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Players hone animal instincts with media day zoo visit

10 April 2014

Gloucestershire are looking to make a flying start to their LV= County Championship season after a trip to Bristol Zoo Gardens that included feeding the lorikeets.

The squad – who take on Hampshire in a 4-day game at the Bristol County Ground starting this Sunday - took a walk on the wild side as part of their pre-season media day.

As well as getting in a flap with the parrots, the players sharpened their animal instincts with a walk around the award-winning attraction and spent time coaching around 100 of the zoo’s younger visitors.

Chief Executive Will Brown said: “It was fantastic for the players to be able to get out and engage with the community at one of the city’s top destinations.

“There was a real sense of camaraderie within the squad and they really enjoyed the chance to do something a little bit out of the ordinary.

“It was great to see the players coaching the children.  Hopefully this will have sparked their interest in Gloucestershire Cricket and encourage their parents to bring them along to the Bristol County Ground this summer.”

Animal attractions that proved particularly popular with Gloucestershire’s 21-man squad included the zoo’s famous gorillas and its loveable meerkat population.

All the players had the chance feed the lorikeets, but some proved more successful than others.

One of those who showed impressive bird-whispering skills was Benny Howell.

However his fellow all-rounder Will Gidman’s attempt proved a little more bird-brained…

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