The
purpose of our talks and displays is to showcase a number of our animals
and be able to give visitors much more information about them than is
usually possible.
FALCONRY DISPLAYS
During the Falconry displays we use the 'positive reinforcement' training
techniques that have been used with birds of prey for hundreds of years.
This involves gaining the trust of the bird and rewarding it for good
behaviour. Bad or should we say 'undesirable' behaviour is just ignored,
no form of punishment, including withholding food, is ever used.
All the birds are on a special diet and the amount of food eaten each
day is dependent on how much work they've done and what the temperature
is (on a cold day they will need more energy/food). As we try to show
as much natural behaviour as possible, the birds are encouraged to complete
tasks that they would encounter every day in the wild. This may entail
catching food in mid air or manoeuvring around obstacles such as trees
and branches.
Occasionally our Falconers will ask for a volunteer from the audience
to assist, but as our Falconers know the birds intimately if there is
any perceived threat to the health and safety of the bird or volunteer
that part of the display will not take place. At each display we will
endeavour to involve at least two different species of bird but depending
on circumstance this may be as many as four.
During training and while being flown in the displays the birds are kept
in the Hawk Walk. This involves restraining the birds with leather 'Jesses'
around their legs. The reason for this is to stop the birds form attacking
each other and also to stop them from damaging themselves on the wire
of an enclosure. This could happen when a trained and 'keen' bird (one
that has yet to be flown) recognises a member of staff and tries to fly
to them expecting a reward, sometimes in this situation the bird will
fly straight into the wire and injure itself.
Altogether the birds only spend a maximum of six months at a time flying
in the demonstrations, they then have a 'holiday' where they are put into
off show enclosures, moult their feathers and in some cases breed.
MEET
THE ANIMALS TALKS
These talks take place once a day and are given by our keepers. Normally
an animal from each of the major families: Mammals, Birds and Reptiles
are taken into our display area for the talks. Occasionally due to cold
temperatures we may not be able to bring out a Reptile but this will be
explained at the beginning of the talk.
The keepers will tell you lots of information about the species and the
individual (all of our animals have names and their own unique personality).
They will also ask for any questions you may have about them. As with
any animals it sometimes becomes necessary to hand rear babies, where
possible these babies will be reared in such a way as to allow re-introduction
to the family group at a later date.
However some animals with very strong family bonds will not accept the
baby back (Primates and Meerkats are good examples). As these hand reared
individuals are very used to humans and in fact need stimulation and interaction
with their adoptive family they are often brought out during the talks.
Photography is welcome at the talks and displays but should be for personal
use only. Professional photographers should first seek permission before
visiting.
DISPLAY AND TALK TIMES
Our Falconry displays and 'Meet the Animals' talks take place daily
throughout the year. Our timetable of events is as follows:
12.30 Falconry Display
2.00 Meet the Animals talk
3.30 Falconry Display (between
the 1st March and 31st October only)
Visitor Information
Opening Times, How to find us, Travel, Schools
Information
Animals and Plants
Mammals, Cats and Carnivores, Birds, Insects and Reptiles, Fish and Amphibians
and plants.
Amazon World Zoo Park Watery Lane, Nr Arreton, Isle of Wight PO36 0LX
Tel: 01983 867122 Fax: 01983 868560 Email: info@amazonworld.co.uk