Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens

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Chipping Norton
Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens

With over 260 different animal species in 160 acres of parkland and gardens, with train (Apr-Oct), adventure playground, cafe and gift shop.
(4912)

Please see our website for opening times: www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk.

20/09/2024

We've enjoyed a beautiful week of summer sunshine here at the Park. Many of the animals have been basking in the September sun, in particular our Ring-tailed Lemurs. Visitors may have seen our troop sunbathing in their yoga-like positions inside Madagascar. Pictured are the newest members to our Ring-tailed Lemur family - twins Bramble and Badger. Born in April, these latest additions bring the total number of Lemur breeding successes in the Park’s walk-through Lemur exhibit, Madagascar, to an impressive 70 since it officially opened in 2008. Read more about the twins here: https://www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk/whats-on/park-news/cotswold-wildlife-park-celebrates-its-70th-lemur-breeding-success-in-time-for-lemur-week/

Thanks to Rebecca Louise for her photos.

13/09/2024

It was great to see local celebrity Kaleb Cooper on ITV's National Television Awards last week. Kaleb was nominated in the expert category alongside none other than broadcasting legend Sir David Attenborough (who won the award). We're big fans of Kaleb here at the Park. In fact, Mammal Keeper Willemijn named our latest Camel calf Kaleb in honour of him 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 (Kaleb pictured below 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!". Thanks to Willemijn for these photos of Kaleb taken over the last few months - including his first steps soon after he was born to photos taken this week in the large Camel paddock with the rest of the herd. As you can see, he's much steadier on his feet now!

• He’s the third calf sired by Louis – named after Prince Louis of Wales as they were both born on the same day – and is the first male calf that Louis and experienced mother Cleo have produced together. Kaleb is one of many breeding successes we've had at the Park so far this year. Read more about this year's arrivals here, including Yellow Mongoose twins, Pea the Penguin chick and the Park's first ever Beaded Lizard breeding success: https://www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk/whats-on/park-news/cotswold-wildlife-park-celebrates-an-outstanding-breeding-season-with-the-only-yellow-mongoose-and-beaded-lizard-births-in-the-uk-this-year/.

• Visitors can see Kaleb in the large paddock he shares with the rest of the herd near the Little Africa exhibit.

03/09/2024

The Park In Pictures - Summer 2024.

As summer comes to an end, we wanted to share these great photos taken around the Park recently by photographer Rebecca Louise. They include a few of our many breeding successes this year, including Ring-tailed Lemurs, Yellow Mongoose, Pygmy Goats and Cotswold Sheep to name just a few. Rebecca also took some wonderful photos of the gardens which have been spectacular again this year, despite the challenging weather conditions.

Thanks to everyone who visited the Park over the summer holidays. Please feel free to share any photos you've taken at the Park in the comments section below - many thanks.

"…and all at once, summer collapsed into fall." ~ Oscar Wilde.

28/08/2024

Congratulations to Mammal Keeper Liam who is getting married today! At the request of Head Keeper Mark, here's a few of our favourite photos of Liam at the Park.

We hope today goes brilliantly Liam!
From Head Keeper Mark and everyone at Cotswold Wildlife Park.

22/08/2024

A year in the life: As our Rhino calves, Henry and Susie, both celebrated their first birthdays recently, we thought we'd take you on a trip down memory lane featuring photos taken over the last year of the siblings - from the moment they were born last August to the calves in the Rhino paddock this week. Thanks to Philip Joyce, Brian Lilly, Mammal Keeper Liam and Rebecca Louise for generously sharing their images with us. If you've taken any photos of Henry and Susie, please post them in the comments section as we'd love to see them.

Throughout August the Park hosts 'Rhino Month' to raise awareness and funds for Rhino conservation. Thanks to everyone who visited our dedicated 'Rhino Month' fundraising stall over the August bank holiday weekend. All money raised will go to UK-based conservation charity Tusk. We will let you know the total very soon. Thank you so much for supporting 'Rhino Month' and helping us to raise awareness and funds for vital Rhino conservation work in Africa.

