The Visitor. Covering Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire
The Visitor. Magazine covering Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire. Since 1983.
Visitors are being invited to join an ‘African Summer’ of live celebrations (July 23rd-Sept 4th) at Longleat to mark the 50th anniversary of its famous Safari Park. The Wiltshire estate was the first place outside Africa to open a drive through safari back in 1966. To celebrate this historic event it’s launching a spectacular summer of entertainment. Full story: Read more
A rare red panda cub has been born at Longleat after keepers launched an international lonely hearts ad to find a mate for their male. It’s the first time the famous Wiltshire safari park has successfully bred red pandas and keepers are delighted with how well the cub, which has yet to be named, is doing. Dad Ajenda, which means ‘King of the Mountain’, came to Longleat from Germany in 2012 and mum Rufina, meaning ‘red-haired’, arrived from Italy just over a year later, following an appeal by keepers. Full story: Read more
There’s nothing like a cooling ice lolly on a sunny summer’s day – and it seems that it’s not just humans that enjoy the prospect of the frozen treats on a stick. A troop of rhesus monkeys at Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire are also determined to chill out despite the heat with the help of fruit-based ice lollies supplied by their caring keepers. Longleat’s Ian Turner says that, as well as helping keep the monkeys cool on hot days, the ice-cold treats encourage them to utilise their natural foraging instincts. Full story: Read more