MR MACAWBER'S DIARY

March 2010

Dear Diary Friends,

What fun we had on Asia Day and thank you to all who could make it.

The Meerkat pups are now out of their nest and just starting to move about. There’s lots of excitement because they can be seen through the viewing window at Meerkat Manor.

The sunbirds in our Tropical House have been very busy feeding their new chicks. The nest is so tiny and well hidden but the chicks can be seen while the parents are feeding them. I have discovered that I have to be very quiet and still because the parents wont feed the chicks until they are sure it’s safe to do so. If you’re as lucky as me you will see the chicks’ head pop out of the nest entrance.

Things are really busy behind the scenes at the Zoo with everyone getting ready for our big Easter Extravaganza. There is so much planned for this year and it’s sure to be a huge success. The hilarious egg and spoon races will be running with lucky audience members trying to beat the keepers. There will be an Easter trail, Easter quiz, colouring competition and even guess the weight of the giant bunny competition! New for this year, there will be an art and crafts area near our indoor soft play so you can get all creative. Oh, not forgetting all the extra encounters we have planned for you. You will be exhausted by the end of the day!

Before I go, I have some breaking news I want to share with you. A little birdie told me yesterday that three curly coated pigs are arriving in time for Easter! These rare breed pigs are from a special breeder and some of the first to arrive in the UK for 34 years. I can’t wait to see them in our paddock. Do you think they will play football with me?

Well, lots to do for Easter so have to go but speak to you soon and hope to see you over Easter holidays!

Lots of love,

Mr Macawber xxxxxx

March 2010

Dear Diary Friends,

Thank you to all who were able to join us at our valentine special weekend and half term. Lots of children (and some adults!) had great fun making their own bird feeders to take home.

Since last writing, our newest arrival to the zoo is a new female red-footed tortoise, Kiki. Hopefully she will be happily paired with our bachelor boy, Donte, who has been looking for love.

I am so excited about the newest litter of meerkats that arrived just a week ago! They are still in the nest with their Mum, Kalahari. The keepers say they will be out of the nest and scampering around in time for our Asia Day event.

Everyone at the zoo is really excited about our special Asia Day event. We have lots of things planned including shadow puppet workshops! If you are feeling brave, you can even take part in a shadow puppet show. If that’s not your thing there is always the Asian fancy dress competitions, where I will be awarding a prize to the winner.

Must dash, I have a costume to get ready! I hope to see you soon.

Lots of love,

Mr Macawber xxxxxx

February 2010

Dear Diary Friends,

I have missed you all so much and I am really glad to be back with you. I have been away for a winter break and so much has happened since we last got together.

Our couple in love, the short-clawed Asian otters, Khan and Anita, have had another litter of pups! Yes, that’s right, they have five pups that are now out of their holt where they have been over winter and are scrambling around in their enclosure.

The wallabies have babies too and another of our marsupial species, the potoroo, have also become proud parents. The wallaby and potoroo babies are big enough to come out of their mums’ pouch so we can see them properly now.

There is so much work going on just now. A brand new reception area and shop are almost ready. The area around the butterfly breeding house is being revamped to include a wildflower meadow, which will be at it’s best by June. The wildlife friendly garden is being redesigned and will be ready for February half term. Naturally, a really good spring clean has been under way over the winter.

Everyone at the zoo is really excited about our next big event for the February half term and Valentine’s weekend coming up very soon. Why not come and find out more about the birds in your garden at our “We Love Garden Birds” event. We have lots of things planned to keep everyone entertained and with love in the air all around the zoo, it’s sure to keep the parents happy.

Well, with so much to do now that I am back, I must dash off. Come and see our newest babies and the rest of the gang here at the zoo.

Remember to watch out for more information in my March diary entry.

Hope to see you soon!

Love Mr Macawber xxx

September 2009

Dear Diary Friends,

Oh no, it’s time for you lot to go back to school!! But don’t despair, it’ll be half term before you know it and you can always come and see us at the weekends!

Well, we’ve all had a lovely time at Tropical Wings Zoo this summer. Our two troublesome (though adorable) ferrets, Ren and Stimpy have just moved into their new home in the Wise Owl Barn, where they have more space to play. The boys are 13 weeks’ old and every time I see them, they seem to have grown! Believe it or not, this rather cute photo is the best we could get of them, as the boys just won’t keep still!

The very gorgeous baby meerkats have also been busy growing and are now nearly a month old! They now regularly venture out in Sandy Hollow to bask in the sunshine and enjoy being cooed over by adoring visitors.

Before I pop off I must say a big ‘hello’ to all the boys and girls who took part in bank holiday Monday’s obstacle race. I think we may have some contenders for 2012 – particularly if palm tree dodging becomes an Olympic sport!!!

Hope to see you soon.

Love Mr Macawber

August 2009

Dear Diary Friends,

I hope you're all enjoying the summer holidays.

