Wolves go wild in Kent woodland

Wolves go wild in Kent woodland

Wildwood are enormously proud to announce the opening of Britain’s most innovative wolf woodland enclosure. A unique two-level woodland feature will allow visitors to venture into the heart of the wolf pack’s lair and experience what it is like to share the woodland with the wolves. With immersive 360-degree panoramic views, accessible to all, thousands of families can join the wolves in one of Britain’s most engaging animal experiences. Local MP Sir Roger Gale and his wife Lady Gale will officially open the new woodland wolf experience to visitors on Sunday 25th March 2018 at 12.30pm. Sir Roger and Lady Gale are well known advocates for animal welfare and have been good friends to Wildwood Trust since its earliest beginnings and Sir Roger was instrumental in helping found the charity 18 years ago.

Wildwood’s two new wolves, Nuna & Odin, have become a pair over the last year and it is hoped they will breed in the coming weeks. The new wolf enclosure was lovingly created to cater for their every need. Nuna & Odin were brought into the UK from Switzerland and Sweden and are both two years old. The wolves have undergone a long process of bonding under the expert guidance of Wildwood keepers, initially shy and fearful the pair have now formed an inseparable and loving bond.

Wolves were a native UK species long before they were vilified and eventually exterminated in the 18th century. Since then, their behaviour has become better understood and scientists have also discovered the importance of predator species to ecosystems. With new insights into ecology we now know that by reintroducing key species such as the wolves, pressure from the current overgrazing would be eased on ecosystems, as well as improving the levels of biodiversity. Wolves are keystone species, which means they drastically alter the environment around them for the better and can help create a healthy environment for our children to inherit. The dangers of wolves are vastly overplayed and the presence of wolves in the wilder parts of Britain could do far more good for us and, as wolves recolonise every country across Europe with wolves now living near Paris, in Holland and Denmark, it is only right that we consider their return to the UK.

Visitors to Wildwood can enter the new wolf woodland after the opening ceremony and throughout the Easter Holidays. To find out more go to www.wildwoodtrust.org

Wildwood Trust Herne Common Herne Bay Kent CT6 7LQ Registered Charity No: 1093702 Wildwood Kent: 01227 712 111 Wildwood Devon: 01404 822 188 info@wildwoodtrust.org