Things are set to get a bit batty at The Donkey Sanctuary next month as the charity welcomes The Grey Long Eared Bat Project and The Creative Cabin.

On Monday 9 and Tuesday 10 August, the sanctuary will run ‘Completely Batty’ fun activities for all the family with everyone is welcome at the FREE drop-in sessions. Visitors will have the chance to get creative and celebrate East Devon’s rarest bats, including the grey long-eared bat.

Ruth Worsley, East Devon AONB wildlife engagement officer, said: “Bats are nocturnal and choose to hunt and feed at night, but on both days between 11am and 3pm we plan to create our own day-flying bats by inviting children to come to the creative cabin and create bat masks!”
Creating connections between wildflower meadows across the whole of East Devon is vital for the protection of the endangered grey long-eared bats, so visitors to the Creative Cabin will also have the chance to make wildflower seed bombs to help kick start wildlife gardens at home and help bats too.

The Donkey Sanctuary has worked hard in recent years to improve their own landscape for bats, developing woodland, hedgerows, and meadows – all perfect habitats for bats to roost and feed.

“As custodians of this beautiful corner of Devon, we want to encourage families to appreciate the rich and varied wildlife we are privileged to share our land with”, said John Crouch, Visitor Engagement Manager at the Donkey Sanctuary.

The Creative Cabin team from the Thelma Hulbert Gallery (THG) in Honiton and Wild East Devon, who bring their travelling creative space to communities across the region, will be at The Donkey Sanctuary to help children and families creatively explore their relationship to nature and the impacts of climate emergency on our landscapes.

All activities will be running within current Covid–Safe guidelines. There’s lots more to enjoy at The Donkey Sanctuary and no visit would be complete without meeting the charity’s resident donkeys or exploring the beautiful surrounding countryside.