Hunters of the Sky Cleared For Take-off At Longleat
29th July 2011
Image courtesy of http://www.warminsterpeople.co.uk
Created in partnership with the award-winning Hawk Conservancy Trust, ‘Hunters of the Sky’ was officially opened this week. Showcasing birds of prey with amazing flying skills including vultures, eagles, hawks, kites, owls and falcons. Longleat Safari & Adventure Park Chief Executive, David Bradley and Hawk Conservancy Trust Curator, Andy Hinton were on hand to cut the ribbon and welcome the first visitors.
Taking place in a purpose-built 500-seater outdoor arena, the new show features a powerful musical accompaniment and culminates in an extraordinary finale; recreating a dramatic African savannah scene.
Visitors experience the thrill as a falcon stoops at over 100 miles an hour, feel a vulture’s wings swoop just above your head, marvel at a carousel of kites and witness the sheer spectacle of the majestic eagle taking flight.
Longleat’s Steve Mytton said: “This is definitely unlike any birds of prey display that anyone will have seen before. To have these awesome birds literally flying just above your head is extraordinary.
“It’s a truly stunning mixture of drama and high excitement and we’re delighted to be working with the Hawk Conservancy Trust who are renowned for their expertise and commitment to conservation.
“As well as providing an unforgettable thrill for the whole family, the shows also offer a fascinating insight into some of the planet's most incredible hunters and highlights the vital need to help conserve them in the wild,” he added.
Each show features a different cast of birds with every performance highlighting specific aspects of their behaviour.
Andy Hinton, Curator for the Hawk Conservancy Trust, explains: “All the birds in the display will be flying free and this is definitely a show visitors to Longleat won’t have seen before.
“Each bird has his or her own character and personality which is what makes every show unique.
“There is Sirius our caracara bird. He’s a problem-solving raptor who likes to pick washing from a line, Pacardi the African white back vulture who is nature’s answer to a dustbin and Cavalli our Verreux eagle who likes to scare our audience by swooping so low over them they can feel the downdraft from his wings!”
- ‘Hunters of the Sky’ will be taking place up to three times daily throughout the summer holidays. Click here for further information