We've had some exciting news here, Kalahari has given birth to 5 meerkat pups and they're so cute! They won't be visible for a couple of weeks yet, but luckily April's babies are out and about in their enclosure to keep you entertained. Indeed, there have been so many people asking which of the meerkats is called Aleksandr that Gemma, their keeper has finally bowed to pressure and named one after the Russian television personality from the comparethemarket.com advert! 

For bird lovers the next event for the summer will be Wild Wings' Day on Sunday 23 August. The flying displays by our falconers and guests from Owls R Us and the Southeast Falconry Group are guaranteed to make jaws drop, so make sure you don't miss out!

Love Mr Macawber

July 2009

Dear Diary Friends,

Hurray, the summer holidays are nearly here and we’re busy getting ready to receive you all! We’ve been painting, changing signs, doing a spot of gardening and training our lovely animal friends to entertain the summer visitors.

Davide, our flamboyant, Italian Head of Birds, has been busy putting the final touches to the new parrot show, which is back this year by popular demand. Unlike myself (a busy magazine columnist) my fellow parrots have had a year-long holiday, so they are well-rested and now ready to wow the crowds with their vibrant plumage and amazing vocabulary!

While all is not yet confirmed, the keepers are hoping to introduce a few new furry friends to Pets’ Corner, so keep your eyes peeled on your next visit!

Hope to see you soon!

Love Mr Macawber

June 2009                                     

Dear Diary Friends,

This month's set to be very exciting, what with Africa Day coming up on the 27th June. Real life Zulu dancers will be performing, telling stories and leading African drumming workshops. It's a great opportunity to learn more about the African animals we have here at Tropical Wings Zoo and even try some yummy food from this amazing continent. 

This is an event not to be missed! 

Hope to see you there!

Love Mr Macawber

May 2009 

Dear Diary Friends,

We have some exciting news here at Tropical Wings Zoo, a baby mara were born on the 1st May and it's soooo cute!!!

Lots of people think they look a bit like a cross between a guinea pig and a deer, as they have long, delicate legs! You'll find them living quite happily alongside the wallabies. 

I don't know about you but I'm a bit of a book worm and on Tuesday the 26th May, my friend Tony (the bug man) from Tropical Wings Zoo is making an appearance at South Woodham Ferrers' library with some of his favourite minibeasts! So if you like reading and you like bugs, pop in between 1 and 2pm. 

I mentioned in my April diary entry about the Pirates and Parrots' event. It's now only a few weeks away and everyone's trying to get their costumes organised! Of course, I don't have to bother as I'm coming as a parrot!!!! So, on Saturday 30th May come down and join in the fun! Remember children, if you come dressed as a pirate, you get free entry into the zoo, which means more money to spend on ice cream!!

Love Mr Macawber xx

April 2009 

Dear Diary Friends,

I hope you all had a great Easter and ate lots of yummy chocolate! 

Easter saw the arrival of some new bunnies, which has breathed new life into Pets' Corner. 

It was lovely to see so many visitors at the zoo. I love meeting my fans. I particularly enjoyed competing against Splash the otter in the Easter egg & spoon race and I'm pleased to say that I won the majority of races, leaving Splash and the mammal keepers a bit red in the face! But it's not the winning, it's the taking part, so everyone who joined in got a tasty treat!

There's lots to look forward to in the next few months, here at Tropical Wings Zoo. Of course, the May bank holiday          will                          will soon be upon us and we have lots of interactive animal encounters planned to make your weekend very special. 

On the Saturday the 30th May, Pirates & Parrots comes to the wildlife park and all staff will be dressed up to get into the spirit! Children who come fully dressed in pirate gear will get free entry into the zoo. There will be so much to do throughout the day, including a treasure trail, pirate obstacle races and a chance to meet Polly - every pirates' favourite parrot! 

Love Mr Macawber xx

March 2009

Dear Diary Friends,

March is turning out to be a very busy month for us at Tropical Wings Zoo, as we're trying to get everything prepared for welcoming our Easter visitors! We have an exciting new children's soft play and activity centre that is due to be completed before then and Paradise Corner, which has been rather empty over the winter months, will come to life again and play host some lovely new furry friends - potoroos. These look a bit like gigantic rats but are really marsupials like our wallabies and carry their babies in pouches. Also joining them will be Charlie, our cheeky Chattering Lorikeet, who has spent the chilly winter indoors. 

Talking of Easter, I bet you guys are looking forward to the holidays and to eating lots of chocolate! Here at Tropical Wings Zoo, Easter promises to be lots of fun, with loads of extra animal encounters to keep you all entertained. If you visit us over the Easter weekend, there'll be egg and spoon races with our zoo keepers and a chance to win some tasty prizes - not to mention all the other fun stuff that will be going on. 

Hope to see you all there!

Love Mr Macawber xx