since then, we have a new keeper, Holly, who has fallen hard for the cuteness of the mandrill troop. So, she has asked me to write a blog about them and here we…