Glorious Easter weather brings adders out of hibernation

Glorious Easter weather brings adders out of hibernation

Glorious sunshine over the Easter Holiday has awakened Wildwood’s adders, which have been released today for visitors to enjoy. The release was caught on camera and our snakes can now be seen basking in the sunshine in their specially designed enclosure.

Click here to watch our adders being released

Head Keeper Paul Wirdnam said: “Sunny days during Easter is the best time to see adders and the cool air means the snakes need to bask on tree stumps to catch the sunshine and keep warm. Our snakes have hibernated from October and have only just woken up. After health checks, they are ready to bask in the glorious sunshine.” Keepers are just putting finish Wildwood Trust’s second adder enclosure, which will give visitors more chances to glimpse this incredible British reptile. Scientist have recently warned that the adder could go extinct in less than two decades. Surveys have shown that 90% of adder populations are in decline. Wildwood's Peter Smith said: “Wildwood’s conservation team are researching the feasibility of returning adders to the wild and are working to improve adder habitat in Kent. Our rewilding programmes offers the chance to re-create ideal habitat for adders, so they can survive the threats of intensive farming and development that threaten their existence in the UK.”

The adder is a small snake that prefers woodland, heathland and moorland habitats. It hunts lizards and small mammals, as well as the occasional small bird. In spring, male adders perform a 'dance' during which they duel to fend off competition to mate. Females incubate the eggs internally, 'giving birth' to three to twenty live young. Adders hibernate from October, emerging in the first warm days of March or April, which is the easiest time of year to find them basking on a log or under a warm rock. The adder is the UK's only venomous snake, but its poison is generally of little danger to humans: an adder bite can be very painful and cause a nasty inflammation, but is only dangerous to the very young, ill or old. If bitten, medical attention should be sought immediately, however. Adders are secretive animals and prefer to slither off into the undergrowth than confront and bite humans and domestic animals; most attacks happen when they are trodden on or picked up. Instead, they use their venom to immobilise and kill their prey of small mammals, nestlings and lizards.   Statistics Length: 60-80cm Weight: 50-100g Average lifespan: up to 15 years   Conservation status Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework.   When to see March to October.     FOLLOW US Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewildwoodtrust Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WildwoodTrust Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/thewildwoodtrust   ABOUT WILDWOOD Wildwood Trust opened in 1999 as a centre of excellence for the conservation of British wildlife, and was established as a registered charity in 2002. Wildwood is Kent's best British wildlife park. Home to over 200 native animals, past and present and set in 40 acres of beautiful ancient woodland where visitors can see bears, wolves, bison, deer, owls, foxes, red squirrels, wild boar, lynx, wild horses, badgers and beavers plus many more. As one of the leading British animal conservation charities in the UK, Wildwood Trust is dedicated to saving Britain's most threatened wildlife. Wildwood Trust have taken part in many ground-breaking conservation programmes to date, which include, saving the water vole, using wild horses to help restore Kent's most precious nature reserves, bringing the extinct European beaver back to Britain and returning the hazel dormouse & red squirrel to areas where they have been made extinct.

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

Adders out of hibernation

* PRESS RELEASE *

Glorious Easter weather brings adders out of hibernation

Glorious sunshine over the Easter Holiday has awakened Wildwood’s adders, which have been released today for visitors to enjoy. The release was caught on camera and our snakes can now be seen basking in the sunshine in their specially designed enclosure.

Click here to watch our adders being released

Head Keeper Paul Wirdnam said: “Sunny days during Easter is the best time to see adders and the cool air means the snakes need to bask on tree stumps to catch the sunshine and keep warm. Our snakes have hibernated from October and have only just woken up. After health checks, they are ready to bask in the glorious sunshine.” Keepers are just putting finish Wildwood Trust’s second adder enclosure, which will give visitors more chances to glimpse this incredible British reptile. Scientist have recently warned that the adder could go extinct in less than two decades. Surveys have shown that 90% of adder populations are in decline. Wildwood's Peter Smith said: “Wildwood’s conservation team are researching the feasibility of returning adders to the wild and are working to improve adder habitat in Kent. Our rewilding programmes offers the chance to re-create ideal habitat for adders, so they can survive the threats of intensive farming and development that threaten their existence in the UK.”

