Wheeky bum time for Wicksteed Park's furry England football-loving farmy army guinea pigs
Wicksteed Park’s herd of baby guinea pigs have become the England football team’s littlest fans – as watching Three Lions World Cup games makes them squeal with delight.
Animal keepers began playing matches to the six furry new arrivals at the Kettering park to help get them used to humans and make them less shy.
Now they squeal – or wheek – with joy whenever the games are played to them on a mobile phone propped up in their enclosure in the Wicky’s Farmyard animal attraction.
Wheeking is a loud, high-pitched squeal or whistle of pure excitement – typically made when guinea pigs are greeting someone or know it is feeding time.
Wicksteed Park director Kelly Richardson said: “Baby guinea pigs are naturally quite shy so playing them human voices and sounds which replicate the general noise around the park helps them to settle into their new environment.
“We’ve discovered that World Cup matches or highlights, with the noise of the crowd and the sound of the commentators, are a great way to do this, but we didn’t realise that they would enjoy it so much, particularly when England are playing!”
The animals have been at their noisiest during England games, particularly when Harry Kane scored in the 4-2 victory over Croatia, leading animal keepers to declare them the team’s smallest fans and decorate their cage with England flags to support the team.
The four-month-old old guinea pigs have also now been given nicknames to match the England squad – including Harry, Jordan and even Thomas after manager Thomas Tuchel.
But it’s going to be wheeky bum time as England’s next match against Panama on Saturday (June 27) a real claw biter for the farmyard fans – they are hoping for as un-fur-gettable performance to see them through to the next round.
Although a captive audience, the crepuscular cavies will have to watch on catch-up as the 11pm kick off is way past their bedtimes.
As well as guinea pigs, Wicky’s Farmyard features pigs, giant continental rabbits, bunnies, ducks and chickens.
Other attractions include the iconic water chute, which has just celebrated its 100th birthday.
Family favourites also include Dinosaur Valley rollercoaster, Jolly Jockeys, Wicky’s Farmyard and the Railway, along with the Carousel, Sway Rider and Pig ‘n’ Putt Crazy Golf.
The price of on-day wristbands purchased at the park is £19.25 and matches the online purchase price.
Wicksteed Park combines a 281-acre estate including parkland with more than 25 rides and attractions for all the family and is now open every weekend, bank holiday and school holiday until the first week in October.
For further information on all the above, go to wicksteedpark.org