ADDITIONAL VISITOR INFORMATION: We are open every day from 10.00am until 6.00pm (last admission at 4.00pm). To reduce queueing, we suggest arriving after our peak times (which are tending to be between 10.30am - 12.30 pm). As we are open until 6.00pm, there’s plenty of time to enjoy the Park if you arrive later in the day. Please listen to BBC Radio Oxford on 95.2FM for local travel news and visit the AA Route Planner for up-to-date travel information, including any road closures/traffic updates, ahead of your visit - many thanks.

22/08/2024

VISITOR INFORMATION - AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND (24-26 AUGUST 2024): We are open every day from 10.00 am until 6.00 pm (last admission at 4.00 pm). In common with other outdoor visitor attractions, the Park expects to be busy over the weekend so we appreciate your patience. To reduce queueing, we suggest arriving after our peak arrival times (which are tending to be between 10.30 am - 12.30 pm). As we are open until 6.00 pm, there's plenty of time to enjoy the Park if you arrive later in the day. Please listen to BBC Radio Oxford on 95.2FM for local travel news and visit the AA Route Planner for up-to-date travel information, including any road closures/traffic updates, AHEAD OF YOUR VISIT as there are local events taking place this weekend which may affect your journey (including The Big Feastival in Kingham and Langfest near Lechlade).

Please see our additional August bank holiday post about activities taking place at the Park over the bank holiday weekend, including our Rhino Month stall and Birds of Prey displays. Please check our website or social media for any updates ahead of visiting the Park - many thanks and we look forward to welcoming you.

Photo of our adult Bactrian Camels taken by Brian Lilly. Visitors can see our herd, along with our latest Camel calf Kaleb, in the large Camel paddock next to the Lion enclosure.

17/08/2024

Keeping cool at Cotswold Wildlife Park.

Keepers have been treating the animals at the Park to some cooling enrichments. Thanks to award-winning photographer Paul Nicholls for these great photos of Giraffes Shingo and Tisa enjoying their ice enrichments made by Mammal Keeper Willemijn. The frozen smoothie ice treat was made with one layer of steamed sweet potato, one layer of carrot and one of cooling watermelon. Giant Tortoise George, who has been at the Park since the day it opened in 1970, loved his cooling shower from Reptile Keeper Meg too. Paul also took pictures of our Rhinos, including calves Henry and Susie who both celebrated their first birthdays this week, enjoying a cooling mud bath in the Rhino paddock.

Thanks to Keepers Willemijn and Meg for their help with the enrichments and to Paul Nicholls Photography for sharing these images with us. We hope you enjoy them.

VISITOR INFORMATION SUMMER HOLIDAYS 2024 - please read the following information ahead of your visit. Thank you and we look forward to welcoming you to the Park.

• We are open every day from 10.00am until 6.00pm (last admission at 4.00pm). To reduce queueing, we suggest arriving after our peak times (which are tending to be between 10.30am - 12.30 pm). As we are open until 6.00pm, there’s plenty of time to enjoy the Park if you arrive later in the day. Please listen to BBC Radio Oxford on 95.2FM for local travel news and visit the AA Route Planner for up-to-date travel information, including any road closures, ahead of your visit - thank you.

• As well as the Park’s Oak Tree Restaurant and kiosks, visitors are welcome to bring their own picnics to enjoy on the spacious lawns which overlook the enclosures for Rhinos, Zebras, Giraffes and Camels. There are also picnic shelters around the Park.

• Please ensure that you check our website (www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk) or social media for any updates ahead of visiting the Park. We look forward to welcoming you.

12/08/2024

VISITOR INFORMATION SUMMER HOLIDAYS 2024 - please read the following information ahead of your visit. Thank you and we look forward to welcoming you to the Park.

• We are open every day from 10.00am until 6.00pm (last admission at 4.00pm). To reduce queueing, we suggest arriving after our peak times (which are tending to be between 10.30am - 12.30 pm). As we are open until 6.00pm, there’s plenty of time to enjoy the Park if you arrive later in the day. Please listen to BBC Radio Oxford on 95.2FM for local travel news and visit the AA Route Planner for up-to-date travel information, including any road closures, ahead of your visit - thank you.