The adder is a small snake that prefers woodland, heathland and moorland habitats. It hunts lizards and small mammals, as well as the occasional small bird. In spring, male adders perform a 'dance' during which they duel to fend off competition to mate. Females incubate the eggs internally, 'giving birth' to three to twenty live young. Adders hibernate from October, emerging in the first warm days of March or April, which is the easiest time of year to find them basking on a log or under a warm rock. The adder is the UK's only venomous snake, but its poison is generally of little danger to humans: an adder bite can be very painful and cause a nasty inflammation, but is only dangerous to the very young, ill or old. If bitten, medical attention should be sought immediately, however. Adders are secretive animals and prefer to slither off into the undergrowth than confront and bite humans and domestic animals; most attacks happen when they are trodden on or picked up. Instead, they use their venom to immobilise and kill their prey of small mammals, nestlings and lizards.   Statistics Length: 60-80cm Weight: 50-100g Average lifespan: up to 15 years   Conservation status Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework.   When to see March to October.     CONTACT Wildwood Trust: +44(0)1227 712 111 Peter Smith: peter@wildwoodtrust.org or 07986 828229 Dan Farrow: dan.farrow@wildwoodtrust.org or 01227 209617   Wildwood Trust, Herne Common, Herne Bay, Nr Canterbury, Kent CT6 7LQ Registered Charity No. 1093702   FOLLOW US Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewildwoodtrust Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WildwoodTrust Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/thewildwoodtrust   ABOUT WILDWOOD Wildwood Trust opened in 1999 as a centre of excellence for the conservation of British wildlife, and was established as a registered charity in 2002. Wildwood is Kent's best British wildlife park. Home to over 200 native animals, past and present and set in 40 acres of beautiful ancient woodland where visitors can see bears, wolves, bison, deer, owls, foxes, red squirrels, wild boar, lynx, wild horses, badgers and beavers plus many more. As one of the leading British animal conservation charities in the UK, Wildwood Trust is dedicated to saving Britain's most threatened wildlife. Wildwood Trust have taken part in many ground-breaking conservation programmes to date, which include, saving the water vole, using wild horses to help restore Kent's most precious nature reserves, bringing the extinct European beaver back to Britain and returning the hazel dormouse & red squirrel to areas where they have been made extinct.

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

Adders out of hibernation

* PRESS RELEASE *

Glorious Easter weather brings adders out of hibernation

Glorious sunshine over the Easter Holiday has awakened Wildwood’s adders, which have been released today for visitors to enjoy. The release was caught on camera and our snakes can now be seen basking in the sunshine in their specially designed enclosure.

Click here to watch our adders being released

Head Keeper Paul Wirdnam said: “Sunny days during Easter is the best time to see adders and the cool air means the snakes need to bask on tree stumps to catch the sunshine and keep warm. Our snakes have hibernated from October and have only just woken up. After health checks, they are ready to bask in the glorious sunshine.” Keepers are just putting finish Wildwood Trust’s second adder enclosure, which will give visitors more chances to glimpse this incredible British reptile. Scientist have recently warned that the adder could go extinct in less than two decades. Surveys have shown that 90% of adder populations are in decline. Wildwood's Peter Smith said: “Wildwood’s conservation team are researching the feasibility of returning adders to the wild and are working to improve adder habitat in Kent. Our rewilding programmes offers the chance to re-create ideal habitat for adders, so they can survive the threats of intensive farming and development that threaten their existence in the UK.”

