Last month I told you all about the launch of the Zoological Society of Hertfordshire (ZSH) and last weekend was the official launch of the charity. Incorporating the award winning Paradise Wildlife Park brand, ZSH will focus on education and animal conservation. I wasn't able to make the launch, with it being so close to my due date I needed to stay close to home! I was really pleased to hear that the launch was a success with over 300 guests from the world of conservation, business, music and TV rubbing shoulders with Paradise Wildlife Park’s friends, family, supporters and animals, and even the sun made an appearance!
A marquee reception was followed by the opening of Paradise’s new state-of- the-art ‘Penguin Falls’ enclosure by ZSH Chair of Trustees, Sir. Eric Peacock. Housing endangered African Penguins, the enclosure is based on the bird’s homeland in the South of Africa and was clearly a great hit with guests and residents alike. It provides much needed space for an excellent quality of life and breeding – Paradise Wildlife Park is one of only two zoos in the UK to be recommended for African Penguin
breeding.
Guests – young and old – then returned to the marquee for lunch and to hear more about the Park’s remarkable history and fundraising work from its founder, Peter Sampson. As Peter highlighted, the Park has already made contributions of over £5,000,000 to conservation and wildlife causes in the UK and around the world, as well as other charities and good causes.
There was delicious street food to be enjoyed by all, with colourful traditional African singing, juggling and fire eating for entertainment before departing to roam the Park, enjoying the sun with the animals.
ZSH Director, Lynn Whitnall, said: “We were delighted to welcome so many friends and supporters to our launch event. As a zoo we’re crucially aware that our purpose will always be questioned so it’s great to experience the goodwill we all felt today.
“At Paradise Wildlife Park, we’ve always made the wellbeing of our animals and the preservation of the wider natural world our prime focus. The creation of ZSH will help us to continue this work and, we hope, to expand our conservation and educational work, making clear the valuable role zoos can play in protecting the lasting freedom of species throughout the world.”
This is such an exciting new chapter for Paradise Wildlife Park and as soon as this baby is born and we are all settled into our new family routine, the boys and I will be heading to the zoo to say hello and see the wonderful new penguin enclosure. To find out more about Paradise Wildlife Park, pop over to their website.
Will you be visiting Paradise Wildlife Park this Easter?
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