• As well as the Park’s Oak Tree Restaurant and kiosks, visitors are welcome to bring their own picnics to enjoy on the spacious lawns which overlook the enclosures for Rhinos, Zebras, Giraffes and Camels. There are also picnic shelters around the Park.

• Please ensure that you check our website (www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk) or social media for any updates ahead of visiting the Park. We look forward to welcoming you.

10/08/2024

Thanks to everyone who visited our stall today (next to the Lion enclosure). It was wonderful to see you and we can’t thank you enough for your support. All money raised will go to Safina Lion Conservation Fund (of which Mammal Keeper James, pictured with Conservation Officer Beth in photo 1, is Chairman and Founder). We’ll be back on the Lion Day Stall tomorrow, Sunday 11 August, from 11:00am - 3:00pm so please drop by and say hi if you’re visiting the Park. Happy World Lion Day from all of us at Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens.

Thanks also to Mammal Keeper Abbie and Conservation Officer Beth (pictured in photo 2) for all their help today on the stall. Photos of our Rana and Kanha taken by Mammal Keeper James.

10/08/2024

Rana and Kanha show their softer side on World Lion Day.

To mark World Lion Day, we'd love to share these adorable videos of our Asiatic Lions with you. Mammal Keeper James said: "Rana and Kanha have been together for a decade now and it is lovely to see Rana showing his softer side at times like this. Lions are very social and even though they like their independence, the bond between these two is clearly very strong. Lions are very tactile and head rubbing is a common form of greeting in Lion society and is used to strengthen bonds by sharing their scent with one another".

If you're at the Park this weekend (10 - 11 August 2024), please visit our World Lion Day fundraising stall next to the Lion enclosure between 11:00am - 3:00pm. Visitors to the Park will have the opportunity to win an after-hours guided tour with the Park’s Head Keeper, a Lion adoption as well as other Lion-related prizes. All funds raised will go to the Safina Lion Conservation Fund (of which Mammal Keeper James is Chairman and Founder). Please note: Normal admission price applies for visitors attending this event at the Park.

• World Lion Day is observed annually on 10 August. Now in its eleventh year, it aims to raise awareness about the plight of Lions in the wild and the urgent need for their conservation.

• Cotswold Wildlife Park proudly supports conservation organisations working in Africa to mitigate human-wildlife conflict, including Lion Landscapes (www.lionlandscapes.org), UK-based conservation charity Tusk (www.tusk.org), Kope Lion (www.kopelion.org) and Safina Lion Conservation (www.safinalionconservation.org/).

• The Park is home to Asiatic Lions - one of the world’s rarest big cat species. It is estimated that there are only 650 Asiatic Lions left in the wild and they are classified as "Endangered" by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

• A year in the making, the new Lion House is the brainchild of Mammal Keeper James. On the anniversary of its opening, James said: "It's now been a full year since the new Lion House opened and Rana and Kanha have made full use of all their new spaces together. It has been wonderful to see the Lions obviously feel so comfortable and relaxed in their new home and over the winter months, visitors would have seen them both often cuddled up together in their big indoor communal area on the soft bark chip floor or in their big straw bed. Kanha, as nosy as ever, has even worked out that the inside platform is a great place to watch busy Giraffe keepers in the mornings!". To find out more about this impressive new home for our Lions, read the full story here: https://www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk/whats-on/park-news/cotswold-wildlife-park-unveils-new-home-for-its-endangered-asiatic-lions-ahead-of-world-lion-day/.

Happy World Lion Day from all of us at the Park and thanks to Mammal Keeper James for his wonderful videos.

VISITOR INFORMATION SUMMER HOLIDAYS 2024: We are open every day from 10.00am until 6.00pm (last admission at 4.00pm). To reduce queueing, we suggest arriving after our peak times (which are tending to be between 10.30am - 12.30pm). As we are open until 6.00pm, there’s plenty of time to enjoy the Park if you arrive later in the day. Please listen to BBC Radio Oxford on 95.2FM for local travel news and visit the AA Route Planner for up-to-date travel information, including any road closures, ahead of your visit - thank you.

Please ensure that you check our website (www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk) or social media for any updates ahead of visiting the Park. We look forward to welcoming you.

