A WILDLIFE education programme at Shepreth Wildlife Park is proving a hit with visitors. The park has run a wildlife competition called Ringo s Treasure Trail since Easter, in which thousands of youngsters took part. Wildlife park owner Jake Willers said:

A WILDLIFE education programme at Shepreth Wildlife Park is proving a hit with visitors.

The park has run a wildlife competition called Ringo's Treasure Trail since Easter, in which thousands of youngsters took part.

Wildlife park owner Jake Willers said: "The idea behind the competition was to encourage children and their families to learn more about the park's animals.

"Every animal has its own character and quirky traits.

"There is so much that they can learn from the animals, things that you wouldn't believe.

"We designed a competition so that they could learn while having fun."

The treasure trail involved children answering a series of questions.

Each answer turned into a clue to find out where the next question was hidden.

Jake added: "The treasure hunt made the children use the site and look at the animals in more detail.

"It made them read about the animals and gave them a better understanding.

"And it helped with their geography and literacy skills."

Children hunted high and low for clues and answers, and explored the tropical house, pets area, monkey island, and the big cat enclosure.

The winners of the competition were drawn by the park's resident emu Homer, and Boomer the black and white lemur.

Kieron Bailey of Orwell won a portable DVD, and Joshua and Aimee Barkway of Stevenage won a TV and DVD system.

Jake said: "The feedback from the programme has been fantastic and we will definitely keep it running.

"It's an educational package with so many benefits and it seems to be very popular. Everyone involved has had fun, and it gives families a reason to return by making their visit to the park that bit different.