It was a chance meeting at the recently ended Staycations Expo, which had me bubbling up with anticipation as I drove up a hill at Lyons Estate one hot Sunday morning. I was so excited about what I was about to discover, that I didn’t give much thought to the blazing sun.

Dave Joseph is the general manager of my new find. The Wadadli Animal Nature Park is a seven year labour of love for the former West Indies and Leeward Islands cricketer. The miniature zoo is spread across 10 acres of rich green land, and is maintained by Dave, an experienced farmer. The 50-minute walk is lead by a wide stone-lined path, expanded with flowers and fruit trees that take you right around the park, finishing where you started.

I had so much fun eating guinep, picked by Dave’s friendly assistant Ronald Richards, as we walked and viewed the animals. The lone monkey in his cage, gave me quite a bit of enjoyment. He had the most amusing facial expressions, and had me in stitches when he stopped eating to draw closer to see what I was writing in my notebook. They peacocks stood proudly and pranced around daintily, as if they were being judged in a pageant competition.

I was very taken back that I was on my homeland looking at a deer face to face. Dave saw my expression and remarked, “People leave Antigua and go elsewhere to deer. I have them right here.” The lilywhite fur of the rabbits boasted of the sort of kind care the animals received. Cows, horses, fowls, goats and sheep are regular sights on our island, but I loved petting them as they reveled in all the attention.

The iguanas played hide-n-go-seek, as their skin colour blended so well with their surroundings. The ducks and geese congregated in and around the fish pond that Dave constructed. They made loud funny noises as if they were in an argument. There were also birds, and pretty multi-coloured parrots singing sweet songs, that made my walk even more pleasurable.

With bathrooms, and a soon to be opened restaurant, it seems as though Dave has thought about everything to help make anyone’s visit to the park enjoyable. The highlight I must say was trying to make out the inscription of a grave that is located onsite. A woman named Rebecca, who was 70 years old when she died, makes the land her resting place since her burial there in 1811. There were also historical artifacts; a rusty cane cutter, as well as a stone none to sharpen other items. As you make your journey to the end you can look to the west and see Betty’s Hope. I held my breath as I took in the vision of the mills as well as Collins and Gilberts Estate. It was a picture right off a postcard.

I loved my visit to the park, and I am even more excited to go back. There will soon be a giant-sized aquarium occupying the end of the walk, and erected displays that will educate visitors about all the animals. Dave is also hoping to construct a gift shop that will have T-shirts, caps and mugs on sale to help commemorate your visit. A children's mini-fishing tournament to be held at the fish pond is an event to look forward to.

Wadadli Animal Nature Park has the ability to be around for years. More animal species from overseas will be soon added to the park family. The smell of nature and the harmonic sounds of the animals are more than enough encouragement for anyone, all at a cost to locals of EC$10 for children and EC$20 for adults. So take time out of your busy schedule and visit the park. And when you go, remember to see, touch, explore.

Enjoy a virtual tour of the park and have a view at our photography gallery.

If you would like to visit Wadadli Animal Nature Park, feel free to call Dave at 779-2895/783-9776. Or email him at wadadli_park@hotmail.com