06/08/2024

With another successful year of breeding White Stork chicks for release as part of the White Stork Project, we thought we’d update you on the Park’s involvement with this pioneering scheme, which aims to restore wild Stork populations to Britain – a sight not seen since the 15th century. Follow the journey of the 2024 chicks as they prepare for release into the wild.

The White Stork Project aims to have at least 50 breeding pairs across the south of England by 2030. To find out more about The White Stork Project, please visit: https://www.whitestorkproject.org.

30/07/2024

Introducing Pea - our new Humboldt Penguin chick.

We're delighted to announce that one of our Humboldt Penguin pairs, Stephen and Marley, have produced their first chick together. Bird Keeper Laura filmed this never-before-seen footage of the tiny Humboldt Penguin chick when it was still in the nest box. She kept a video diary of its development from when it was 17 days old to the moment it left the nest box recently, including the youngster’s first health check at 12 weeks old. Laura has named the chick Pea (the nickname she affectionately has for her three-year-old daughter who adores Penguins). The chick is so popular with visitors, the Park has even received fan mail through the post for the new arrival. A special thank-you to Emilie for her card (which is up on the staff noticeboard as we speak).

Thanks to Keeper Laura for the footage, Conservation and Education Officer Beth for making this video and Keeper Chris for modelling Emilie's beautiful card (posted in the comments section below).

Visitors can see Pea and the rest of our Humboldt Penguin colony in their exhibit in the Walled Garden.

Cotswold Wildlife Park has proudly supported Falklands Conservation for over thirty years. Thanks to the generosity of visitors, so far over £30,000 has been raised for the charity. To find out more about their conservation work, please visit: https://falklandsconservation.com.

VISITOR INFORMATION SUMMER HOLIDAYS 2024: We are open every day from 10.00am until 6.00pm (last admission at 4.00pm). To reduce queueing, we suggest arriving after our peak times (which are tending to be between 10.30am - 12.30 pm). As we are open until 6.00pm, there’s plenty of time to enjoy the Park if you arrive later in the day. Please listen to BBC Radio Oxford on 95.2FM for local travel news and visit the AA Route Planner for up-to-date travel information, including any road closures, ahead of your visit - thank you.

As well as the Park’s Oak Tree Restaurant and kiosks, visitors are welcome to bring their own picnics to enjoy on the spacious lawns which overlook the enclosures for Rhinos, Zebras, Giraffes and Camels. There are also picnic shelters around the Park.

Please ensure that you check our website (www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk) or social media for any updates ahead of visiting the Park. We look forward to welcoming you.

29/07/2024

Rhino Month 2024 at Cotswold Wildlife Park.

Throughout August the Park hosts Rhino Month to raise awareness and funds for Rhino conservation work in Africa. We'll be posting updates about our ever-growing "crash" (the collective noun for a group of Rhinos), catching up with the Rhino keepers and discovering more about one of the world’s most iconic animals. You'll also have the chance to win an amazing Rhino Encounter.

August will also be a double celebration for calves Henry and Susie. Nearly one year ago, for the first time in the Park's history, two Rhinos gave birth in the space of just one week - a momentous occasion as Managing Director of Cotswold Wildlife Park, Reggie Heyworth, recalls: "It is so exciting to welcome a White Rhino calf into the world. So it was even more amazing that in the space of one week, both our wonderful female Rhinos, Nancy and Ruby, had calves! Ruby had a male calf on 12th August 2023 and, not wanting to be left out of the excitement, Nancy popped out a female calf on 19th August 2023! That makes it 11 calves born here at the Wildlife Park in 11 years. What joy they have brought to us all, they are just the most charismatic and lovely animals and visitors and staff alike are absolutely entranced by them. My father, the founder of the Wildlife Park, died in 2012 just before our first calf was born but I'm sure that he would be absolutely over the moon if he knew. Rhinos are a real Heyworth favourite!’’

We'll be celebrating their first birthdays in August and will post the videos on our social media. The siblings are also the cover stars of our annual newsletter - Wild Talk (pictured with their dad Monty in the background). You can pick up a complimentary copy next time you're at the Park from the Gift Shop. You can also view Wild Talk on our website:https://www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Cotswold-Wildlife-Park-Newsletter-Wild-Talk-2024.pdf

Cotswold Wildlife Park works closely with UK-based conservation charity Tusk to protect Africa’s many threatened species. The Park has raised over £120,000 for conservation work in Africa in the last ten years through various fundraising events.

