Chance to meet secretive animals

Some of Britain's most secretive animals can be seen at the park

Secretive animals are the theme of a "mammal encounter" weekend at a woodland discovery park in Kent.

Visitors are being offered the chance to meet hand-reared tawny owls, dormice, water voles, pole cats and hedgehogs at Wildwood, near Canterbury.

"Most people's experience with these amazing animals is a flash of fur as they run for cover," a spokesman said.

He said the day was a chance to show off Britain's "wildlife treasures" to the public.

The park is home to other wildlife species that once lived in this country, including the red squirrel and the wild boar.

Experts at the park have rescued and re-established colonies of water voles and have also pioneered the use of ancient wild horses to restore nature reserve.

The trust has also worked to re-establish the beaver here, an animal which helps to manage water ways and maintain the existence of other types of animals, plants and insects.