On Friday we had visitors so decided a day trip would be good. The weather appeared to be fine and it was decided that we visit Howletts, wildlife conservation park nearby. I have posted about Howletts before, when we visited the park with my school.
It was a lovely day out, seeing the elephants and rhinos. They have successfully bred these animals, and reintroduced many into their natural habitats too!
The black rhinos had a baby and they were so lovely to watch, mummy helping baby out of a trench, and them walking companionably together around their paddock. the elephants were just magnificent and there were a good eight of them in the aea at once, following each other around.
The tigers, once they woke up, were pretty amazing too!
And I just love the monkeys, all manner of primates, from Gorillas to baboons to macaques. We saw the big gorilla really show his authority, and even beating his chest at one point. A motorbike zoomed past, outside the park and the noise got his hackles up, so he raised to his two feet and beat his chest, before running towards us, then stopping and striking the pose below (that’s him, the silver backed one!). The keeper came out too and they all knew it meant food time. Big man over there went and sat slap bang in front of the food hatch and waited until he chose his food, two carrots and a leek. After he sauntered off to eat the others got a look in. But it didn’t stop a cheeky younger one from tapping the big guy on one shoulder, reaching over and snatching a carrot from the other side then running away! Hilarious to watch! Then the other beautiful beast was brilliant too, playing chase with two younger ones through cages and tunnels, before sitting down to contemplate life and stare wistfully out!
The baboons had us in hysterics, chasing each other around, each playing the ‘Big I Am’ and asserting authority before another scared the first away!
The Asian leopards were pretty stunning though one pooped as we were watching and the kids marvelled at the similarity between Sonu Singh and his bigger cousins!
The park was set up by John Aspinall, the centre, along with it’s sister park Port Lympne where you can even stay in cabins and go on jeep safaris, to help with the conservation of these beautiful animals, and many more, like giraffes and zebras too!
And here are a few Instagram posts I made from the day too.
All in all, a lovely day!
robbiesinspiration
Apr 17, 2017 @ 10:31:56
A lovely post, Ritu. I am very pleased to see the rhino. These poor creatures are getting a very bad rap here in Africa due to the high value of rhino horn. So lovely to see animals even if it has to be in cages.
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Ritu
Apr 17, 2017 @ 12:46:25
They spoke to all about the rhino conservation. It horrifying. These were black rhinos xxx
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Judy E Martin
Apr 16, 2017 @ 18:59:30
It looks like you had a great time Sis. There are some beautiful animals there , and Port Lympe seems to have a lot going on there too.:-)
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Ritu
Apr 16, 2017 @ 22:06:19
I really want to stay there sis xxx
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Judy E Martin
Apr 17, 2017 @ 09:20:08
I am sure you will 🙂
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Ritu
Apr 17, 2017 @ 09:26:26
One day eh!!!
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Judy E Martin
Apr 17, 2017 @ 13:43:31
For sure! 🙂
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willowdot21
Apr 16, 2017 @ 18:10:39
Fabulous looks like a beautiful day for all Sis xxx
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Ritu
Apr 16, 2017 @ 22:04:23
Oh it was lovely sis!!!
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willowdot21
Apr 16, 2017 @ 22:06:17
Good ❤️
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syl65
Apr 16, 2017 @ 17:05:47
Looks wonderful and exciting Sister!! Love those lazy big cats!! Glad everyone had a good time!!!
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Ritu
Apr 16, 2017 @ 22:03:33
Oh it was a great day Brother!!!
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syl65
Apr 16, 2017 @ 22:26:40
Especially with that chest pounding gorilla!!!🦍
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Ritu
Apr 16, 2017 @ 22:33:35
It was so amazing to see… as long as there was a barrier though eh lol!!
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syl65
Apr 17, 2017 @ 01:03:25
Lol!!! Thank goodness!!!
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Ritu
Apr 17, 2017 @ 09:24:44
Lol! Indeed Brother!
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syl65
Apr 17, 2017 @ 13:19:42
😁😁😁
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desertcurmudgeon
Apr 16, 2017 @ 17:02:02
That was so, so cool. Animals are good people.
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Ritu
Apr 16, 2017 @ 22:03:18
Love animals xx
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floridaborne
Apr 16, 2017 @ 13:43:39
What a fine way to spend a day. It’s great to see animals having space to run. When I was younger, zoos seemed to be such depressing places — so confined.
Thanks for the great pictures so that others could enjoy your day, too.
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Ritu
Apr 16, 2017 @ 13:49:22
This is a lovely wildlife parj..its great to see the animals with so much space!!!!
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Erika Kind
Apr 16, 2017 @ 13:21:18
That sounds like a fun trip! I always enjoyed going to the zoo with the kids!
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Ritu
Apr 16, 2017 @ 13:34:37
It was lovely sis, and the weather was great too!
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Erika Kind
Apr 16, 2017 @ 14:01:22
Just perfect!! 💖
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The Story Reading Ape
Apr 16, 2017 @ 12:35:08
That was my cousin, Kifu, striking that pose, Ritu. He always was a show off 😄😄😄
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Ritu
Apr 16, 2017 @ 12:37:59
Lol!!! Chris when I saw him, I actually thought of You!!!
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The Story Reading Ape
Apr 16, 2017 @ 12:44:45
HARUMPH – He always was a Chick Magnet 😄😄😄
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Ritu
Apr 16, 2017 @ 12:58:05
He he!!!
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Lisa Orchard
Apr 16, 2017 @ 12:00:27
Great pics! I love seeing animals in their natural habitat!
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Ritu
Apr 16, 2017 @ 12:02:32
Me too! I’m hoping to visit the sister park one day too!!!
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Lisa Orchard
Apr 16, 2017 @ 15:17:46
Awesome!
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