I arrived at the Cotswolds Wildlife Park a few minutes before it opened at 10 am and waited in the short queue of cars until the clock struck the hour. There was a penetrating chill in the air and I had driven a long way so my first stop was the Oak Tree Restaurant for a warming mug of coffee. On my way to the restaurant, I passed the enclosure of one of the most unusual animals I have ever seen. The Bear Cat or Binturong (its official name) moves like a cat but looks more like a small, shaggy bear. I paused to watch them creeping upside down across the ceiling of their enclosure before walking through the courtyard of the Manor House to the restaurant in the back of the building. I was soon seated by a window looking out on the extensive lawns beyond a patio dotted with wooden tables and chairs. Sipping my frothy cappuccino, I browsed the glossy guide to the wildlife park I had been given at the entrance. There was so much to see I knew already I was going to have some difficult choices to make. But my first stop would be Madagascar to see the lemurs, my favourite animals. I have even been to Madagascar to see this endangered species in the wild.
I did have time for a short detour to see the red panda, also known as a lesser panda although it does not look at all like a panda. In the wild they are mostly found in the Eastern Himalayas so they are used to our cold weather. I was not surprised to see one on a branch of a tree enjoying some breakfast. But I could not linger too long as I had an appointment at the Madagascar exhibit with Natalie, the head keeper responsible for the lemurs.
I met Natalie outside Madagascar. She had a bowl of chopped carrots with her and as we approached the entrance to the walk-through several lemurs suddenly landed on the wire netting inside the enclosure clearly anticipating some treats. We walked along the path to an open area and Natalie began feeding the lemurs while I watched and took photographs. She was surrounded by the group of twelve ring-tailed lemurs and a pair of red-bellied lemurs that have access to this enclosure. To my delight Natalie then asked me if I would like to feed the lemurs. A dream come true. As soon as I took the bowl of food I was surrounded by the ring-tails – it does not matter who you are as long as you bring food. I felt a light touch as one of the lemurs landed on my shoulders and I could feel another one resting its front paws on my leg. Lemurs do stand up on their hind legs and when they do they resemble little humans in fancy dress. Natalie took some photos of me – a fabulous souvenir of my visit. But more excitement was to come and my next stop was the Rhino House.
Cotswolds Wildlife Park has been very successful breeding the white rhinoceros. So successful that two of their resident rhinos are soon to be sent to a new home in Australia. This is because two of the females here are pregnant and for the well-being of the animals in the space available numbers have to be controlled. Housing a rhino is a big commitment as they can live for fifty years in captivity. But in the wild, where they are subjected to poaching due to the alleged medicinal properties of their horns their life expectancy is much shorter and they are an endangered species. I met Mark, head keeper, in the Rhino House and he invited me to join him by the animals’ enclosures. When Mark appeared, the rhinos ambled over to say hello – well, the females did but Monty, the only male, just carried on sleeping in the corner of his stall. These huge animals are kept behind strong iron fencing in individual stalls but there is enough space for them to poke their head through to be stroked. Some of them like to be tickled behind their ears. Mark invited me to stroke them explaining that these huge, horned animals enjoy social encounters – but one has to be wary of the large horn. Such a thrill to actually stroke a rhino. My next stop was a meeting with the owner, Reggie.
It was a real privilege to talk to Reggie and learn more about the park. This incredible park was established by his parents. His father had the vision of a wildlife park while his mother was responsible for the beautiful gardens. Even in the winter the gardens flourish and proved a stunning setting for the animals in their enclosures. During the summer months the animals graze on the extensive lawns surrounded by a ha-ha that stops them escaping. I was able to ask Reggie some questions that had occurred to me during my visit. Top of the list – are the animals bred in captivity ever returned to their natural habitat? Reggie told me this is not possible as in most cases the natural habitat no longer exists having been destroyed by man. I had seen this when I was in Madagascar. The deforestation there is alarming and it is still going on as the forests have been cut down to make way for paddy fields to grow rice. And the majority of the population still heat their houses and cook using charcoal which is made from wood. Reggie also showed me around the small but fascinating museum in a room of the Manor House. Bey then it was lunchtime and I went back to the Oak Tree Restaurant for a hearty plate of fish and chips.
What next? I did a short circuit of the aviaries and met some extraordinary owls before heading for the walled garden. I could not resist a return visit to Madagascar and this time the crowned lemurs were out in the open. I watched them feeding on a small tree, plucking twigs with their dexterous little hands. I watched them for a while before moving on the great palm lemur and the black and white lemurs in their separate enclosures. The park has the only pair of crowned sifaka lemurs in captivity and I watched them feeding in their enclosure just inside the walled garden. Other inhabitants of the walled garden include the penguins and I arrived at their pool just as they were about to be fed. As soon as the keeper appeared there was a rush to greet them – most of them dived into the water to get there quicker. Close to the penguin pool are the Asian short-claw otters. They were also very active today and I watched them for a while – they even posed for some good photos. A lovely way to end my visit to the park. There were so many animals I had not seen. A good reason to return.
Cotswolds Wildlife Park and Gardens are open all year. Check out their website to find out what is happening there and to meet the animals as I did by booking one of their encounter experiences.
Valery Collins is the Experienced Traveller. An excellent raconteur, Valery has been writing about her experiences on the road since she started travelling 28 years ago. After publishing four books she turned to online travel writing and now regularly contributes to several travel-related online publications.