Step into the Wild has taken an area of over 100 acres, in South Wales, and is working with The Wildlife Trust, The Woodland Trust and Natural Resources Wales, in a huge re-wilding project in the hope to return the natural grasslands and woodlands back to their former glories! Trout, Watervole, Kingfishers and Otters were once common visitors to the site, but numbers have steadily declined in the last 25 years.
After just 12 months of this project, we are already seeing the difference!
More wildlife has been spotted such as; Green and Spotted Woodpeckers, Tawny and Barn Owls, 9 species of Bat and even more recently, Otters.
Sarah Kessell, of the Welsh Wildlife Trust, has been working with Step Into the Wild on a number of different projects, such as; reinstating the Kenson River, and the re-establishment of saltmarsh meadows (an extremely rare but important UK habitat).
Future planned projects include substantial tree re-planting and the possible re-introduction of native animal species!
ENDANGERED ANIMALS
All Things Wild is home to many endangered and near-threatened species
Species classified as ‘Critically Endangered’ on the IUCN Redlist of Threatened Species include; Cotton-top Tamarin, Red-Ruffed Lemur, Electric Blue Day Gecko (Williamsi Gecko), Axolotl, Wild Bactrian Camel.
Species classified as ‘ Endangered’ on the IUCN Redlist of Threatened Species include; Yellow Headed Day Gecko, Chinchilla, Ring-tailed Lemur.
Species classified as ‘Near Threatened’ on the IUCN Redlist of Threatened Species include; Three-banded Armadillo, Cuban Boa, Striated Caracara.
Species classified as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Redlist of Threatened Species include; Sailfin Dragons.
We are contributing towards the conservation of these species by raising awareness of the species and educating our visitors on the threats that these species face in the wild. Our Red-ruffed Lemurs are part of a European breeding programme. We also have breeding plans for certain species such as; the Cotton-top Tamarin and the Electric Blue Day Gecko.
WE RUN EVENTS AND RAFFLES TO RAISE MONEY FOR CONSERVATION CHARITIES
In 2019, we had a charity fete, raising money for the charity ‘Cool Earth’.
In 2020, we did a raffle, raising money for WIRES (Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service), which is Australia’s largest wildlife rescue organisation.
We are continually raising money through our charity pots located at each till, and through various other activities on and off site.
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICE.
WHAT WE DO ON SITE, TO DO OUR PART FOR CONSERVATION
Our Jungle Mayhem building collects rain water to flush some of the toilets on site.
We have solar panels on the roof of Jungle Mayhem to help heat and light our Reptile vivarium’s.
Our café have reduced their plastic by selling cans instead of bottles (including cans of water!)
Our gift shop sell a collection of eco-friendly toys, including Eco buddiez soft toys.
We have recycle bins around the park to encourage our visitors to recycle their rubbish.
We have reduced our paper trail, by making maps and trails downloadable for our visitors.
We have conservation based signage and displays throughout the site, to educate our visitors on the problems that our planet faces and how they can help.
Native Wildlife
What we do on site, to help the native wildlife
We have a bug hotel in our Wild Meadow, to help provide a home for many insects.
We try to ensure that we provide plants on site, that are beneficial for Bee’s and other wildlife.
We have a hedgehog box, to provide a safe home for wild hedgehogs.
We often do activities with the public, such as making bird feeders.
There are informative signs helping our visitors to identify different species of native wildlife, and giving them advice on how they can help.
