We celebrated World Donkey Day on May 8th here at the Park, and the Education team got to spend some quality time with our family of Miniature Donkeys from the Children’s Farmyard. The donkeys enjoyed a morning walk around the Park for some exercise and enrichment, Danny also enjoyed a sneaky snack mid-stride on our way back to the farm! Clearly all that walking had made him hungry…
Danny, Skedaddle and their daughter Penny are such affectionate and mild-mannered animals and the three of them have such a strong family bond. The Education team and keepers will happily jump at any opportunity to spend time with them!
We are also lucky enough to be able to take some of our work experience groups in with the donkeys to practise key skills such as hoof picking, mucking out and giving them a much-needed brush when they’ve been rolling around in the dust and sand.
You can find the donkeys in the corner paddock of the Children’s Farmyard next to the goat enclosures.
DID YOU KNOW?
Miniature Donkeys have excellent memories and can recognise places and other animals they haven’t seen in over 25 years!
UPCOMING EVENT: The Park will have a fundraising stall as part of ‘Lemur Week’ in half term from 23rd – 31st May, helping to raise funds for Helpsimus and Impact Madagascar.
The stall will feature a variety of lemur-themed goodies and a raffle, for which first prize is a Lemur encounter. All proceeds raised from the stall will go to charity. You can read about the work of the two charities here: https://www.helpsimus.org/en/homepage-helpsimus/
https://www.impactmadagascar.org/en/
Cotswold Wildlife Park houses seven species of lemur, including Ring-tailed Lemurs, Greater Bamboo Lemurs and the critically endangered Crowned Sifakas. The work in Madagascar that the Park supports is crucial to the survival of the wild populations and so we hope that you can join us in celebrating these incredible animals!
*Please note that normal admission to the Park applies during any fundraising events.
Cotswold Falconry Centre will also be based at the Park on the following dates during half term: 23rd, 24th & 25th May
You will be able to meet their incredible birds and watch their displays on the Anniversary Lawn at the side of the manor house.
EXTRA EXTRA!
Cotswold Wildlife Park has made it into the finals of the Bucks & Oxon’s Muddy Stilettos Awards 2026 in the Best Family Experience category. Thank you to our visitors that have voted already!
There is still time to cast a vote for the Park, simply use the link below! Voting is live until 26th May:
https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/awards/vote/
Opening times: The Park is open DAILY from 10.00 am until 4:00 pm or dusk (whichever is earlier, with last admission being at 3:00 pm)
It is half term from May 23rd to May 31st with bank holiday Monday on 25th May. To reduce queuing into the Park, we suggest arriving after peak times (which are tending to be between 10.30am – 12.30pm). As we are open until 6pm, there is plenty of time to explore the Park in the afternoon.
Please could we remind visitors to always check our website or social media for updates ahead of visiting the Park.
*Thank you to Rebecca Louise for her photos included in this edition of Word from the Wild.