Animal magic

Yesterday I visited a zoo for the first time and felt quite apprehensive about it, as I am passionate about promoting the independence of wild animals I have always seen the lines of keeping them in a limited area in various shades of grey. However, I was also curious to see what this zoo was doing in terms of conservation and protection, and had heard lots of positives about the work going on there. I can honestly say that I left a huge part of my heart at Twycross; I felt a fierce connection with each new animal I got to know. I sensed playfulness, contentment and security in them as well as a strong sense of purpose, respect and commitment in the human beings caring for them. 

Here are a few of the many moments I enjoyed:

Visually, I was most in awe of the elephant trail, so beautifully and authentically constructed, with its own Ganesh temple at its heart. Although I have always liked elephants I had never understood their sheer grace until the moment I had the magical opportunity to observe them. Simply stunning.

I leave you with this little fellow,an endangered woolly monkey of the Amazon, stole my heart so completely. I am saving the pennies for an adoption package so I can go and visit him again and support the zoo's hard work.