Sewerby Hall and Gardens has become the new home for two alpacas and four goats from Harewood House, just in time for the half term holidays.
The zoo has welcomed two male alpacas, Zebedee and Zucchini, as well as four goats named Archie, Dill, Minty and Rosemary.
The animals came from Harewood House, Leeds, after the venue’s farming experience closed. John Pickering, head zookeeper at Sewerby Hall and Gardens, arranged the move with the staff at Harewood House and a collection of the animals was organised.
John Pickering said: “We have had a strong working relationship with Harewood House over the years, so when Harewood got in touch to say that their farm experience was having to close, we were more than happy to help out and offer a home to some of their animals.”
The alpacas will be in a stable in the Zoo but have already been out in the paddock they will share with the resident llamas, and have been settling in well. Llamas and alpacas are both a type of South American Camelid so share similar characteristics and can often be seen together in the wild.
The goats are an elderly family and so they will be settling into their own paddock in the zoo to get used to their new surroundings and to remain together in their strong family unit.
Head zookeeper John said: “The average lifespan of these goats is ten plus years, so we know that they are in their twilight years. So, we wanted to offer them a lovely retirement home together here at Sewerby Hall.”
Both the alpacas and the goats have settled in well since their arrival and can be seen by zoo visitors now.
The new arrivals are the latest addition to the exciting array of activities at Sewerby Hall and Gardens during the February half term holidays.
From Saturday, 10 to Sunday 18 February, visitors can enjoy the house, gardens and zoo.
For music lovers, an enchanting Orangery Concert featuring Robert Markham will take place on Sunday, 11 February at 1.30pm, included in the admission price. There will also be an Orangery concert on Sunday, 18 February at 1.30pm, featuring Elizabeth Charlesworth. This will be an afternoon of Classical / Light Classical music.
For animal lovers, there will be a “Meet the Hoof Stock,” session on Friday, 16 February, allowing visitors to get up close and personal with some of the fascinating hoofed residents of the zoo and learn interesting facts from the zookeepers.
There will also be daily feeding times for some of the most popular animals:
Lemurs at 2pm
Coatis 2.15pm
Penguins 3pm
Hoof Stock 3.30pm.
The zoo will be open from 10am to 3.30pm daily.
The house will be open from 11am-3.30pm daily throughout the half term, offering interactive learning activities for children, plus a chance to see the ‘Mortimer’ Exhibition in the West Wing Gallery. The exhibition celebrates the life and times of John Robert Mortimer, East Riding of Yorkshire’s prolific antiquarian, proto-archaeologist, author, and curator.
Last admission times to the house and the zoo will be at 3pm.
The gardens will also be open to explore from 9.30am to 3.30pm. The Clock Tower Café will also be open 10am-4pm.
Standard admission charges apply – admission tokens can be purchased from the Welcome Centre for the house and zoo. A visit to the gardens only is free of charge.
Councillor Barbara Jefferson, East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s Cabinet member for coastal communities and heritage, said: “Come along this half term for a great day out at Sewerby Hall and Gardens, where there is always something for everyone. This is just the start of what promises to be another exciting year for this iconic venue.”
For full opening times and to plan a visit, see: www.sewerbyhall.co.uk/
