Knowsley Online

Raising funds for Charity with park to park ride

 A 15-strong team swapped the safari for the saddle, completing a 56.5 mile journey to raise money for the Wild Camel Protection Foundation and Parkinson's UK.

 

Demonstrating the ultimate in peddle power, the team of energetic staff, and friends of the Safari, cycled from Knowsley through to Wildboarclough in the Peak District, burning a combined 45,585 calories, and climbing 2480 ft to reach their destination.

 

Paul Green, who planned the event comments: "The event was a brilliant success. The whole team pulled together to get through the tougher parts of the ride and knowing that we raised a massive £10,700 for Parkinson's UK and more than £700 for the Wild Camel Protection Trust really helped to spur us on towards the finish line and a well deserved beer."

 

Bridget Murray, Research Officer at Knowsley Safari comments: “This ride marked the start of a five year relationship supporting the Wild Camel Protection Trust. The funds raised will provide vital support in the ongoing fight to protect the Wild Bactrian Camel.

 

“The threat of extinction is real for these animals. Our Park to Peak bike ride was a huge success, and we are looking forward to raising as much awareness and funds as possible."

 

Mini Meerkat pups make an entrance at Knowsley Safari

At just 4 weeks old, Knowsley Safari’s newest arrivals are already causing a stir as they make their mark on the meerkat habitat.

The tiny litter of five pups, smaller than  an egg at birth, arrived on May 28 to first time parents Harry and Luna (named after Harry Potter characters due to a small zig zag on dad's head).

It is the first time that meerkat pups have been born at the Merseyside based Safari in four years.

The adorable pups spent the first weeks cradled in their indoor home under heat lamps and have only recently emerged as the weather improved to explore their new area with the rest of the mob .

Craig Scott, Meerkat Keeper comments: “The pups are just four weeks old, but they are already demonstrating individual personalities. Meerkats are very social animals and they are exploring the new area, interacting with the rest of the mob  and generally causing mischief in the group!

“They spend a lot of time together foraging for tasty bugs and grubs, so we are spending time scattering food and encouraging the pups to investigate their new surroundings.”

Meerkats are native to southern Africa and can be found in the Kalahari Desert. They have adapted to living in very harsh conditions and climate, with little water, limited food and many predators. They have ears that can close in the event of a sandstorm and dark patches around their eyes lessen the desert glare like sunglasses.