Emus to Iguanas at Home in Paradise Nature Park
By Rekke Editorial
Paradise Nature Park is set in five acres of lush tropical garden and plays host to creatures of land, sea and air from around the world.
Come and discover familiar and exotic animals and a range of rare breeds all living in this beautiful environment found nestled in Christ Church, Barbados. Perhaps the self-guided tour and daily talks introduce you to this natural world. If you are feeling adventurous, you can even handle a python or meet a giant Madagascar hissing cockroach!
Red footed tortoises are among the most captivating of the species, although native to South America, they are found in the Caribbean. They are medium sized tortoises, with dark brown/ black shells with lighter yellow scute centres, (scutes are the hexagonal sections on top of the shell). However, their defining and most striking feature is the vibrant red or orange scales on top of their legs, head and tail. Red footed tortoises are also surprisingly active and curious creatures making them a delight to see!
Iguanas, despite their fearsome features, looking rather like a dinosaur, are in fact herbivores; they like nothing better than dark green leafy vegetables for dinner! They are a medium sized reptile, native to Central and South America and the Caribbean, having unique appearances, colours and adaptations. They could live almost anywhere in the world, but they do like a tropical climate. Iguanas are intelligent, good swimmers and fast-moving, with some being able to outrun humans.
One of the most fascinating things about iguanas is that they have a ‘third eye’ which responds to light levels and so may help them detect predators from above.
Emus are native to Australia but are found all over the world. They live in a variety of habitats, ranging from open arid plains to tropical woodlands. Emus are the second-largest living bird, cannot fly, but are very fast on land! It is their blueish heads, fluffy feathers and big beady eyes give them a quirky, quizzical look. As they have very good eyesight and hearing as well as being very agile, their predators find them difficult to catch!
Pygmy goats are inquisitive animals; they are great climbers and jumpers as well as being very sociable and their small size makes them ideal for petting zoos. As all goats, they tend to eat just about anything!
Miniature horses and donkeys – who couldn’t fall in love with them? They are companiable, often making good therapy animals. Their short stature and usually patient temperament make them ideal for children to be around.
KuneKune pigs are thought to have been introduced into New Zealand in the early 19th century and come in a range of colours. They are the smallest breed of pigs, delightful, placid animals that like human company making them ideal as pets. In the 1970’s these pigs became very nearly extinct but for the work of two wildlife park owners who rescued 18 KuneKune pigs in New Zealand to breed them. In 1992 some arrived in the UK and were bred to increase the genetic variation, hence the wide range of colours, and to protect the species in case of disease in one country. Today they can be found across Europe, the Americas and in the Caribbean. They are known for being intelligent, playful and affectionate, communicating to others through wagging their tails and wiggling their ears!
Plant lovers will also enjoy the enchanting orchid house and an orchard of tropical fruits, including pineapples, dragon fruit, rare bananas and vanilla beans.
By night, Paradise Nature Park transforms into a magnificent function and wedding venue; the backdrop of the tropical gardens creating an air of enchantment and relaxation. The internationally acclaimed chef Michael Hinds, formerly of Sandy Lane Hotel, can cater to your every need to help create the perfect event.
Praying Hands Bananas
In the Orchid House
All lit up for your special event!