Lakeland Wildlife Oasis

What is Lakeland Wildlife Oasis?

Lakeland Wildlife Oasis is a zoological collection situated near Milnthorpe in Cumbria, England, distinguished by its science and evolution theme. Since April 2012, it has been managed by the registered charity Lakeland Trust for Natural Sciences. The center is designed to immerse visitors in an evolutionary journey, starting with marine life and progressing through amphibians, reptiles, birds, and finally mammals.

History and Development

The zoo first opened its doors to the public on April 14, 1992, operating as a combined "part-zoo, part-museum." Its initial offerings included a butterfly hall, aquarium, and tropical hall, housing a variety of species such as common marmosets, brown rats, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates. Over the years, the zoo expanded its facilities. A significant development occurred in 2011 with the acquisition of its first snow leopard, Pavan, for whom a unique enclosure featuring a perspex walk-through tunnel was constructed, reportedly the first of its kind in the UK for a big cat exhibit. Pavan was later joined by a female named Tara, and their offspring, Loki and Luna, born in 2014, marked the first successful snow leopard breeding recorded in the North of England.

In 2015, Lakeland Wildlife Oasis faced a severe challenge when it was hit by extensive flooding during Storm Desmond, forcing its closure to the public. While many animals managed to reach higher ground, others, including pheasants and Azara's agoutis, were safely relocated. The lack of visitor revenue prompted the zoo to launch a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for repairs and to enhance the flood-proofing of its animal enclosures.

Exhibits and Visitor Experience

The 3-acre (1.2 ha) center is organized into distinct sections, including a butterfly house, a tropical hall, an aquarium, and various outdoor enclosures. The layout is intentionally crafted to guide visitors through an evolutionary timeline. The zoo hosts "animal interactives" and offers "Keeper for the Day" experiences with some of its animals for an additional fee, providing a more hands-on engagement for visitors.

The main entrance provides access to a gift shop and the Wild Café, which is accessible to both visitors with zoo tickets and those without. The zoo's collection features over 100 species, including notable animals like fossa, snow leopards, fruit bats, meerkats, armadillos, red squirrels, lemurs, marmosets, roul-rouls, and black curassows.

Conservation Efforts

Lakeland Wildlife Oasis plays an active role in wildlife conservation. As a member of BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums) and through collaborations with European zoos, the center participates in breeding programs for several endangered species. These include snow leopards, fossa, Rodrigues fruit bats, and various primates. Beyond its breeding initiatives, the center also contributes to overseas conservation projects, such as the Mountain Marmoset Conservation Programme, Money for Madagascar, and the Snow Leopard Trust, underscoring its commitment to global wildlife preservation.