Curraghs Wildlife Park

Ballaugh, Ramsey, Isle of Man IN7 5EA

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Opening Times

The Park is open from 10am to 6pm every day in the Summer season (Easter holidays to end October). Last entry is 1 hour before closure.

10 am to 4 pm on weekends only in winter except for school holidays when the Park is open on weekdays as well.

Admission Prices

Adult

£8.50

Child (3 - 16 years)

£5.50

Children under 3

Free

Concession

£6.00

Family (2 + 2)

£24.00

10% discount for visitors arriving by bus (show your bus ticket at reception).

7/14-day family tickets, group rates and season tickets also available; see zoo's website for details.

Description

Set in 26 acres on the edge of the Ballaugh Curraghs, the Wildlife Park is a haven for all sorts of wetland wildlife (Curraghs is a Manx word for the wet, boggy willow woodland typical of the area). The park is set out in areas where animals from the same country are usually grouped together. The enclosures are large and are designed with the animals natural habitat in mind. Apart from predators and certain other animals, species from the same geographical area are housed in a single enclosure, and visitors are able to walk among them. There are seven such areas in the Curraghs Wildlife Park.

The African Bush illustrates the wildlife of the seasonally flooded plains along the great rivers of East Africa, with species such as Grivet Monkeys, Marsh Mongooses, White and Pink-Backed Pelicans, Crowned Cranes, Egytptian Geese, and other waterfowl.

The Asian Swamp showcases the wetland habitats of the great rivers of Asia with Sika Deer, Red Pandas, Asian Short-Clawed Otters, crab-eating Macaques, White-Naped and Demoiselle Cranes, Red-Breasted Geese and other waterfowl.

The European Marsh highlights the drastic loss of habitat caused by the draining of the great European marshes, and features species such as Lynx, European Otters, Siberian Chipmunks, White Storks, and Eagle and Little Owls.

The Amazon Forest is one of the larger areas in the Park, as befits its theme of the vast river basin of the river Amazon, with its flooded forest and marshland. The species on show in this area. Include Agoutis, Capybaras, Coatis, Squirrel and Spider Monkeys, Red-Handed Tamarins, Spectacled Owls, King Vultures, Scarlet Ibis, Scarlet Macaws, and several species of parrots and waterfowl.

The American Trail illustrates the wetlands of North America with Canadaian Otters, Trumpeter Swans and Raccoons.

The Outback features a variety of species from Australia, both grassland and wetland, including Red-Necked and Parma Wallabies, Emus, Roseate Cockatoos, Cockatiels, Kookaburras, Straw-Necked and Australian White Ibis, and Magpie Geese and other waterfowl.

Finally, the Pampas displays the wildlife of the grasslands of Argentina, including Guanacos, Rheas, Maras, Chilean Flamingos, Humboldt Penguins, Coscoroba Swans, and other waterfowl.

The Ark is a living exhibition illustrating the effects of habitat loss on animal species, and the role of captive breeding and conservation. The enclosures contain representative species such as Cotton-Top Tamarins, Bali Starlings, Red-Eared Terrapins, Boa Constrictor, and Long-Eared Owls.

Also nearby is the Life on Islands exhibit, that explains how island animals respond to the threats they face. Species featured here include Rodrigues Island Fruit Bats, Red-Fronted and Ring-Tailed Lemurs, and a variety of waterfowl and other birds.

For the children there is the Close Beg farm area, with a variety of friendly animals. It also has an indoor toddler's play area, and another play area is just outside. There is also a further adventure play area for older children in another part of the Park. The Orchid Line, a miniature steam-powered railway, runs around the outside of the farm on most Sundays and Bank Holidays, and Saturdays too during the school summer holidays.

Official Website

www.gov.im/categories/leisure-and-entertainment/curraghs-wildlife-park/

(Opens in separate window)

Facilities

Car Park

Free

Eating

Lakeside Café, vending machine, ice-creams in summer, several picnic areas

For Kids

Baby changing facilities, buggy hire available, adventure playground, Close Beg Children's Farm and play barn

Special Needs

Free wheelchair hire, disabled toilets, the Park is largely accessible for wheelchair users

Restrictions

No dogs or unaccompanied children.

Attractions

Animal Collections

Mammals, Birds, Reptiles

Note: The animal pictures on this page are merely representative of this type of attraction; they do not mean that the animals can be found at this specific attraction.

Star Animals

Meerkats, European Beavers and Otters, Lynx, Wallabies, Parrots, vultures, Owls, Lemurs, Red Pandas, Capybaras, Penguins and many more

Special Attractions

Rainforest Theatre encounter shows on Sundays from Easter, and daily in the summer holidays.

The Ark; a living exhibition of the loss of animal species world-wide and on the Isle of Man.

Walk through enclosures to allow uninterrupted views of the animals, and nature trails.

Other Attractions

Miniature steam railway (weather permitting runs most Sundays and Bank holidays, and all weekend during the school holidays, at a small charge),

How To Get There:

By Car

Curraghs Wildlife Park is located in the north of the Island, on the A3 halfway between Ramsey and Kirk Michael. If coming from the Douglas area, a particularly scenic route is to take the A18 towards Snaefell, then turn left onto the A14 through Sulby Glen, one of the most attractive parts of the island. Turn left onto the A3, and the Park will be on the right after about 1 mile.

By Public Transport

By bus:

Routes 5 and 6 run between Douglas and Ramsey via Peel, and stop outside the Park. Special Sunday services also run to the Park from Ramsey.

By Manx tram:

A short distance from the railway terminus at Ramsey the tram connects with the bus services to the Wildlife Park. A special freedom ticket enables multiple use of the three Victorian rails systems and buses.

By coach:

Most coach operators offer trips to the Park

Data on this page last updated: Apr 13 2014

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