Delightful Antics As Park Springs Into Life (from Scene South)

Alittle nose and whiskers peep out as the young otter takes a breath of cold air.

Enjoying their swim whatever the weather with their double fur coat to keep them warm, the otters at The New Forest Otter, Owl and Wildlife Conservation Park look forward to showing off to the visitors with their springtime antics. After another year of orphaned wild Eurasian otters being prepared to return to the wild, the park now welcomes Brussel, Sprout, Parsnip and Tweed. Although these little ones will receive their care off-show, there are plenty more otters to see around the park.

Dotty and Loki, the tame fallow deer, shelter from the rain under the rhododendrons, looking a little forlorn with the occasional slug nestling on their ears. They also look forward to busier times in Wallaby Wood with laughter from the children as Dotty nibbles their clothes.

During February half-term the park will have children's activities. At lunchtime, woodland stories will be told and there will be a special trail with answers to find around the park.

The park is a member of BIAZA and will be supporting its campaign for 2008 which is the Year of the Frog. Frogs around the world are gravely endangered, and the park, through its education department, will try to raise public awareness.

There will be great excitement during the summer when the butterflies will return to the New Forest.

The park's new butterfly house is being constructed and it hopes to play host to a rabble of tropical butterflies.

Watch the local press and check the website ottersandowls.co.uk for updates. With the onset of this new venture the park will participate in National Insect Week from June 23.

Because of an early Easter the park will be covering a whole month of children's activities for the school holidays. It will celebrate Easter weekend and the start of spring with stories, face painting, a Springtime Trail and crafts.

Park staff look forward to seeing school parties enjoying fun days out and fully support Out of Classroom' learning.

See, listen and learn as experienced guides take your pupils around the woodland trail and cover the curriculum with the Nature and Puppet Trail.

Have a birthday party with a difference - a fun tour followed by tea in the study room.

The warm and friendly Bakehouse serves up hot and cold snacks, light lunches and cream teas at reasonable prices.

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