The adder is a small snake that prefers woodland, heathland and moorland habitats. It hunts lizards and small mammals, as well as the occasional small bird. In spring, male adders perform a 'dance' during which they duel to fend off competition to mate. Females incubate the eggs internally, 'giving birth' to three to twenty live young. Adders hibernate from October, emerging in the first warm days of March or April, which is the easiest time of year to find them basking on a log or under a warm rock. The adder is the UK's only venomous snake, but its poison is generally of little danger to humans: an adder bite can be very painful and cause a nasty inflammation, but is only dangerous to the very young, ill or old. If bitten, medical attention should be sought immediately, however. Adders are secretive animals and prefer to slither off into the undergrowth than confront and bite humans and domestic animals; most attacks happen when they are trodden on or picked up. Instead, they use their venom to immobilise and kill their prey of small mammals, nestlings and lizards.   Statistics Length: 60-80cm Weight: 50-100g Average lifespan: up to 15 years   Conservation status Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework.   When to see March to October.     CONTACT Wildwood Trust: +44(0)1227 712 111 Peter Smith: peter@wildwoodtrust.org or 07986 828229 Dan Farrow: dan.farrow@wildwoodtrust.org or 01227 209617   Wildwood Trust, Herne Common, Herne Bay, Nr Canterbury, Kent CT6 7LQ Registered Charity No. 1093702   FOLLOW US Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewildwoodtrust Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WildwoodTrust Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/thewildwoodtrust   ABOUT WILDWOOD Wildwood Trust opened in 1999 as a centre of excellence for the conservation of British wildlife, and was established as a registered charity in 2002. Wildwood is Kent's best British wildlife park. Home to over 200 native animals, past and present and set in 40 acres of beautiful ancient woodland where visitors can see bears, wolves, bison, deer, owls, foxes, red squirrels, wild boar, lynx, wild horses, badgers and beavers plus many more. As one of the leading British animal conservation charities in the UK, Wildwood Trust is dedicated to saving Britain's most threatened wildlife. Wildwood Trust have taken part in many ground-breaking conservation programmes to date, which include, saving the water vole, using wild horses to help restore Kent's most precious nature reserves, bringing the extinct European beaver back to Britain and returning the hazel dormouse & red squirrel to areas where they have been made extinct.

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

Fun for Easter at Wildwood

Easter at Wildwood Saturday 6th April - Monday 22nd April

Spring is in the air, new life is blossoming at Wildwood and we're gearing up for Easter holidays. We have plenty of activities to entertain adults and children over the egg-citing two week period, including free talks, feeds, activities and a FREE 'Find the Egg' trail with a draw for some great prizes. We also have our menagerie of British wildlife from past and present, a new red squirrel walkthrough, a kiosk for tasty snacks and beverages, our bears out of hibernation and our egg-xtraordinary playpark - all wrapped up in 40 acres of ancient woodland. We can't wait to see you this Easter! Meet an Animal Your chance to meet one of our cuddly, friendly critters. Ask at our admissions area for times on the day when you arrive. Daily Talks Find out more about the history and behaviour of our animals with engaging talks and feeds by our wildlife experts. 11am - Fallow Deer 12pm - Bears 1pm - Otters 2pm - Wolves 3pm - Red Squirrels Daily Activities Touchtables - Get close to nature and interact with antlers, skulls, furs and other tactile animal artifacts at our touchtables. Whose Poo/Nest? - Learn about and see the nests and poo of British animals. Mask Making - Use one of Wildwood's templates and make your own British wildlife mask. How to Feed a Zoo - Learn all about the nutritional needs of our animals and what it takes to keep over 200 animals fit and healthy. * All talks will take place at the animals' enclosures. Talks, meet an animal and activities may vary, please check the noticeboard on entry to the park for daily details. 'Find the Egg' Trail It's free, it's over the whole of the Easter break and it involves beautiful eggs. Help your little ones to find our eggs throughout the park, fill out the trail card with the correct answers and then enter into our prize draw for a chance to win vouchers. Wildwood Watch Our resident bushcraft expert, Steve Kirk, will be running FREE events throughout the park on Tuesdays and Wednesdays over the holiday period. Tuesdays Morning - Atlatl Spear Throwing Afternoon - Bushcraft Wednesdays Morning - Nature Walk Afternoon - Nature Walk * Wildwood Watch must be booked in advance (speak to our shop staff on 01227 209621 or email help@wildwoodtrust.org). Limited Spaces. Min Age 7. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Wildwood Trust, Herne Common, Herne Bay, Nr Canterbury, Kent CT6 7LQ Registered Charity No. 1093702   FOLLOW US Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewildwoodtrust Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WildwoodTrust Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/thewildwoodtrust   ABOUT WILDWOOD Wildwood Trust opened in 1999 as a centre of excellence for the conservation of British wildlife, and was established as a registered charity in 2002. Wildwood is Kent's best British wildlife park. Home to over 200 native animals, past and present and set in 40 acres of beautiful ancient woodland where visitors can see bears, wolves, bison, deer, owls, foxes, red squirrels, wild boar, lynx, wild horses, badgers and beavers plus many more. As one of the leading British animal conservation charities in the UK, Wildwood Trust is dedicated to saving Britain's most threatened wildlife. Wildwood Trust have taken part in many ground-breaking conservation programmes to date, which include, saving the water vole, using wild horses to help restore Kent's most precious nature reserves, bringing the extinct European beaver back to Britain and returning the hazel dormouse & red squirrel to areas where they have been made extinct.

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