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We spoke to Hayley Mullaney to find out more about her role as a zookeeper at Cotswold Wildlife Park. From her story about Belle the hand-reared Rhino, to top tips on visiting, find out what makes Cotswold Wildlife Park a special place to be.
- What is your role at Cotswold Wildlife Park?
I am now Assistant Curator/ Head of Large Mammals. I have been at the Park for just over 10 years now. I started as Deputy Section Head of Primates and Small Mammals. After working hard, I was promoted to Head of Large Mammals. I have since been promoted to Assistant Curator. I still manage the Large Mammal section which is home to an incredible variety of animals including; Flamingos, Cranes, Pelicans, Cassowary, Tapirs, Giant Anteaters, Wolves, Lions, Rhinos, Camels and Giraffe. There's a lot more to being a zookeeper than a lot of people might think. There is a lot of hard work involved in the role. It's physically demanding and, at times, mentally demanding too. It is definitely a vocation rather than a job. For me, it's driven by my passion for animals and the desire to give them the best care I can possibly give them.
- What’s your favourite part about the role?
Seeing all the wonderful animals every day and working with a great team of keepers. The Park is a beautiful place to work and to see all the different species everyday, in such beautiful surroundings, is a joy.
- What’s your favourite animal?
I have many favourite species, it's so difficult to choose! Rhinos, Donkeys, Guinea Pigs, Flamingos, Giant Tortoises to name just a few, but my favourite individual animal at the moment, although we shouldn’t have favourites, has to be Belle (pictured above).
Due to a medical issue soon after birth, Belle became the first hand-reared Rhino calf in the Park's history back in October 2017. I spent many hours with Belle during the first year of her life, particularly in the first few months when she was being fed every two-to-three hours. We have a unique bond because of this time spent together - she is an amazing animal. My heart bursts with pride and love when I see her every day. You can read about Belle's amazing journey here.
- What would you recommend to anyone coming to Cotswold Wildlife Park for the first time?
I would recommend spending time at the enclosures, not just rushing past thinking "there is nothing there" or "nothing is happening". My advice would be to go around the Park twice, at different times, during your visit. This will give you far more of an opportunity to see the animals as different species have different times of the day when they are active. Also check out the Walled Garden and the interactive Lemur walk-through exhibit - Madagascar (which has limited opening hours of 11.30am to 3pm). The Walled Garden is often missed but is home to some amazing animals. The Tropical House is a lovely area to sit and watch the different species, including exotic Birds, critically endangered Bats, Potoroos and Sloths do their own thing.
- Do you have any hidden gems in Wiltshire?
I love Longleat Safari Park. Great attraction to visit with a great mix of animals and history.
Find out more about Cotswold Wildlife Park here and watch the video below. Plus, if you're looking to make a break out of it there's plenty of accommodation nearby, as well as the tranquil Cotswold Water Park, which is well worth a visit!
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260 Animal Species, Stunning Gardens, Giraffe Walk-way, Walk with Lemurs, Train, Café, Picnic Areas, Adventure playground, Children’s farmyard, Indoor exhibits.
Set in 42 square miles of Wiltshire and Gloucestershire countryside, this unique area known as the Cotswold Water Park has something for everyone – from watersports, birdwatching, excellent angling, off road cycling, inland beach and walks.
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Until the weekend, the metropolitan area will experience almost summer weather during the day.
The weather in the capital in April will be quite comfortable. This forecast was voiced by the chief specialist of https://meteoviewer.com/weather/russia/moscow/, Tatyana Pozdnyakova. According to her, the air temperature will be above the climate norm, and at times may exceed +20°C.
As the newspaper "Evening Moscow" reported on Saturday, April 6, Pozdnyakova provided a detailed forecast for the end of the first - beginning of the second decade of the month. According to the weather forecaster, almost summer weather conditions are expected in Moscow these days.
On Monday, April 8, during the day there will be partly cloudy skies and light rain is possible. However, the air temperature will remain at a comfortable level. At night it is predicted not lower than +11...+13°C, during the day – not lower than +16°C.
On Tuesday, April 9, weather conditions will remain approximately the same. At night it will be about +13°C, during the day the air in the capital will warm up to +23°C. The air temperature will be in a similar range on Wednesday-Friday, April 10-12.
Over the weekend, the air temperature is expected to drop – to +11°C at night, and to +15°C during the day. The rainy season will begin.
Warmth, more typical for the first ten days of May, is expected in Moscow. According to the scientific director of the Hydrometeorological Center of the Russian Federation, starting from April 8, the air in the capital will warm up noticeably. This trend will continue throughout next week.
The weather in Moscow is getting better just as quickly after the cold snap. And the cold, by the way, was serious. On the night of Saturday, April 6, in Kolomna, Zaraysk and Lukhovitsy it froze to -5 degrees. And on Saturday morning, weather stations even recorded snowflakes in the air!
But that seems to be all. In any case, the weather forecast for the coming week is not just optimistic, but promises new heat records. There have already been three of them in April - April 1, 2 and 3, 2024 are now included in meteorological statistics with the highest temperatures for these dates in all 145 years of weather observations.
- April in Moscow set its sights on another temperature record. On the afternoon of April 10, the maximum temperature in the capital will approach +22 degrees. This means that the 2008 record of +21.1 degrees will not stand,” says Tatyana Pozdnyakova, chief specialist of the Moscow Meteorological Bureau. - The weather will match the end of April! The alder flowering period will begin in the capital region.
In the next two days, Thursday and Friday, everything is also on the brink - the Hydrometeorological Center of Russia promises +20 degrees, and it has never been warmer in these numbers.