Easter is often associated with new arrivals and this year is no exception with the recent births of three wolverines at Wild Place Project in Bristol.
The kits – a boy and two girls – are spending much of their time in the nests that their mother, Alice, has made for them. However, patient visitors have been catching glimpses of the tiny trio when she occasionally carries them outside. They’re Alice’s second litter, following the birth of female Eunice in 2022 who has recently turned one.
The family of five, which includes father Novo, live in the attraction’s Bear Wood exhibit, which is also home to European brown bears and wolves, as well as a family of four lynx.
“They were born around a month ago, however mum has kept them hidden inside the nestbox where she has been feeding them and keeping them warm until they were strong enough to come outside,” said Joe Norman, senior animal keeper at Wild Place Project.
“Alice is a great mum – she’s very attentive and allows them to roam away from her, to help them grow in independence. Novo is a pretty hands-off dad, he just lets Alice get on with it, which is normal for the species.”
Wolverines are the largest of the weasel family and can eat prey almost double their size. They, along with the other animal residents in Bear Wood, were once native in UK woodlands before deforestation and hunting wiped out population numbers.
The Bear Wood exhibit at Wild Place Project educates people on how human behaviours impact the survival of native species – transporting visitors back to 1000 BC. While wolverine, bears, lynx and wolves no longer exist in UK woodlands, many native species currently call it home including bats, mice, hedgehogs, birds and newts.
Bristol Zoological Society – the charity that owns and runs Wild Place Project – has a dedicated native species team who continually monitor the woodlands within Bear Wood – conducting annual surveys and observing footage from camera traps.
There’s lots going on at Wild Place Project for those visiting this Easter. As well as the births of the wolverine, Wild Place Project has also welcomed a new animal resident – Drummer, the ostrich. Guests can come and see Drummer and the kits as well as take part in a special Easter trail around the site. Eight giant eggs have been hidden with clues on, helping people to uncover the mystery Easter-themed word.
The trail is expected to be popular and people are advised to book their tickets online, in advance at www.wildplace.org.uk. Online bookings made at least a day in advance get 10% off.
The Book of Wilding: A Practical Guide to Rewilding, Big and Small
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