NESTLED in the South Gloucestershire countryside, a humble conservation park is beginning to show up larger zoos across the region.

That's because Wild Place is not your typical animal attraction with lions or gorillas safely kept behind glass closures while scores of eager children and families huddle close for an eyeful of the exotic creatures.

At Wild Place zebras and eland roam freely in a large meadow with just a small fence to remind visitors they are not in fact in the African jungle but just a few miles from the city of Bristol.

As part of its novel approach to conservation, the park is comprised of various eco-systems. These include an East African Savannah, designed to recreate as closely as possible animals' natural habitat, and the Madagascar experience’s lemur walkthrough with its replica island school.

'Explorers' are invited to wander around the various ecosystems and chance upon the okapi pen or the pack of young wolves keeping watch over their large territory in the depths of the forest.

Completing the ‘wilderness’ experience is a barefoot path. Boxes filled with sand, melted rubber, pebbles, slate are peppered along a trail for visitors' enjoyment. Wild Place is at Blackhorse Hill, Bristol, BS10 7TP. Tickets cost £7.50 for adults and £6 for children. Children under two go free. Annual passes are £26 for adults and £17 for children. The park is open every day from 10am. Call 0117 9807175 or go to www.wild place.org.uk for more information.