Students took a walk on the wild side yesterday as they visited the fascinating collection of species at the Cotswold Wildlife Park. The Park is home to over 280 different species, many of them classified as threatened or endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

Students came face to face (through glass) with frilled lizards and a reticulated python, and witnessed the gangling yet elegant movement of the giraffes. A particular highlight was feeding time for the Humboldt penguins: at three o’clock, these clever creatures were already lined up in their enclosure ready to catch the fish that the keepers would soon throw their way. Students also loved seeing, and even petting, some of the oh-so-cute farmyard animals―we defy anyone to look on a pygmy goat or shetland pony and not crack a smile.

The wildlife fun did not stop there, but continued even when students were back in St Hugh’s. For in the evening, Animal Man came to visit: he brought a few new furry friends for students to meet, such as a very sleepy skunk and an amiable armadillo. Students enjoyed learning about these creatures too, and went into dinner feeling quite the wildlife experts!