Thank you so much for supporting Rhino Month at Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens. Updates to follow.

Photos of Henry and Susie taken by Paul Nicholls Photography.

27/07/2024

VISITOR INFORMATION SUMMER HOLIDAYS 2024 - please read the following information ahead of your visit:

• We are open every day from 10.00am until 6.00pm (last admission at 4.00pm). To reduce queueing, we suggest arriving after our peak times (which are tending to be between 10.30am - 12.30 pm). As we are open until 6.00pm, there’s plenty of time to enjoy the Park if you arrive later in the day. Please listen to BBC Radio Oxford on 95.2FM for local travel news and visit the AA Route Planner for up-to-date travel information, including any road closures, ahead of your visit - thank you.

• During the hot weather, please take the necessary precautions if visiting the Park and see the Met Office’s hot weather safety advice before your visit. We would also like to remind dog owners that with high temperatures forecast, please reconsider bringing your dog to the Park during the heatwave. The Dogs Trust provides useful warm weather safety advice for dog owners on their website - many thanks.

• As well as the Park’s Oak Tree Restaurant and kiosks, visitors are welcome to bring their own picnics to enjoy on the spacious lawns which overlook the enclosures for Rhinos, Zebras, Giraffes and Camels. There are also picnic shelters around the Park.

• Please ensure that you check our website (www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk) or social media for any updates ahead of visiting the Park. We look forward to welcoming you.

Updated 11/8/2024.

23/07/2024

Mammal Keeper Abbie hand-rearing Vinnie the Cotswold lamb.

We've welcomed a number of new arrivals in the Children's Farmyard so far this year. They include three Emu chicks, Pygmy Goats, Guinea Pigs and most recently, lambs from our Cotswold Sheep. Over to Mammal Keeper Abbie to hear about the little lamb she took under her wing and hand-reared:

"At the start of May, two of our Cotswold ewes gave birth to three adorable lambs. Unfortunately, one of the ewes developed mastitis and could not produce milk, so the keepers stepped in to help her out while she received veterinary treatment. For the first day or so, Vinnie was small and weak but already had a massive personality, and it really wasn’t long before she was hopping, skipping and jumping around the paddock in the Children's Farmyard. She’s an infectiously happy creature with a permanent smile on her face! Feeding times were so much fun, she would come racing across the paddock with many bleats and immediately start head butting and nudging any part of you she could reach in excitement".

Abbie adds: "She spent as much time as possible with her real mum and the other sheep, and despite seeming to think she was a real human, became quick friends with the other lambs. Vinnie is now weaned, and back living with her flock all the time in the Children’s Farmyard! (but will still come charging over for a scratch every time she sees her keepers!)."

Thanks to Abbie for sharing these photos and videos of Vinnie. Our keepers do an amazing job looking after the animals under their care, as you can see from these photos. Visitors can see Vinnie and her family in the Children's Farmyard.

17/07/2024

Tribute to World War II Veteran George Winter.

We'd like to pay tribute to World War II Veteran George Winter who has very sadly passed away at the age of 98. Our friendship with this wonderful man started back in 2020 when BBC Radio presenter Babs introduced us on-air to her good friend George. We were planning a special surprise for him to meet his namesake - Giant Tortoise George (who has been at Cotswold Wildlife Park since it opened in 1970) - but due to lockdown restrictions, plans had to be put on hold. Keepers continued to send regular video messages to George throughout lockdown until he could visit in person. Then in 2021, George finally met George! It was the most wonderful day and we loved spending time with him and hearing about his incredible life. Even Giant Tortoise George took a shine to the World War II Veteran when the pair met (as you can clearly see in these photos taken by award-winning photographer and friend of the Park, Paul Nicholls). Truly a wonderful day spent with an incredible man who we will miss dearly.

