Wildwood Trust, Kent

I am, at the moment, slightly injured with a strained tendon in my shoulder which means I am restricted as to what I can achieve in the studio (which often involves some quite strenuous activity on my part).

So my enforced “rest” period has enabled me to tackle some of those jobs that just get left until it is absolutely necessary (i.e. computer based jobs).  But it has also meant I have finally found time to visit a local wildlife park here in Kent.

Wildwood Trust Kent, (there is also a branch in Devon) is local to me and is a native species conservation charity. Their main mission is to protect, conserve, and rewild British wildlife.  You can see some of the important projects they are involved in here, but they include breeding and reintroduction of species such as red squirrels, choughs, water voles, pine marten and wild cat.  Another project Wildwood is working on along with Kent Wildlife Trust, which has attracted quite a bit of attention, is the introduction of European Bison to Kent (for the first time in the UK), with the ultimate aim of restoring 600 hectares of ancient woodland.

One of the more surprising species they have at Wildwood are red necked wallabies.  Although (obviously) not a native there are now quite an established population of these marsupials in various parts of the UK, and so it has earned its place in Wildwood.  We were lucky enough to see a Joey poke its head and front feet out of mums pouch – a first for us.

Many thanks to Mark Habben, Director of Zoological Operations at Wildwood who took time out of his busy schedule to show us around and introduce us to some of the animals and explain about some of the projects the park is involved with.  We thoroughly enjoyed our day here and didn’t get time to see everything properly.

Should you be in the area, this park is well worth a visit and reading about the projects they have in place will give you an insight to what you might see and the important work they are involved with.