Inspirational ideas for group days out and holidays

It appears the recent downpours haven’t dampened the spirits of a troop of monkeys at Longleat Safari & Adventure Park in Wiltshire, as they make the most of the recent rainfall by turning puddles into temporary wet play areas.

As well as providing a fun new experience for the younger members of the troop, the puddles have also enabled some of the monkeys to actually see their own reflections – which have clearly fascinated them.

Longleat’s Deputy Head Keeper, Ian Turner, who took the photographs of the monkeys, said: “Watching them jumping about in the puddles and even throwing stones and other objects into the water to see how big a splash they can make has been great.

“It’s obvious they genuinely enjoy themselves, even if the rest of us are finding the rain less entertaining.”

The monkeys are part of more than 100 rhesus macaques at Longleat Safari & Adventure Park who normally spend their days leaping from car to car, hitching free rides on the thousands of vehicles that pass through their enclosure each day.

For more information about Longleat call 01985 844328 or visit www.longleat.co.uk