Photo gallery: These images were taken when George came to the Park on his first day out since lockdown started back in March 2020 (aged 95). George was an Able Seaman Quartermaster and served in the Royal Navy from 1943-47. He served on HMS Harrier and HMS Combatant, both minesweepers, and also on HMS Aisne, a Battle Class destroyer. He visited Scotland, Iceland, Russia, D-Day landings at Cherbourg and delivered food to starving Dutch people during World War II. He also visited Sweden, Gibraltar, Malta and Greece. George proudly wore his Military awards and decorations with his new friend, then 85-year-old Giant Tortoise George - the Park's oldest and longest resident. Our great thanks to Paul Nicholls Photography for these photographs and to BBC Radio presenter Babs for all her help arranging a day to remember for all of us with this truly special gentleman.

BBC's tribute to George Winter is available to read here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn4v2yn20j8o

10/07/2024

It was a great honour to host a training day for Infinity Dogs CIC at the Park this week. As part of their training, assistance dogs Malarky, Milo and Katie were invited to the Park to learn how to interact with multiple species and scenarios under the careful guidance of their trainers. These incredible dogs are being trained to assist individuals with neurodivergent, invisible, and complex/multiple disabilities. BBC Radio Oxford's Dan Freeman came along to speak to their trainers and find out more about the life-changing roles these dogs play in their owners' lives. You can read Dan's article here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cw4y7l0913ko. His very moving interviews with assistance dog trainers Ruby, Ella and Eva is also available via the BBC iPlayer until 7 August 2024 (starts at 1:50): https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0j4wtd2.

Infinity Dogs CIC is a non-profit organisation helping people with complex disabilities to train their own assistance dogs. We look forward to welcoming Infinity Dogs back to the Park in the future and would like to thank BBC Radio Oxford for highlighting the amazing work of Ruby and the trainers at Infinity Dogs CIC.

Cotswold Wildlife Park was delighted to play even a small part in the training of these amazing assistance dogs. The Park is the only large zoological collection in the UK to welcome dogs and has been a dog-friendly attraction since it first opened in 1970.

08/07/2024

Photo taken at Cotswold Wildlife Park is the voted Oxford Times/Oxford Mail's Camera Club winner.

Congratulations to Ashley Goble who has been crowned Oxford Times/Oxford Mail's Camera Club winner with this lovely photo of one of our Humboldt Penguins. The theme was carnivores and Ashley’s photo was chosen from a selection of pictures featured in the Oxford Mail and Oxford Times. They said: “It was difficult to choose a winner this week because there were so many stunning photos but Ashley Goble’s close-up of a Penguin at Cotswold Wildlife Park really stood out.” Well done Ashley!

Story via Oxford Mail: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/24428939.photo-park-penguin-oxford-mail-camera-club-winner/

03/07/2024

The mark World Meerkat Day, we wanted to share this stunning silhouette image of one of Meerkats taken by award-winning photographer Philip Joyce. Philip is collaborating with us on a fascinating project documenting the activities of keepers at the Park.

World Meerkat Day was founded by our friends at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Australia six years ago and is now celebrated across the globe.

Our ever-popular Meerkats can be seen in their enclosure inside the Walled Garden. In the wild, Meerkats live in colonies in burrows on the dry sandy velds of southern Africa. Visitors to the Park will see how we have tried to evoke this habitat by planting around our Meerkat enclosure with a mixture of cold hardy and tender cacti, as well as other desert exotics. Our Meerkats have a charming habit of sitting up on their haunches and basking in the early morning sun with one member of the colony always on sentry duty.

Did you know Meerkats can recognise each other’s voices? A study of wild Meerkats in South Africa found that they could identify and differentiate the voice of different individuals within their mobs. Researchers played recordings of the Meerkat calls and observed the animals’ reactions. Their discovery is the first evidence of a non-primate mammal showing vocal recognition in the wild.

Happy from all of us at the Park and a special mention to Taronga Zoo Sydney who started this day to celebrate the wonderful world of Meerkats.

Photo taken by .

29/06/2024

We are delighted to announce that the first Humboldt Penguin chick to have hatched this year has finally emerged from the nest box. The as-yet-unsexed chick made its public debut on one of the hottest days of the year so far, much to the delight of keepers and visitors. After venturing out of the nest box, it headed straight for the sprinkler before taking its first plunge into the Penguin pool for its first public swim!

