Friends for life

Food & drink Animals

FRIENDS FOR FRIENDS FOR Life

Childhood interactions with animals are intrinsic to their appreciation and respect for all things living throughout their lives. We take a look at this special bond and how Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park provides countless ways for youngsters to befriend nature.

Research shows that humans’ innate interest in animals is biological; as a social species, we naturally tend to be attentive, caring and nurturing towards other creatures.

And what genetics have made us, experiences build on and develop, especially when they occur at an early age.

Children recognise the intrinsic value of animals – big or small. Whether it’s a pet hamster, cat or dog, a family of friendly ducks in the local lake, a cheeky woodland squirrel, curious farmyard pigs or exotic species in a wildlife park, children instinctively appreciate their importance in the world and are mesmerised by their presence.

Aside from the calming effect animals can have on children, it is thought that they also help them to build a sense of empathy and respect for all things nature. Valuing animals and appreciating fellow humans appears to go hand in hand.

Wild animals, in particular, are a source of great curiosity, awe and wonder. They build their own homes, have to find food for themselves, have super-powers like flying and swinging from trees, and tend to choose when they want to be seen – making their appearance even more special.

www.jimmysfarm.com When an animal invites a child into its world, they feel incredibly lucky and privileged, and more connected; as a result, their bond with nature develops.

Here at Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park, with more than 100 species and breeds to see, we know how much children benefit from their interaction with our animals – and our animals love it too!

Whether it’s exploring on a family visit, getting up close and personal during an animal experience, adopting one of our amazing creatures, or taking part in an educational workshop, there are an array of opportunities for children to develop a special relationship with wildlife and nature, as well as their knowledge about the environment, food and farming.

Animals

Photo by Wez Jones Photography

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Animals

Learning with Fun!

Education programme

Our education programme is designed to utilise the unique features of the farm and wildlife park to ‘Excite, Engage, Educate, and Enable’ everyone to ‘share the good life’ and connect with nature around them.

We are passionate about sharing our environment and knowledge, and believe that educating young people and providing good quality visits are vital for the future of farming, the natural environment and the world as a whole.

The programme caters for all ages and abilities, and is open to schools, colleges, and other groups to support learning appropriate to the curriculum. We can support a diversity of topics and study areas, and we may be able to adapt for specific needs.

Workshop visits

Our new educational workshops are linked to the national curriculum – and the focus is on having fun while learning at the same time!

From harnessing meet and greets that introduce children to animal names, to finding out about how to look after animals, to food provenance and waste, farming and conservation, to supporting GCSE Natural History studies, our workshops offer a wide range of topics for children to enhance their knowledge.

Led by experienced and trained staff, each workshop is for 10-30 students, but larger groups can be split into different workshops. Cost £8pp (includes an education backpack and a self-guided visit for time spent outside the workshop).

Day visit

If you would rather join us for a self-guided day, the fun learning doesn’t stop – join one of our public talks which are held throughout the day.

See the ‘Plan Your Day’ board on arrival to see what’s on offer each day. You will have access to our educational resources and activity book. Cost £6pp.

Special educational needs

We have an amazing variety of sights, sounds and smells to stimulate the senses and imagination.

For more information on our education programme or to book an educational activity, visit jimmysfarm.com/education/ or call 01473 604 206.

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Did you know?

Jimmy Doherty is the Chancellor of Writtle University College in Chelmsford, Essex, one of the oldest providers of specialist education in the UK ofering a range of land-based, environmental, animal, and sport courses.

Earlier this year, The Prince’s Foundation unveiled Food for the Future, a unique food education programme developed with Jimmy Doherty and Jamie Oliver, which aims to champion sustainability and combat food waste.

Adopt an Animal

You can form a special bond with an animal of your choice and play an active part in the important work we do here with an Animal Adoption.

All money raised through our adoptions goes straight back into caring for our animals and supporting future conservation of many different species. For more information and terms and

conditions, go to jimmysfarm.com/adopt-animal/

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Animals

Face to Face

Want to get up close and personal with one of our awesome animals? We offer a range of encounters where you can join one of our experienced and knowledgeable rangers in the animal enclosure of your choice.

You will get a chance to feed your chosen animal, provide enrichment and even groom or bathe it where possible.

Most of our experiences last 20-30 minutes, but please note that some experiences aren’t suitable for those in a wheelchair. For more information, visit our website at jimmysfarm. com/animal-experiences/ or email enquiries@jimmysfarm.com if you have any questions.

Captivating Capybaras Experience

Minimum age: 12 years Cost: £65 Get to know our rapidly growing capybara family, named after characters in the Disney film, Encanto! Feed them, give them a scratch and learn how they’ve adapted to spend a lot of time underwater. And now, you will also get the chance to see seven adorable pups!

Manic Meerkats & Tortoises Experience

Minimum age: 8 years Cost: £65 Meet our mob of mischievous meerkats in their new home with their friends, the sulcata tortoises! Led by our notorious escape artist and TV star Steve McQueen, this crazy bunch of South African troublemakers expect you to bring along their favourite snacks!

Reptile Madness Experience

Minimum age: 8 years Cost: £55 Crazy about all things scaly? Bathe the largest tortoise of Africa, the sulcata tortoise, or face your fears handling some of our brilliant snakes and lizards. The amazing climax to this sensational experience is helping to feed our incredible Morelet’s crocodiles!

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Animals

VIP EXPERIENCE

Duration: 1hr Minimum age: 12 years Cost: £150

Looking for the best way to experience Jimmy’s behind the scenes? Our VIP Experience gives you an hour of exclusive time with a ranger meeting different animals of your choice, feeding them, stroking them and giving you a truly unique day out. Every experience will be different and they will always be awesome!

Anteater Antics Experience

Minimum age: 12 years Cost: £65 Meet one of our strangest residents, who looks like he was put together by committee! But Basil has such a gentle nature and is sure to capture your heart – and show off his impressive 60cm tongue while you feed him his favourite treats!

Tapir Tummy Rubs Experience

Minimum age: 12 years Cost: £65 Discover South America’s largest land mammal – our gorgeous lowland tapirs, Teddy and Tip Tap, love nothing more than a good chin scratch or belly rub… especially if you’re feeding them treats at the same time!

Farmyard Friends Experience

Minimum age: 8 years Cost: £55 Help to feed the playful pygmy goats, who love human attention and a good scratch. Meet our rare breed piglets and hear all about the work we do here to support them. The ever-hungry sheep love making friends – and you could even meet Bruce, our beautiful bull!

Small Furries Experience

Minimum age: 4 years Cost: £55 Designed for our younger adventurers, this experience includes the cute and cuddlier animals here at Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park. Does your little one want a pet – if so, why not come and meet our small furries to help you decide?

Donkey Experience

Minimum age: 8 years Cost: £55 Would you like to help give our donkeys a good groom? Lily, Peggy and Indie love being pampered and spoiled, so join us in making sure they get the TLC they deserve. Donkeys are highly intelligent and naturally affectionate, even if they might appear a bit shy at first.

Charming Camels Experience

Minimum age: 12 Cost: £55 Fancy an animal experience even if it gives you the hump? Then you must meet our ‘A Team’ Bactrian camels – parents, Alice and Arthur, and their new calf, Audrey! Feed them and learn some of their funny ways!

Lemur Heights Experience

Minimum age: 12 Cost: £65 Meet our group of ring-tail and black and white ruffed lemurs in one of our newest experiences! Hand-feed this inquisitive bunch as they climb on your shoulders. One of our rangers will teach you more about these endangered animals and their habitat in the wild.

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