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TROTTERS WORLD OF ANIMALS
Text and photographs by David Marshall
The West Lakes section of the U.K.'s spectacular Lake District
area is home to a unique wildlife park known as Trotters World
of Animals. Situated on the southern shore of Bassenthwaite
Lake, a few miles from the tourist centre of Keswick, you will
find no finer setting for such a park than this, as you are
surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery creating an amazing
setting.
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A beautiful setting for a wildlife
park
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Located to the right of the entrance kiosk is a very interesting
Tropical House. Here you will find the only aquarium. This lovely
Rift Valley set-up has plenty of activity at two levels. In
upper and mid-water a large group of Labidochromis caruleus
hold the ground and these cichlids have bright yellow bodies
complimented, in females, with black highlights. At the bottom
level, hidden among rocks, are a number of old Synodontis njassae
that were busy holding ground against each other. Elsewhere
the Axolotl exhibit was causing much interest whilst various
Turtles lazed about in their exhibit areas. Young people were
taking turns to cuddle a large Albino Snake as the Keeper explained
to them the responsibilities of keeping such a creature.
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Labidochromis caeruleus
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Albino Axolotl
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Out in the open and we head for the mammal and bird exhibits.
What I love about Trotters is that they make the best use of
available space yet do not pack in species for the sake of it
so all of the creatures here not only have well thought out
enclosures but plenty of space in which to move around and express
themselves etc. Here you will feel no concern about how any
of the creatures present are maintained.
First section is South America. My favourite exhibit has to
be the Tapirs. These extraordinary animals are so majestic and,
on this visit, we caught them being groomed.
They were really enjoying this - although they have the incentive
that good behaviour at this time brings food treats. It was
a hot day in June so, as you will see, the Capybara were behaving,
as we would all like to have done!
We caught the free flying bird show. Beautifully presented,
the birds of prey involved have the freedom to 'do their own
thing' whilst entertaining visitors. The Bengal Eagle Owl and
American Bald Eagle were the stars today and had the audience
captivated.
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Birds of prey
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Birds of prey
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Now we are onto the main mammal and bird sections and here
we have a wide variety of creatures including Fallow Deer, Rhea,
Red Panda, Swans, European Polecat, Bison, Yak, Cameroon Sheep
and various Lemur species. Stars are our close relatives the
Mandrills, Gibbons and Brown Capuchin.
Final exhibit is the Monkey House. The Tamarins, Marmosets
and Squirrel Monkeys are mischievous little creatures always
looking for food items.
Sue and I enjoy our visits to Trotters and, as you can see
from the accompanying
photographs, this a wonderful place to spend some time.
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