New Forest Wildlife Park

The New Forest Wildlife Park, formerly known as The New Forest Otter, Owl and Wildlife Conservation Park, is situated on the outskirts of The New Forest, near the towns of Ashurst and Lyndhurst in the United Kingdom. The park's primary focus is on the native and formerly native wildlife of Britain. It also houses a significant collection of otters and owls sourced from across the globe, featuring four species of native British wildlife and ten species of owls.

Role in Wildlife Rescue and Conservation

The institution holds a distinguished position as the UK's leading center for the rescue and rehabilitation of sick, injured, and orphaned wild otters. Its efforts extend to the rehabilitation of other British wildlife, including owls, deer, and foxes. Furthermore, the New Forest Wildlife Park is actively engaged in various conservation initiatives. These include vital breeding programs aimed at preserving endangered native species, such as Scottish wildcats, water voles, and harvest mice.

History and Evolution

The site's origins trace back to 1981 when it was established as The New Forest Butterfly Farm, with its main glasshouse complex still standing today. Following the closure of the butterfly farm in the early 1990s, the location was acquired by Vardon Plc., an entertainment company that also owned numerous Sea Life Centres in the UK. Vardon transformed the site into New Forest Nature Quest, a collection dedicated to native wildlife. After Vardon was taken over by Merlin Entertainments in 1998, the park was put up for sale. A portion of the animal collection was acquired by 'Nature Quest,' a company owned by Kenneth West, which eventually found a home at the Wildwood Discovery Park in Kent. The remaining collection was taken over by Roger Heap, who had been operating the Chestnut Centre, a specialized otter and owl collection in Derbyshire since 1984. Heap's family integrated their extensive otter and owl collection with the native animals already present, leading to the establishment of The New Forest Otter, Owl and Wildlife Conservation Park. Twelve years later, the park was rebranded as The New Forest Wildlife Park, a name change intended to better reflect its expanding and diverse collection of native and past-native wildlife, in addition to its prominent otter and owl exhibits.

Facilities

Complementing its zoological offerings, the park features the Woodland Bakehouse, which serves as its restaurant and tearoom, accessible to both visitors and the general public. Adjacent to the bakehouse is the Wildlife Gift Shop, offering souvenirs and local produce. During the winter months, the gift shop's operations are scaled down and relocated within the bakehouse.