Introduction

Welcome to Tropical Birdland’s Meerkat Experience. By booking and participating in this experience, you agree to abide by the following terms and conditions. Please read them carefully.

Booking and Payment

• Tropical Birdland Meerkat Experiences MUST be pre-booked and we do advise booking well in advance to avoid disappointment
• All bookings must be made through our official website or authorised agents and will be available on selected dates according to availability.  Places are booked on first come, first served basis.  Please do not assume your experience is booked until you have received your booking confirmation from us.

• Full payment is required at the time of booking to secure your spot.
• Upon successful booking, a confirmation email will be sent to you with all necessary details.
• When the duration of the Meerkat Experience is mentioned / advertised, this is an approximate indication and may differ or alter slightly on the day of your booked experience.
• Experiences must be booked and taken within 12 months of purchase.  Extension fees will apply.

Cancellations and Refunds

• All Meerkat experiences are strictly non-refundable or transferable.
• Under exceptional circumstances and at Tropical Birdland discretion, the date of the experience can be changed.  Changes are subject to availability, can only be done once and will incur an administration fee.
• Exceptional circumstances include serious ill health, bereavement and pregnancy, jury service, mechanical breakdown or severe travel delays (documented proof may be required). They do not include holidays or other non-emergency commitments.
• Cancellations made on the day will result in the loss of the experience with no refunds / rebooking allowed.
• Tropical Birdland reserves the right to change or cancel any booked Meerkat experience for reasons such as extreme/severe weather conditions or animal welfare – under these circumstances we will endeavour to notify you as soon as possible and an option to reschedule will be provided. Tropical Birdland cannot cover travel, accommodation or any other associated costs if the scheduled date is cancelled.

Participation Requirements

• Meerkat experiences are suitable for 5 years and over however children aged 10 years must be accompanied by an adult aged 16 years and over taking part in the experience.
• Participants under the age of 16 years must be accompanied on site by an adult who holds a valid entrance ticket or holds a valid Tropical Birdland membership but this adult does not have to take part and view from the spectator area.
• Meerkat experiences include entry to Tropical Birdland and you are welcome to spend the rest of your day in our park enjoying our birds and animals once your experience has finished.
• Additional (non-participating) guests will require a valid day ticket which can be purchased on the gate on the day.
• Unfortunately, late arrivals will result in a shorter experience.
• The Meerkat experience will be run in two breakfast sessions of 25 minutes each daily – one at 9am and the other at 9.30am (before the park opens at 10am).
• Each session accommodates a maximum of 3 people.
• All participants are required to always follow the instructions of the staff.
• Unfortunately, due to the Meerkat experience involving the possibility of crouching down and being seated on logs to feed and interact with the animals, individuals in wheelchairs or with low mobility will not be able to participate in the experience but are still welcome to view from the spectator area.
• We wish all visitors to have the opportunity to participate in animal experiences.  However it may not be possible to make the specific adjustments required to provide a safe and pleasurable experience.  In these instances, we reserve the right to cancel and refund the experience, on the day, if we feel it would be unsafe to continue.
• Regrettably, certain guests may be unable to take part in our Meerkat experience if they have any relevant phobias or known allergies, pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals.

Health and Safety

• A valid up to date Tetanus vaccination is advisable although not compulsory.
• Participants should be in good health and free from any conditions that may be aggravated by participating in the experience.
• Please inform the staff of any allergies or medical conditions prior to participating.
• Please cover any existing cuts and abrasions on exposed skin with waterproof dressings and the disposable gloves provided.
• Personal protective equipment will be provided and must be worn as directed.
• Smoking is not permitted within Tropical Birdland grounds and not around any of the animals or birds.
• Eating and drinking is only allowed in the designated eating areas.
• Do not eat any of the food intended for the animals.
• Hands should be washed after the Meerkat experience has finished and before touching any other animal or bird at Tropical Birdland.  Hands should also be washed before eating or drinking and before leaving Tropical Birdland.
• You must not enter the Meerkat enclosure without specific instruction from the zoo keeper and without the zoo keeper being present.
• Please be aware that contact with any animal can present a health and safety risk.  Tropical Birdland will try to mitigate that risk with appropriate measures such selecting animals and keeper support however please be advised that injuries can be sustained when participating in animal experiences.
• In the unlikely event that an injury does occur, trained staff will manage the situation and will seek first aid assistance from our qualified first aiders where necessary.
• Any accidents or  injuries should be reported to the Zoo Keeper immediately so that appropriate action can be taken and first aid provided.
• In the event of an emergency you should follow the instructions of the Zoo Keeper. If you become separated leave by the area by the nearest exit and head straight to the assembly point in the main car park.
• The welfare of the animals in our care is our top priority and our expert keepers reserve the right to make adjustments to the experience or postpone should they deem necessary.

Liability

• Tropical Birdland is not liable for any personal injury, loss, or damage to personal property during the experience.
• All participants are ultimately responsible for their own safety and all their personal belongings including equipment carried with them.
• Participants are responsible for their own actions and must comply with safety guidelines at all times.
• Participants are required to sign a waiver / disclosure form which states they agree to the terms and conditions set out in this document.  Failure to sign the waiver will result in the experience being cancelled with no refund given.

Photography and Media

• Photography is permitted during the experience, but flash photography is prohibited as it may distress the animals.
• Participants consent to the use of any photographs or videos taken during the experience for promotional purposes by Tropical Birdland.

Code of Conduct

• Respect the animals and their habitat. Do not feed, touch, or provoke the meerkats unless instructed by staff.
• Maintain a respectful attitude towards other participants and staff.
• Follow all posted rules and guidelines throughout the experience.
• Tropical Birdland reserve the right to remove any participant who behaves in an inappropriate or unsafe manner or poses a threat to the safety of the animals or other guests.  No refund shall be given.

Changes to Terms and Conditions

• Tropical Birdland reserves the right to modify these terms and conditions at any time. Any changes will be communicated to participants.

Contact Information

• For any questions or concerns regarding these terms and conditions, please contact us at info@tropicalbirdland.co.uk

By participating in Tropical Birdland’s Meerkat Experience, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to these terms and conditions.