The Curraghs Wildlife Park has many loyal visitors from the Isle of Man and further afield – but recently welcomed a mother and son from the Netherlands who came to the Island specially to visit the attraction.

Justin and Femke Brendel signed up for some of the park’s ‘Animal Experiences’ – an enjoyable way for visitors to get close to the park’s ‘residents’.

Kathleen Graham, General Manager, said: ‘It wasn’t until we got talking to Justin and Femke that we discovered they’d come all the way from Zaandam in the Netherlands just to visit our park for the weekend. We were honoured that they had made such a journey.

‘Justin is a zoo enthusiast and regularly visits zoos and wildlife parks in his home country, but he had a dream about visiting an island zoo, found us on the internet and decided that he really wanted to come here.

‘He and his mum had a great time while here, doing a number of ‘Animal Experiences’, meeting the coati, red panda, meerkats and lemurs. They liked the open and natural feel of the park and spent their second day on the Island looking for wild wallabies and just enjoying the surroundings. They said they would definitely be back.’

David Cretney MLC, Member of the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture responsible for the park, said: ‘Although we are proud of the park and we attract many tourists holidaying here, it isn’t often someone comes to the Isle of Man just to visit us.

‘Justin and his mum left a lovely review on Trip Advisor, too, spreading the word about the park further.’

Justin said: ‘I have always wanted to be a zookeeper and I love animals and nature. I had a great time at the park. It is very green and the layout is beautiful. The keepers were friendly and getting up close to the animals was a brilliant experience.’

The park, in Ballaugh, is open seven days a week during the summer from 10am to 6pm (last admission 5pm). Individual and family tickets and annual memberships can be purchased online via www.curraghswildlifepark.im. 

‘Animal Experiences’ include the chance to learn more about a keeper’s job and get close to and feed penguins, lemurs, owls, snakes, tapirs, meerkats, red panda and coati. They cost from ?30.

Photo - Justin enjoying ‘Animal Experiences’.