Longueville Manor
Earlier this year, Longueville Manor adopted Badongo – the large male silverback gorilla currently residing at Durrell, Jersey’s famous Wildlife Conservation Trust.
The adoption is part of the hotel’s ongoing commitment to the environment and whilst fundraising is at the forefront of the hotel’s support, we thought that it is equally as important to ensure Badongo gets his regular five a day, so we have been growing a selection of delicious fruit and vegetables in the Longueville Manor kitchen garden for him to enjoy.
In 2006, we joined forces with St Saviour’s primary school by inviting their Year Four pupils to visit Longueville Manor twice a term to learn about different areas within the hotel; this included how to grow fresh vegetables and the vital work that Durrell does for conservation throughout the year.
In 2012 we decided to develop this by growing crops for Badongo and his family. The children seem to have taken a particular interest in the garden and seed sowing; they love that they can then visit Badongo at Durrell knowing that he is eating the food that they have helped to grow.
Since his arrival at Durrell last July, Badongo is proving to be a virile young male! He’s settled in well to his new environment and has been very successful in forming bonds within his gorilla group. A Western lowland gorilla, he was actually born in La Vallee des Singes in France; he is smaller than his mountain cousins and has shorter hair and longer arms.
Badongo’s carefully selected Longueville Manor menu includes a real mixture of fruit, vegetables, stems roots and foliage. Whilst we provide many vegetables including carrots, parsnips and lettuce, he also has a penchant for leaves and tree bark to maintain his balanced and healthy diet.
The hotel encourages all guests to visit Durrell Wildlife Park to meet Badongo and support the Trust’s pioneering work. Badongo gifts are also available for guests to purchase from Longueville Manor, to ensure the Badongo message travels far and wide!
Visit: http://www.longuevillemanor.com/welcome for more information and reservations.
Twitter: @Longueville
