Chance to fawn over baby deer and penguins at Lotherton this summer

Following the incredible popularity of Lotherton's deer park tours last year, they are making a return for 2024, along with an exciting new VIP penguin encounter.

The group of Humboldt penguins at Lotherton's Wildlife World conservation zoo has always been a popular attraction, and now guests can reserve a special experience to get a close look at them.

Visitors can meet Wobble, Bilbo, and their friends at the brand-new pool where groups of four people can take part in feeding time. After giving them their dinner, guests can watch the animals both on land and in the water from the viewing platform.

A knowledgeable animal caretaker will be available to answer any questions about Humboldt penguins or other interesting species at the estate.

You can visit the penguins on weekends and during school breaks.

Also coming back for the school break are the tractor rides in the estate's deer park, giving guests the opportunity to venture out among the herd and admire the amazing animals up close.

Every journey on Lotherton's custom tractor trailer can accommodate up to 30 guests, who will have the opportunity to discover fascinating information about the largest native mammal in Britain and its way of life. These tours are offered on weekdays and certain weekends during the summer vacation period.

Since the 1980s, red deer have been residing in the Aberford attraction and living in a deer park that is carefully looked after by the estate. This year, the herd is larger than ever, with a high number of baby deer, some of which are as young as 10 weeks old.

Mark Scott, the estate's general manager at Lotherton, announced that due to the overwhelming interest last year, they have made the decision to offer tours once again this summer.

We are excited to offer the deer tour and penguin encounter as they offer special and intimate animal interactions that visitors wouldn't experience elsewhere.

Council member Mohammed Rafique, who oversees climate, energy, environment, and green space for Leeds City Council, mentioned that Lotherton is a beautiful place to visit with a diverse range of wildlife, including emus, cranes, Arthur the tapir, and critically endangered Visayan warty pigs. It serves as an educational destination for families to learn about these incredible animals and how we can all contribute to their protection and conservation in the environment.

The guided walks through the deer park and the chance to interact with the penguins offer special experiences for guests, and we are happy to provide them. These activities will help us raise important funds to protect and care for these animal populations.

"Our program for sponsoring penguins, which we introduced last year, has been a big hit, and we're excited for these new opportunities to be just as successful."

You have the option to book the deer park tours and penguin experience as extras when you purchase your admission ticket at https://museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk/lotherton/whats-on-at-lotherton/. This will come at an extra cost.