EK Magazine November 2020

It's exciting to see this first edition in print after more than a year of planning and research behind us ? that is, if you ignore the seven years we spent saying, "wouldn?t it be great to launch an exotics magazine!" Now, here it is, and it?s better than we ever imagined it could be.

This first edition explores some of the most iconic, unusual, and attractive pet species on the planet and we speak to the zoologists and specialists who work with them.

The ploughshare tortoise is almost extinct in the wild. We meet Mauritius-based conservationist Owen Griffi this to find out why, and we learn about his ploughshare breeding project on a tiny island in the Indian Ocean where he?s working to save the species.

Also in this jam-packed first edition, we speak to renowned exotics specialist Jim Collins as he talks us through the joys of keeping armadillos. Don?t read this article unless you?re ready to get one ? you have been warned!

Plus we take a look at the electric blue day gecko with Dr Martin Singheiser and ask whether a secret population of these animals exists in their native Tanzania.

The motivation for creating Exotics Keeper Magazine was a determination to help, care for and protect exotic animals, with a charity component being part of the plan - eventually. Then, in April 2020, the crisis caused by the Covid-19 lockdown pushed the charity plans into fast-forward. Here's what happened next.

Despite the lockdown being lifted, zoos and exotic animal sanctuaries have been hit hard during the Coronavirus crisis. Following a period where zoos had no visitors, no fundraising events and nowhere near enough donations, many are still struggling to feed their animals. EK Fund has donated over ?3,000 to zoos, rehoming centres and wildlife parks over the last few months as part of the first funding project.

Over the coming months and years the EK Fund be selecting eligible and worthwhile charities, organisations and projects to donate to, keeping you up to date with campaigns and donations via their website and the Exotics Keeper Magazine.

<h3>Delivery Information</h3>
<p>We believe in being upfront about our delivery costs.</p>
<ul>
<li>Delivery cost is calculated at the checkout and is dependant upon your basket contents and post code.</li>
<li>We group products together so you get a reduced price.</li>
<li>When you checkout the total delivery price is shown.</li>
<li>Orders over &pound;99 qualify for FREE delivery.</li>
</ul>
<hr>
<h3>Dispatch Information</h3>
<ul>
<li>Orders are dispatched Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays.</li>
<li>Orders placed before 12pm will be dispatched that day</li>
<li>Orders placed after 12pm are not guaranteed to dispatched that day.</li>
<li>Frozen food will not be dispatched on a Friday unless Saturday delivery is specified.</li>
<li>Dispatch emails & tracking information are sent throughout the day.</li>
</ul>
<hr>
<h3>Who Will Deliver My Order?</h3>
<p>Depending on the weight/ size of your order and your postcode, you will be presented with appropriate delivery options at the checkout.</p>
<ul>
<li>Royal Mail</li>
<ul>
<li>Royal Mail 24 - 1st class service that aims to deliver within 1 day of dispatch (not guaranteed).</li>
<li>Royal Mail 24 Tracked - 1st class service that aims to deliver within 1 day of dispatch (not guaranteed).</li>
</ul>
<li>APC</li>
<ul>
<li>Mainland UK - next day courier with pre-12pm or pre-4pm delivery services (excluding some Scottish postal codes).</li>
<li>Saturday - aims to delivery before 12pm Saturday to mainland UK if order placed before 12pm Friday(excluding some Scottish postal codes).</li>
</ul>
<li>DX</li>
<ul>
<li>Mainland UK - next day courier with pre-1pm or pre-6pm delivery services (excludes some Scottish postal codes).</li>
<li>Saturday - delivers Saturday to mainland UK if order placed before 12pm Friday (excluding some Scottish postal codes).</li>
</ul>
<li>Kings/ Tuffnell's</li>
<ul>
<li>Some heavy items may need to be moved from your selected delivery service to a palletised delivery service with a delivery time of 1-2 working days.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<hr>
<h3>Offshore/ Remote UK Delivery:</h3>
<p>Orders via Royal Mail are unaffected. Orders that need to be delivered via a courier may (but not always) incur additional delivery charges if you live in one of the following post codes; AB30-56, IV, HS, KA27-28, KW, PA20-49, PA60-78, PH17-26, PH30-50, ZE, IM, BT & TR21-25.</p>
<p>Please place your order as normal and we will contact you before dispatching your order if necessary.</p>
<hr>
<h3>Offshore Non-UK Delivery:</h3>
<p>We are not currently accepting orders from outside of the UK.</p>