Visit today

mazfc

mazfc

Well-Known Member
Visit today Birmingham Nature Centre

I have just got back from a fantastic visit to the BIrmingham Nature Centre I wouldn't have heard of it without zoochat, so I would have missed a treat.

I did the keeper experience today and it was great, fun and super value for money at £80. The staff were all fantastic and I couldn't have been made more welcome.

They have a great collection of tamarins and lemurs plusthe squirrel monkeys too, and I got to help look after all of them. I loved their enclosures, many have been recently revamped and are looking very naturalistic and are of really good sizes. I spent quite a while watching and all the species were making full use of their spaces.

After my experience I stayed on and took in the rest of the centre. Everything was very busy. Loved the red pandas and the pied tamerin free roaming area. I was also rather taken with the Moonlight area. Saw all the animalsin there, in fact the slow loris was stretching right in front of the glass for ages (mocking me for not having night vision on my camera I'm sure). I also saw the sloth helping herself to some grub as well. Really enjoyable to watch.

The lynx are stunning, never seen the species so clearly before. Very majestic. The only no show was the mouse lemur, but I'll get it next time.

The new enclosures are almost done, the staff have worked incredibly hard to design and build them, they are naturalistic, and attractive to people and animals too. I look forward to returning when the occupants arrive.

After my visit I'm in love with place. Les, Colin and the staff have my admiration for their hard work, and my thanks for giving me such a great visit. I'll be back soon for sure.
 
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I was wondering if they did a keeper experience, and now I have the answer, where did you find the details please so I can look into it?
 
Glad you enjoyed it, as a primate fanatic it's definitely worth a look.
It's a hidden gem, right in the middle of Birmingham! Who'd have thought it? :p
I wasn't aware of the keeper experience, what does it entail?
 
chizlit said:
I was wondering if they did a keeper experience, and now I have the answer, where did you find the details please so I can look into it?
Click to expand...

I emailed the centre directly and arranged it. It costs £80 for 4 hours shadowing a keeper. It's great fun and very informative. Super value for money. I'd highly recommend it. It also includes your choice of gift from the gift shop, certificate and info on the animals you've seen.

Email Address: nature_centre@birmingham.gov.uk
 
Thanks for that, but strange that they dont advertise it as they are missing out on a valuable money source. At £80 that seems very good value.
 
if you google "Birmingham Nature Centre keeper experience" the only hit you get is this thread. They don't have a proper website either (it really doesn't tell you much more than where it is and how much to get in). As chizlit says it does seem like they are just doing themselves out of additional income.
 
I've visited with people who are regular zoo-goers but have never been before. They all say the same thing, it's a good small collection. And it keeps getting better.
 
If I remember correctly I think Birmingham City Coucil stopped there info page on BNC to save money, not a good idea IMO. It could actually be a money earner for the city if they promote it more and make it bigger when finance allows.
 
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