Families enjoy open day at Accidental Zoo

SNAKE HANDLING was one of the star attractions at The Accidental Zoo’s third annual open day.

Pictured at Sunday’s Accidental Zoo open day are Soren, 8, and Gilby, 4, with parents Stephane and Amanda Brun. (Pictures by Andrew Le Poidevin, 29507109)

More than 1,000 people got a rare opportunity to get up close to a variety of animals at the registered charity’s Rue de la Generotte, Castel, premises on Sunday.

Stefane and Amanda Brun were there for the second year running with sons Soren, 8, and Gilby, 4.

‘The boys like all the animals, particularly the reptiles and tarantulas,’ said Mrs Brun.

‘There isn’t another zoo in Guernsey where they can touch the animals and get up close to them.’

Samuel Cregeen, 7, feeds a lamb. (29507117)7)

Soren said he had enjoyed handling a snake and said it was very scaly.

‘There is a lot of things that can startle a snake so you have to be very careful,’ he said.

Gilby had stroked a calf and enjoyed sitting on a tractor.

Bertie Reader, 4, strokes a snake. (29507105)

Charlotte and Ryan de Guilcher set The Accidental Zoo up in early 2019.

‘It’s important for children to make a connection with animals and wildlife and hopefully they will take it through their life,’ said Mrs Le Guilcher.

‘Since we became a charity we need to raise funds and things like this are very important to us, so we are grateful for people’s support. We are able to work with Education to run activities to promote health and wellbeing, which is the purpose of the charity.’

Those attending included hairdresser Ilze Sproge, 37, partner Janis Lucans, 38, and their children Izabella, 8, and Oliver, 6.

Ilze Sproge and Janis Lucans, pictured with Oliver, 6, and Izabella, 8, had enjoyed the afternoon looking at the animals. (29507113)

Miss Sproge said it was amazing there were such places to visit in Guernsey and that it was lucky to have such good weather.

Izabella liked the chickens and the snakes and she was hoping to handle a snake when the queue got shorter.

Oliver said his favourite animal had been an iguana, which had a foot missing.

Photographer Claire Reader, 36, husband Andy, 37, a physiotherapist, and children Grace, 7, and Bertie, 4, moved to Guernsey seven months ago.

‘This is a chance for us to get out of the house, find new places to visit, and meet people,’ said Mrs Reader.

‘The children are completely obsessed with animals. This has been done really well and there are many experiences in terms of what they can do or see.’