‘Strictly Come Digging’... Ann Widdecombe starts excavation at the launch of Europe’s biggest Elephant sanctuary
2nd September 2011
Former Conservative MP and television personality the Rt. Hon. Ann Widdecombe visited Bristol today (Thursday 1st September) to help launch the development of Europe’s largest elephant sanctuary at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm in Wraxall.
Ms Widdecombe said it was a “huge pleasure” to help publicise the project and that the new elephant habitat “will be a model for the world” due to provisions made for a 15 acre outdoor grazing environment, and the largest elephant house in Europe.
During a short tour of the zoo, Ann dug the first turf on an eco-irrigation pond which will serve the new site for elephants using a powerful excavator and then fed a tiger in front of an audience of delighted visitors at the 100 acre family attraction. Staff and visitors were thrilled to meet the warm and friendly star of BBCs Strictly Come Dancing and welcomed her enthusiasm for the project.
Having known each other since childhood, zoo Director Anthony Bush was keen to replicate a photo of a 7 year old Ann with her cat which he had taken, by giving her the chance to feed a fully grown tiger at his zoo. Ms Widdecombe jumped at the chance to meet Tanvir the tiger, who seemed to recognise her affinity with felines, coming straight over to be fed by her.
After several years of research and after planning permission was received in 2010, Noah’s Ark now begins development in earnest of a revolutionary elephant sanctuary to be called ‘Elephant Eden’ which will see zoo elephants in need of a new home given the largest habitat of its kind in Europe.
Designed to deal with the serious health issues currently faced by elephants in other zoos and previously identified by welfare charities like the RSPCA, ‘Elephant Eden’ will encourage natural herd migration, feeding and social behaviours to help the animals live active and enriched lives. Noah’s Ark aims to improve the standard of elephant welfare above levels currently available in Europe, with a commitment to meet the challenges this brings through unique designs for feeding, herd interaction and Protective Contact training. Natural breeding will be allowed, with plans allowing an additional extension to the elephant house in years ahead.
With building planned to begin in 2012, Noah’s Ark will now enters further project development and fundraising for the sanctuary, which for the first time in the industry meets important “Best Practise” recommendations for caring for elephants made by the ‘Coalition for Captive Elephant Wellbeing’, going beyond the basic guidelines for elephant keeping in zoos.
Noah’s Ark encourages input and comment from welfare charities as the project moves forward, in line with a desire to see the best standards for elephants in zoos, and to keep the public informed as the project runs.
Further details on sponsorship opportunities and discussion of the project will follow today’s launch, with private consultations available with the zoos management. Details will also be made available shortly online at www.noahsarkzoofarm.co.uk
Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm can be found just outside of Bristol and only minutes from the M5 motorway, open Monday – Saturday 10:30am – 5:00pm. The zoo is closed on Sundays.
For more information about the animals, entry prices and events at Noah’s Ark, visit http://www.noahsarkzoofarm.co.uk/pages/visiting or phone 01275 852606.
Work starts on Wraxall elephant sanctuary: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-14753512
