Alameda Wildlife Conservation Park

Alameda Wildlife Conservation Park
One of six featured Cotton-topped tamarins
36.130576°N 5.350263°W / 36.130576; -5.350263
Date opened	2002
Location	Gibraltar
No. of animals	128
No. of species	36
Website	alamedawildlifepark.webs.com

The Alameda Wildlife Conservation Park (AWCP) is a small wildlife Park situated in Gibraltar's Botanic Gardens.

History

The Alameda Wildlife Park began in 1994 as a collection of parrots, tortoises and monkeys all confiscated from illegal traders who were passing through Gibraltar. The local Customs authorities handed these animals to the Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society (GONHS). In 1996 the Alameda Miniature Golf course was cleared after many years of neglect and modified into a small conservation park, again entirely through volunteer help.

Today

Although the main purpose of the Wildlife Conservation Park was to house confiscated animals, it became apparent that, if finished properly it could also be open to the public to make people aware not only about illegal animal trade but also about local wildlife conservation. The AWCP has also became important for the care of native species that are considered for future re-introduction to the Upper Rock Nature Reserve, such as the Red Fox, the Raven and the Barbary Partridge.

The AWCP has become an important educational resource for local schools, helping to raise awareness of not only the rich local biodiversity but also of wider conservation issues.

Entrance Information

The park is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. all the Year except Good Friday, National Day (10th of September)and Christmas Day.

The entrance fee is: £2/adult and £1.5/child or O.A.P. (They take EUROS) The entrance fee is used to cover general maintenance, food bills and veterinarian expenses.

Also available: Annual Family Pass (2 adults and 2 children) for £15

Species in the Park

- Reptiles

   -Green Iguana
   -Spur-thighed Tortoise
   -Terrapin
   -Hermanns Tortoise
   -Snapping Turtle

- Mammals

   -Prairie Dog
   -Barbary Macaque
   -Pig Tailed Macaque
   -Long Tailed Macaque
   -Cotton-topped Tamarin
   -Prevost Squirrel
   -Egyptian Fruit Bat
   -Vietnamese Potbellied Pig
   -Asian Short-clawed Otter
   -Rabbit
   -Masked Dormice

- Birds

   -African Grey Parrot
   -Patagonian Conure
   -Yellow Fronted Amazon
   -Orange-winged Amazon
   -Red Lory
   -Black Lory
   -Monk Parakeet
   -Mitred Conure
   -Sulphurcrested Cockatoo
   -Raven
   -Senegal Parrot
   -Free Indian Peafowl

Events

The Park organize two Open Days a year in May and in October. Others events are offer by the Alameda Wildlife Conservation Park (visit the website).

See also

• Gibraltar Botanic Gardens
• List of mammals of Gibraltar
• List of birds of Gibraltar
• List of reptiles and amphibians in Gibraltar