Paradise Park, Hayle

The two small-clawed otters here are brother and sister, and are at least eight years old.  At some point, small-claws were bred here, as this is where Chipz at Hunstanton Seal Sanctuary came from.

The pen is large, with many substrates, and is overlooked by the "Otter Pool Cafe".  The pool is large, and normally filled to within an inch of the top.  There are several holts, all off-exhibit, although the otters can be shut into them using big stones if some hazardous procedure is taking place, such as bleaching the pond.  Jill, the head keeper, is very knowledgeable about plants, and makes sure nothing poisonous grows in the enclosures.

The otters get rubber rings, balls and fishlollies, along with snails and anything else the keepers think might entertain them. The otters have also supplemented their diet with stolen maltesers, and added shredded cardigan to their bedding. 

As well as these otters, there are three large, fine North American River Otters in another pen nearby. 

Paradise Park is mainly a specialist parrot collection, but it is doing a good job with the otters.   There is a small amount of car parking.  The site is level, and paths are tarmacked.  As well as the cafe, there is a gift shop with lots of ideas for parrot toys, many of which otters like too.

The park is on the outskirts of Hayle, on the Helston road, and is signposted from the A30.  Hayle is about 20 miles southwest of Truro in Cornwall.

I last visited the park in October 2002.