Theme park goes wild for gold award
Posted on 21 April 2011
The North Yorkshire theme park has moved from Silver to Gold ranking thanks to a new pioneering partnership with the University of York, which has seen the launch of a conservation-focussed research institute.
The annual awards scheme provides Gold, Silver and Bronze awards to holiday parks, with inspectors looking at all aspects of park management from protection of plant and animal habitats to the efficient use of energy and recycling.
Professor David Bellamy was particularly impressed by the conservation work of the CIRCLE institute (Centre for the Integration of Research, Conservation and Learning), a jointly-funded venture between the University’s Environment Department and Flamingo Land, based at the theme park.
Ross Snipp, Zoo Manager at Flamingo Land, said: “Our partnership with a top ranking university through the CIRCLE institute makes us unique as there is no other holiday park in the UK with its own research facility of this kind.
“The award recognises both the hard work we have put into conservation awareness and the protection of habitats locally within the park, and our dedication to conserving endangered species on a global scale. Around 20 per cent of the zoo collection is at threat or extinct in the wild. The launch of the CIRCLE institute last year was a significant step forward for us, putting our conservation and research work onto a new level.”
The Gold Award emphasises the excellent work of our four Research Interns, who are contributing to local biodiversity and conservation
Dr Andy Marshall
University CIRCLE Research Interns have set up 45 bird nest boxes, including an owl box, and ringed birds and nest boxes in the park. They are also developing the park’s conservation areas, creating a two hectare wooded area and planting cornfield flowers to help maintain seed stocks.
The tree planting was part of a conservation partnership between the Woodland Trust and Flamingo Land, with 2,000 native trees planted on the site by park staff and volunteers from the local community and University.
Dr Andy Marshall, Director of Conservation at Flamingo Land and Lecturer at the University of York, said: “The Gold Award emphasises the excellent work of our four Research Interns, who are contributing to local biodiversity and conservation by working with theme park staff and the local community to improve the local environment. It is also a tribute to the many North Yorkshire residents who volunteer to help us.
“The role of the modern zoo is to educate the public and to conserve global biodiversity. At Flamingo Land we are doing this through our Udzungwa Forest Project, which involves working with local people and researchers in Tanzania to conserve threatened species and local habitats.”
The Gold Award was presented to the CIRCLE institute Research Interns at a special ceremony in Kenilworth, Warwickshire last month.
Notes to editors:
- A photo of CIRCLE institute Research Interns Nick Deere, Helen Phillips and Natasha Hambly receiving the Gold Award from Professor David Bellamy is available from the Press Office. Email pressoffice@york.ac.uk or phone 01904 322029.
- The CIRCLE institute (Centre for the Integration of Research, Conservation and Learning) was launched in October 2010 and is part of the University of York’s Environment Department based at Flamingo Land. For further information on the Environment Department visit www.york.ac.uk/environment.
- Flamingo Land is a North Yorkshire theme park, home to the UK’s most popular zoo (enjoyEngland.com) and the world’s steepest roller-coaster, “Mumbo Jumbo”. Flamingo Land’s slogan is “Wild animals, wilder rides”. Flamingo Land plays an active role in conservation and education both in the zoo and Tanzania, through the park’s Udzungwa Forest Project. For further information visit www.flamingoland.co.uk.
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