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| DINO the Serianma |
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| Green-naped Lorikeet |
Paradise Park is highlighting colour during its ‘Rainbow Week’ this Whitsun. The colourful parrot family will be to the fore of course, as the Park is home to the World Parrot Trust charity. The way birds and people use colour will feature in the Rainbow Quiz which will run between Saturday 25th May to Sunday 2nd June.
As you explore the Park to see the birds and animals, look out for the quiz sheet clues. Once complete, you can check your answers and claim your sweet treat in the JungleBarn or gift shop.
And check out the ‘Flight of the Rainbows’ experience which happens at 2pm everyday (weather permitting) in the walk-through ‘Australian Aviaries’ in the walled garden. You can buy some food for the little parrots who love nothing more than sitting on your arm, or your head, and squabbling with each other while drinking their nectar – a sweet drink of honey, baby food, chilli powder and vitamins. It’s a fascinating and fun close encounter for young and old alike.
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| Red Billed Toucan |
You can also help support this species by buying a rainbow ribbon
(minimum donation 50p) to tie onto the rainbow tree in our JungleBarn
reception, and help raise funds for the important work of the Lory
Conservation Network (www.savelories.org ). The network links zoos, bird
parks, and lory exhibits around the world with conservation projects
designed to protect lories and lorikeets. In many areas wild lory
populations are under threat and need help to survive.
Face painting and special rainbow cakes will also be available during Rainbow Week.
Over 650 birds and animals to see.
For all the latest information on events and news please visit www.paradisepark.org.uk
Curator David Woolcock explains “To celebrate his birthday this weekend we will have a big card for everyone to sign, a prize draw each day (4th, 5th and 6th May) to win a bald eagle soft toy and will be highlighting Archie during the flying displays. And don’t forget your camera as one of the presenters will have Archie on their arm so you can take close up photographs after the display which starts at 12 noon.”
Archie’s story
In April 1988, in the wilds of a Canadian forest, a Bald Eagle egg hatched. Within days a forest fire raged through the area and firefighters struggled tirelessly to control the blaze. In a last ditch attempt to stop the fires rampage a swathe of trees were felled to create a fire break. That was when the world literally came crashing down around the young bald eagle. Once on the ground the young eagle chick was rescued by forest rangers and taken to the Thompson Zoo in Manitoba, where he was hand raised by the keepers. At eight months of age, and now imprinted upon humans, the decision was taken by the Canadian authorities that this bird could not safely be released back to the wild. That was when he came to Paradise Park. Seeing Archie, as he became known, has become one of the highlights of a visit to Paradise Park ever since, flying above the crowds at the daily ‘Eagles of Paradise’ display.
A Bald Eagle’s diet consists mainly of fish, but it is an opportunistic feeder. They prefer habitats near seacoasts, rivers, large lakes, oceans, and other large bodies of open water with an abundance of fish and hunt by swooping down and snatching the fish out of the water with its talons. They reach 35–43 mph when gliding and flapping and when they dive it’s between 75–99 mph, although they seldom dive vertically. Considered a sacred bird in some North American cultures, the Bald Eagle is the national bird of the United States of America.
For more information on the daily events and flying times please visit www.paradisepark.org.uk