Visitors can see the new chick, along with the rest of the adult colony, in the Penguin exhibit inside the Walled Garden.

Cotswold Wildlife Park has proudly supported Penguin Conservation in the Falkland Islands for over thirty years. Thanks to the generosity of visitors, over £30,000 has been raised for the charity. To find out more about their conservation work, please follow Falklands Conservation - thank you.

Additional information:

- Humboldt Penguins (Spheniscus humboldti) live along the South American coastline of Peru and Chile. In the wild, these boisterous birds nest in the driest desert on earth - the Atacama.
- They are classified as "Vulnerable" by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
- This species was originally named after the cold water current it swims in, which itself is named after Alexander von Humboldt - Prussian geographer, naturist and explorer.
- The great Victorian art critic and connoisseur John Ruskin once wrote: "One can’t be angry when one looks at a Penguin.”
- Penguin feeding takes place every day at 11.00 and 3:00pm in the Walled Garden.

Please ensure that you check our website (www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk) or social media for any updates ahead of visiting the Park. We look forward to welcoming you.

Address

Bradwell Grove
Chipping Norton
OX184

Telephone

01993823006

Website

https://www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk/

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Videos

This August we are celebrating Rhino Month and what better way to kick things off than celebrating the first birthdays of the crashes two youngest members! Here's Jenni and Liam with some special birthday treats for Susie and Henry!

World Lion Day at Cotswold Wildlife Park

With another successful year of breeding White Stork chicks for release as part of the White Stork Project, we thought we’d update you on the Park’s involvement with this pioneering scheme, which aims to restore wild Stork populations to Britain – a sight not seen since the 15th century. Follow the journey of the 2024 chicks as they prepare for release into the wild. The White Stork Project aims to have at least 50 breeding pairs across the south of England by 2030. To find out more about The White Stork Project, please visit: https://www.whitestorkproject.org.

Introducing Pea - our new Humboldt Penguin chick. We're delighted to announce that one of our Humboldt Penguin pairs, Stephen and Marley, have produced their first chick together. Bird Keeper Laura filmed this never-before-seen footage of the tiny Humboldt Penguin chick when it was still in the nest box. She kept a video diary of its development from when it was 17 days old to the moment it left the nest box recently, including the youngster’s first health check at 12 weeks old. Laura has named the chick Pea (the nickname she affectionately has for her three-year-old daughter who adores Penguins). The chick is so popular with visitors, the Park has even received fan mail through the post for the new arrival. A special thank-you to Emilie for her card (which is up on the staff noticeboard as we speak). Thanks to Keeper Laura for the footage, Conservation and Education Officer Beth for making this video and Keeper Chris for modelling Emilie's beautiful card (posted in the comments section below). Visitors can see Pea and the rest of our Humboldt Penguin colony in their exhibit in the Walled Garden. Cotswold Wildlife Park has proudly supported Falklands Conservation for over thirty years. Thanks to the generosity of visitors, so far over £30,000 has been raised for the charity. To find out more about their conservation work, please visit: https://falklandsconservation.com. VISITOR INFORMATION SUMMER HOLIDAYS 2024: We are open every day from 10.00am until 6.00pm (last admission at 4.00pm). To reduce queueing, we suggest arriving after our peak times (which are tending to be between 10.30am - 12.30 pm). As we are open until 6.00pm, there’s plenty of time to enjoy the Park if you arrive later in the day. Please listen to BBC Radio Oxford on 95.2FM for local travel news and visit the AA Route Planner for up-to-date travel information, including any road closures, ahead of your visit - thank you. As well as the Park’s Oak Tree Restaurant and kiosks, visitors

Vinnie is now weaned and back living with her flock in the Children’s Farmyard but will still come charging over for a scratch every time she sees her keepers! Thanks to Abbie for sharing these photos of Vinnie with us and for giving Vinnie around-the-clock care until she was ready to be reunited with her mother.

Back with mum (and on mum's back!)

Abbie taking Vinnie out for exercise.

Our Penguins enjoying the pool and sprinkler last week (on one of the hottest days of the year so far). The new chick is on the rocks at the back with mum.