We remain closed to visitors but the sun shines and whilst being without income at the worst time of year as it’s the start of the tourist season, in a weird way this downtime has given us chance to regroup and build as an even stronger team.

It really feels like we will come back fighting and bigger and better than before!

This week saw the first birthday of reindeer Cinnamon.

Cinnamon came to the zoo with his brother from another mother, Treacle, in October 2019.

Their mums lived with them until March before returning to their home once the boys had settled in – which they certainly have!

On Saturday we joined Kim and Michael in doing the rounds to vaccinate our big cats - tigers, lions, jaguars, snow leopards all have a vaccination just like your pet house cat do to protect them against feline panleukopenia and feline leukaemia, respiratory diseases caused by feline rhinotracheitis virus, feline calicivirus and feline Chlamydophila felis.

So just how do you vaccinate a lion!?

Well, you need to be an awesome shot, just like our Kim, and have a good deep breath as the cats are all vaccinated with a blow dart.

Our blow dart is licensed, just like any other firearm, only to be used by trained and designated people.

You also need some nerves of steel because like little Smokey, the cats really don’t like being vaccinated – and they have long memories – as we found out when we started with African Lion Chevelle.

Let’s just say she is a little bit feisty and likes to let you know it!

Finally this week, we celebrated three years since we got our very own licence to operate Safari Zoo. It’s been a turbulent three years, starting with a period of recovery and trust building but all in all, we wouldn’t change a thing. Head on over to our blog for the thoughts on the last three years from some of our team