HI-RES PHOTO ATTACHED

FILMING OPPORTUNITY

29 July 2016 Summer visitors look forward to the spectacle of horseback jousters and flying fireballs when they go to Warwick Castle, but the sight of over 40 adult peacocks strutting around the grounds is also a memorable moment. Now the public is being asked to suggest names for a brood of newborn peachicks (baby peacocks) born at the Castle this month. The young birds are the first peachicks to hatch naturally at the attraction in over four years.

Found nesting on the roof of an outbuilding and brought to the safety of a gardener's shed, the fluffy chicks and their mum are being cared for round the clock by a dedicated team of Castle staff. 

Four times each day the peacock family enjoy a feast of mealworms, soaked in water for softness and lovingly prepared by the staff volunteers. As a treat, the peachicks enjoy salad leaves from the Castle's kitchens.

Nick Blofeld, Divisional Director of Warwick Castle said: “The cuteness factor of our peachicks is off the scale already, but until they are a little older we can't tell if they are girls or boys.  Which of them will grow up to enjoy the magnificent plumage that our peacocks are famous for?  We have over 1,100 years of history from which to choose names for our chicks, but we're sure the Great British public can help with some memorable monikers, so we'd love to hear their suggestions. As a guide, their mum is called Felice after the star of our Princess Tower attraction.”

Got some names in mind? Head to Warwick Castle's Facebook page and leave a comment.

WARWICK CASTLE PEAHENS – FAST FACTS

• These are the first peachicks to hatch at Warwick Castle in four years
• They are believed to be just over one week old
• Mum and babies were rescued from a flat roof and now enjoy being cared for and fed in a garden shed sanctuary
• They enjoy eating mealworms and salad greens

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Media contacts

Rob Bates – White Tiger PR

Tel:  07957 316491 / Email: rob.bates@whitetigerpr.com 

Note to editors

Warwick Castle is easily accessible from Junction 15 of the M40, just 40 minutes from Birmingham and 1 hour 40 minutes from London. Warwick Castle is easy to reach by train from London Marylebone in only 86 minutes.The Castle, set in 64 acres of grounds designed by Capability Brown, rests on the banks of the River Avon at the heart of historic Warwick. 

MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS plc is the leading name in location-based, family entertainment. Europe's Number 1 and the world's second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin now operates 106 attractions, 11 hotels/3 holiday villages in 23 countries and across 4 continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its almost 63 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and c26,000 employees (peak season).  Among Merlin's attractions are - SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds, LEGOLAND, The London Eye, Dungeons, Gardaland, LEGOLAND Discovery Centres, Alton Towers Resort, Warwick Castle, THORPE PARK Resort, Blackpool Tower, Heide Park Resort, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, Sydney Tower Eye and SKYWALK.  All brands which are distinctive, challenging and innovative – and which have great potential for growth in the future. Visit www.merlinentertainments.biz for more information.