After more than eight months of lockdown, Wildwood Escot, the British wildlife conservation charity and family attraction near Ottery St Mary, is open again.
The park’s collection of British species, past and present, are ready to greet visitors just as nature is also springing into action. Birds are singing all around the park, flowers and trees will be blossoming in the park’s woodland and the signs of spring are everywhere.
Visitors can get hands-on while exploring the mythologies of medieval spring and all the historic legends connected to Easter in Escot’s authentic Anglo Saxon Village.
George Hyde, general manager at Wildwood Escot, said: “We’re really thrilled to welcome visitors back to Wildwood. We couldn’t be happier!”
Some adorable new additions have joined Wildwood during the pandemic, including male arctic fox Miska, who the public recently helped to name.
“Lots of our animals enjoy their interactions with our visitors and arctic foxes are known to be extraordinarily curious, so we look very much forward to introducing Miska to our visitors for the very first time!” said Ben Gregory, senior keeper at Wildwood Escot.
Other new additions include adorable hazel dormice pups which are part of the charity’s conservation programme and two new red squirrel females, joining the park as part of Wildwood’s national breeding and release programme.
Firm favourites the otter family have also been scouting for visitors.
Ben said: “They’re so full of fun and they keep us on our toes every day with their quirky antics. While we haven’t had visitors to the park, the keepers have all been coming up with inventive ways to ensure that all our animals get lots of enrichment that encourages natural skills such as foraging, use of all the senses, investigating and just plain playing.”
The charity is currently also working hard to finish preparations to welcome two brown bear cubs; Mish and Lucy, this spring.
Wildwood Escot has put in place the same Covid security measurements which earned them the Visit England ‘Good to Go’ seal of approval following the first lockdown, highlighting covid-safe places to visit. The Park has been praised by visitors for its easy-to-follow and sensible covid security features.