In our Amphibian Room we have some new residents at the Park. A recent acquisition of Strawberry Frogs are acclimatising well in their new home. Strawberry Frogs are a small species of poison-dart frog of the genus Oophaga. They are found in Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama and are common throughout this range.
We have three individuals that are a striking orange colour. This is the first time Cotswold Wildlife Park has housed the species. The new arrivals can be seen in the window of our Amphibian Breeding Room next to the Yellow Mongoose exhibit at the end of the Walled Garden.
Introducing Kaleb the Camel calf!
We’re delighted to announce that the latest addition to the Bactrian Camel herd has now been named. Mammal Keeper Willemijn has called the young male calf Kaleb in honour of local celebrity Kaleb Cooper, not only because he’s a regular visitor to the Park with his family, but also because he’s her favourite on the Prime Video hit series Clarkson’s Farm (pictured with Head Keeper Mark Godwin and Curator Jamie Craig on a recent visit to the Park). Willemijn said “I thought it was a great name as they both have the same hairdo, especially when Kaleb was experimenting with different styles in Season One!”. Willemijn was fortunate to capture footage of some of Kaleb’s very first steps, which can be seen on our Facebook and Instagram pages. Bactrian Camel calves will be nursed for roughly one and a half years and fully mature at three to five years old, so he still has lots more growing to do yet.
Earlier this year development of a new Anteater House started. This project is now complete and Zorro, our male Giant Anteater, has moved into his cosy new home. The new house, designed by Senior Mammal Keeper Jenni, is more spacious and easier to manage than the previous one and Zorro seems to be enjoying it already. Here are some pictures of his new finished house.
Progress is also being made with the new Flamingo House by the Waterfowl lake area. The team have been working hard over the last few months and the building is now starting to take shape.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Park currently has a flamboyance of 61 Chilean Flamingos!
Finally, we recently celebrated the first birthdays of our two youngest Rhino calves. Henry, born on 12th August 2023, and Susie who was born exactly one week later on 19th August. It was the first time in the Park’s history that two Rhinos were born in the space of just one week. Here you can see Senior Mammal Keeper Jenni giving Susie a tasty Rhino-friendly birthday cake to celebrate (Henry was treated to one too).
EXTRA EXTRA!
We’d like to thank our visitors for supporting the Park’s fundraising events over the summer: World Lion Day on 10th August and Rhino Month which ran throughout August and culminated in a bank holiday weekend fundraiser. For both events we set up a fundraising stall near the respective animals to raise awareness and funding for Rhino and Lion conservation and support the charities we work closely with; Tusk Trust, Safina Lion Conservation and Kope Lion Project.
Safina Lion Conservation was founded in 2017 by Lion Keeper James Welch (pictured with Conservation Officer Beth on the World Lion Day fundraising stall at the Park). The charity assists with multiple projects across Africa including protecting and monitoring young Lions and working with local communities by employing Lion guardians.
You can find out more information about this wonderful charity by visiting: www.safinalionconservation.org
