A DISABLED child got the rare chance of playing zoo keeper and getting up close and personal with the animals at a South Lakeland animal park.
Tyler Baines, 12, handled reptiles and got stuck in with helping clean out some of the cages and feeding the animals with one-to-one tuition at the Lakeland Wildlife Oasis, Milnthorpe.
Tyler, from Barrow, said: “We had a great time and I think holding the snake was the best bit. The one I held seemed to like me and the whole day was great fun.”
Tyler, who was involved in a road accident in 2006, suffers from mobility problems and is confined to a wheelchair.
But he was still able to enjoy the day with his nine-year-old brother Noah and sisters Katie, seven, Gracie, four, and two-year-old Maisie-Mae.
The Milnthorpe attraction’s charitable status means the Wildlife Oasis offers fun experiences for all the family with plenty of learning.
Keeper Nicola Stephenson said: “I always enjoy things like this and we get quite a lot of school groups coming here and they seem to have a good time.
“If we do things in a fun way then children go away with a whole new set of knowledge.”
Tyler’s dad Mark Baines said: “Towards the end Tyler had all the snakes round him and he was in and out of the cages.
“I really want to say what a great day we all had.”
l Keeper for a Day experiences are available any day of the week, but Lakeland Wildlife Oasis only takes one booking per day to ensure a one-to-one experience.
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