If your 2021 felt a wild ride at times, it was just that (with added teeth and claws) for Milnthorpe’s Lakeland Wildlife Oasis, whose weekly ‘Keeper Diary’ draws readers into the paddocks, pools and pandemonium of running a conservation zoo in a pandemic...

Remember if you can, the complicated ‘tier’ system of restrictions and semi-lockdowns we were all negotiating in January 2021. It feels like a lifetime ago, but with the North West plunged into Tier 4, the zoo took the proactive decision to shut the doors again.

A huge blow coming soon after the excitement of carefully reopening from Lockdown Two in December, it was however a highly responsible New Year resolution. Thanks to the latest scientific research, keepers knew that the virus could be passed between humans and primates like their marmosets and lemurs, and were determined to endanger neither.

Often described as “the little zoo with lots to do”, this is doubly true for the keepers and their never-ending jobs list! Like previous lockdowns, they stayed positive by investing in the zoo’s future, improving existing, and building new bespoke animal enclosures, and negotiating new arrivals to complement their conservation, education, and breeding programmes.

A ‘bubble’ of keepers ensured all animals were looked after, not just in food, comfort and healthcare. “The animals missed visitors just as much as the other way round, especially inquisitive ones like our meerkats, lemurs and marmosets,” says Zoo co-founder Jo Marsden.

“So the keepers walked, talked, and even danced along the front of the cages when they had a spare moment. They devised food-finding games and puzzles, and the new ‘armadillo assault course’ became a huge online hit!”

This enrichment also inspired some of the lockdown building projects. When the zoo started to reopen in April- in the same week they celebrated their 29th birthday with an extra level of gratitude- visitors were able to enjoy more close-up accessibility, visibility and interaction.

The surrounding glass walls of the huge new habitat-mimicking ‘meerkat palace’ ensured good views for everyone, while adventurous explorers could still tunnel right into the middle of the action, or sign up for individual ‘meet the animal’ sessions.

One of the projects was a new enclosure for lone male tamarin Mr Spencer. It was touch and go but the new quarters were competed just in time for the arrival of his new lady friend. We did not know what to call her at first, but he made the decision for us. Within a day they were like an old married couple, one not moving without the other, so, now they are Mr and Mrs Spencer.

Throughout lockdown and the slow, careful path to full reopening, the zoo never lost sight of its environmental and community focus, championing world environmental awareness days and spearheading direct action, like installing a community recycling hub for selected items including crisp packets in the zoo café.

As an educational charity, keepers conducted online Q&A sessions from behind closed doors with Lancaster’s Ripley School, while continuing with the zoo’s first dedicated onsite classroom.

Keepers were also key participants in community projects, happily getting their hands dirty with the ‘Great British Beach Clean’. Education officer Matt Carr gave up his warm bed to man local ‘toad crossings’ during their spring migrations, safeguarding thousands of amphibian lives.

Head keeper Neil Cook continued to open up conversations about mental health, challenging the zoo’s luxuriantly moustachioed emperor tamarin moneys throughout the recent ‘Movember’ challenge.

But it’s all about the animals, with many exciting new arrivals throughout lockdown and beyond. The new marine tanks are still working up to their full potential of curious and quirky creatures. In the Africa Drylands paddock, Dylan the dik dik proudly chaperones his two paramours, Cora and Delphie, with new birds brightening up the African aviary.

Some have arrived as part breeding programmes, such as characterful Gundi sisters (desert-dwelling rodents about the size of guinea pigs) Beyonce and Michelle and exciting recent arrivals, Scottish wildcats Thistle and Heather.

Keepers were kept busy with the patter of tiny paws, with ‘home births’ including fire salamanders, meerkats pups, and an adorable potoroo joey. Hugely popular armadillo twins Digger and Dumper were unveiled this autumn, born to zoo favourites Nessa and new arrival, lockdown lothario Dozer!

Tributes poured in for matriarch Perdy, who died age 22, one of the oldest fossas (enigmatic Madagascan tree-climbing carnivores) in captivity, with new arrival Mango due to continue her important conservation legacy.

Jo is keen to highlight the zoo’s two-legged contributors, too: “However dark some of our days in lockdown, the dedication, belief, and sheer hard work of our keepers never dimmed.

“We waved goodbye to Jack, our longstanding colleague and manager, this summer, but the educational role he’s gone on to speaks of the quality of staff we’ve nurtured up through the zoo, and we’re with him all the way. The zoo endures and exceeds thanks to the amazing teamwork of our fantastic keepers and brilliant volunteers, thank you all.”

With the zoo gearing up for a brighter 2022, Jo concludes: “And of course a huge thank you to our incredible visitors and supporters for their belief, donations and practical support, from generous funding to supermarket leftover donations.

“We’re just delighted that after worrying, cooped up times for everyone, our visitors can once again find excitement, relaxation, friendship and inspiration with our amazing animals, staff, and new facilities, today and hopefully for many tomorrows.”