PANDAMONIUM WEEKEND Become a Red Panda Ranger at Paradise Park, Hayle, Cornwall

Become a Red Panda Ranger

There will be a special ‘Pandamonium’ Red Panda weekend on 3rd and 4th August at Paradise Park the award-winning wildlife sanctuary in Hayle, when the adorable Red Pandas will be centre of attention.

Follow the Red Panda trail and complete three levels to become a Red Panda Ranger to get your certificate and limited edition badge.

You can also get creative and make your own Red Panda mask by colouring in and sticking on fluffy materials!

As well as these panda specials all the other daily feeding and flying events will also take place at the Park.

For all the latest information please check our website at www.paradisepark.org.uk

Rosamunde Pilcher production ‘Snakes In Paradise’ is filmed at Paradise Park, Hayle, Cornwall.

A room in Glanmor House is transformed
into the 'Cornwall Zoo' office. 

‘Snakes is Paradise’ is a 90 minute drama based on a love story between two veterinary workers, adapted from a novel by Cornish novelist Rosamunde Pilcher. It is the latest in a series by the novelist for broadcast in Germany where there is a big fan base for the films.

 

Staff David and Sarah meet actor Wil Coleman.

Much of the filming took place at Paradise Park last September and used Glanmor House which is at the centre of the Park as the ‘Zoo Office’ in the film. Several Keepers acted as extras when filming of the Red Pandas, Burmese Python and Rainbow Lorikeets took place. The Reynolds family who have owned and run Paradise Park since 1973 agreed that all the furniture, including a grand piano, could be removed to enable filming to take place inside the house. Lighting, signage and film crew moved in for four days while staff and visitors watched another classic episode in the making.

Park Director Alison Hales said “We were intrigued to find out how all the elements of a production like this would be put together, and a bit alarmed when so many people, vehicles and kit turned up. But all the film crew and actors were really good, following our instructions on how to behave around the birds and animals to the letter. They worked long hours including filming several scenes at night.

Pilcher fans standing outside Glanmore House

We knew that ‘Snakes in Paradise’ would be going out soon but now we have just had our first Rosamunde Pilcher fans from Germany, who came to see the setting of this latest episode.

The production company FFP New Media has film rights for the best-selling author Rosamunde Pilcher. These romantic love stories, all filmed in Cornwall, have enjoyed huge popularity since the first production in 1993, with average viewing figures of 6 million. To date over 70 have been made, shot in beautiful and dramatic Cornish countryside with well-known German casts, making this format one of the most popular and long-lasting in German television history.

www.paradisepark.org.uk

PARROT PAMPERIING Weekend 27th & 28th July at Paradise Park in Hayle. Cornwall

Come and join in and help the keepers make toys for the parrots!

There will be some extra fun for all the family with a Parrot Pampering weekend on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th July to kick off the school holidays.

Curator David Woolcock explains “Staff will be running a workshop on both days from 1 to 2pm where you can meet the Park’s parrot keepers and make toys for parrots from items such as fruit, seeds, honey, fresh branches, hemp rope, pine cones and even paper bags and old eggs boxes.  These help the birds to feed and play, keeping their beaks busy while they forage for favourite treats and encouraging them to try unusual foods.

While you meet parrots up close at the Rainbow Lorikeet feeding time, right after the workshop at 2pm, the keepers will put the toys out into aviaries so you can see how they like your creations.

Then you can take a seat to see the Free Flying Bird Show (featuring many parrots) which is at 3.30pm every day – not to be missed!  There is also a flying display with birds of prey, the ‘Eagles of Paradise’ at 12 noon each day.”

A special fun Parrot Trail will also be running, with clues and answers around the Park. All completed trail sheets can be handed in to the gift shop for a chance to win a colourful and noisy parrot puppet!

What's on at Paradise Park this Summer Holidays - Parrots, Pandas and Poop

From Parrot Pampering on July 27th and 28th

Pandas in Paradise on the 3rd and 4th August

and The Poop Trail from 24th Jul to 3rd September

WHITSUN RAINBOW WEEK at Paradise Park, Cornwall 25th May to 2nd June

DINO the Serianma

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.

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

Celebrate Archie the Bald Eagle's 25th Birthday at Paradise Park

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

This Easter marks Paradise Park’s 40th Birthday!

To start the 40th Birthday celebrations for Paradise Park, during Easter weekend 29th March to 1st  April, staff will be dressed up in a 1970’s theme, plus there will be some giveaways, specially reduced prices for a variety of items available at the park, and of course the Egg quiz trail with mini chocolate egg prizes. The Egg Hunt will run right through the 2 week holiday.  Keep a check on the Park’s website for all the latest.

It’s a great time to make a visit and catch up with all your favourite birds and animals, and for special events like a penguin photocall where you can meet the friendly penguins up close, and the ‘Flight of the Rainbows’ where you can buy small pots of nectar to feed the colourful little Lorikeet parrots.

The amazing ‘Eagles of Paradise’ display gives you the opportunity to see birds like Archie the Bald Eagle. In the afternoon watch the  ‘Free Flying Bird Show’, see and learn as macaws and conures fly over your head and in-between the crowds.

The brilliant ‘JungleBarn’ indoor play centre has challenging soft play, giant slides plus a special toddlers’ area and cafe. Also enjoy our outdoor ‘Paradise Island’ adventure play area.

Great value Return Tickets, just £3.95 for another visit in 2013. Phone our 24 hour Infoline 01736 751020 or visit our website www.paradisepark.org.uk