Gentleshaw Wildlife Centre Gentleshaw Wildlife Centre

Susan Humphreys

Susan Humphreys

Well-Known Member
Has anyone been to Gentleshaw Wildlife Centre in Staffordshire. Its only a small place but they have kinkajous and admission is only £3? Looks like they take in rescued animals mainly - they also have a couple of pumas and raccoons and various birds.
Thanks
Susan:)
 
I know the place quite well they are a rescue centre but all the animals are extremly well cared for,and i`m not saying this just because i know the owners,they also have a very good breeding record with the Kinkajous,at the moment they are down to 1 Puma i believe,the person to ask about the collection if you want any more info is trigger as shes the boss.
 
Didn't they send a pair of caracal to South Africa for release onto an air force base as a natural form of pigeon control?
 
Well I hsil from St Helens so I can tell you it only take about an hour down the M6.
I know this because I've been volunteering there for over 8 years now and make the trip at least once a fortnight. ;)

Jnc 14 of the M6, coming from "our end", go round the roundabout and take the turning for Eccleshall - it's a doddle. :)

The centre is, under Jennys care, looking better than ever and it's a credit to her and her family. Kira (the female puma) now has her new pen and the main aviaries have been rebuilt. Plus the paths have been completely redone thanks to a lottery grant to improve disabled access. (Alas, no lottery money for the animals - they don't "do" animals.).

If the weather is kind, May Bank Holiday would be a good time 'cause you likely also catch Jen in her fancy dress for the "Jungle Day" :D
 
bongorob said:
Didn't they send a pair of caracal to South Africa for release onto an air force base as a natural form of pigeon control?
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Hi, we did yes, although really it was the work of a group called wildlink. We took on a pair of Caracals to care for them until they were ready to go and while they here they they bred so in the end 5 were put out into Africa, it was back in 1999 but was a brill experince. We are only a really small place wiht plenaty of room for improvment. All of our animals and a lot of our birds of prey are rescue cases. Our Kinks are particully good at breeding, did take them 10 years to get going though!!:)
 
Trigger said:
Hi, we did yes, although really it was the work of a group called wildlink.
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Have you any idea what happened to 'Wildlink' ? I believe it was them who were funding the DNA testing of Barbary Lions but they just seemed to disappear and with it went any funding for more Barbary Lion research...
 
Pertinax said:
Have you any idea what happened to 'Wildlink' ? I believe it was them who were funding the DNA testing of Barbary Lions but they just seemed to disappear and with it went any funding for more Barbary Lion research...
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Not really sure , I belive they are still doing the Barbary lion project but they are/were doing a lot of work with filming(as that was their main thing). Kay is abroad alot so we don't keep up like we used to. Sorry carn't be of more help.
 
demonmoth asking about other collections near Hoo Zoo made me think of coming here, just to see a Kinkajou, but Gentlshaw's facebook says today they have now moved offshow as they are so rarely seen.
 
Made a visit here earlier this week.

For a small centre (couple of acres max) it's a nice set up.

They have a nice little reptile house, with Marmosets and Iguana sharing, and a couple of other snakes (Burmese, Royal, Carpet Python and a Boa) as well as a Bearded Dragon, and a Monitor Lizard. A Prevost Squirrel shares with some Tortoises.

A nice collection of Birds Of Prey and they are currently building new exhibits for Lemurs, Python and Tortoises.

Kinkajou's are offshow, as their house is not viewable and their outside is round the back of a staff area where some building work is being done.

Had a couple of enjoyable hours, and whilst it is small, it has a nice cafe in the Garden Centre, and it's only a Fiver to get in, so it's good value.

All signage tells you the history of the animals, and how they were rescued, or may have come from closed down zoos or zoo surplus.

Most of the keepers are volunteers and are happy to chat about the animals.

Bird Displays I think resume in April, and it's definitely worth a visit if you're in the Telford/Stoke area.
 
Alwaysevergreen said:
Made a visit here earlier this week.

For a small centre (couple of acres max) it's a nice set up.

They have a nice little reptile house, with Marmosets and Iguana sharing, and a couple of other snakes (Burmese, Royal, Carpet Python and a Boa) as well as a Bearded Dragon, and a Monitor Lizard. A Prevost Squirrel shares with some Tortoises.

A nice collection of Birds Of Prey and they are currently building new exhibits for Lemurs, Python and Tortoises.

Kinkajou's are offshow, as their house is not viewable and their outside is round the back of a staff area where some building work is being done.

Had a couple of enjoyable hours, and whilst it is small, it has a nice cafe in the Garden Centre, and it's only a Fiver to get in, so it's good value.

All signage tells you the history of the animals, and how they were rescued, or may have come from closed down zoos or zoo surplus.

Most of the keepers are volunteers and are happy to chat about the animals.

Bird Displays I think resume in April, and it's definitely worth a visit if you're in the Telford/Stoke area.
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What other animals do they still have, in addition to those mentioned? It must be 5 years or more since I made my only visit
 
pipaluk said:
What other animals do they still have, in addition to those mentioned? It must be 5 years or more since I made my only visit
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Among others -
"Wolf" Dog
Brown Capuchin (the Weeper they had a few years ago was rehomed elsewhere)
Black and White Ruffed Lemurs
Meerkat
Sulcatta Tortoise

The Stump Tailed Macaques unfortunately died in 2022
 
ifesbob said:
Like a wolfdog, the hybrid between the pet and a wild wold, or a dog that they're passing off as a wolf?
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The sign on the enclosure says the following;

"In November 2017, Rain came up for rehoming. Bought as a puppy along woth her sister, aged 2, the girls had begun fighting with rain losing. Her owner needed to re home rain.
Rain had not be socialised and is very shy. She was housed for hours on end in a muzzle to stop her howling. She will now tolerate several of the keepers for a cuddle or a walk, she is nervous of large groups of people but loves to swim and enjoys rolling in anything smelly.
She may choose to hide herself away, but if you stand quietly she may come out of her bedroom to see what's going on. Due to Rains upbringing, she would not tollerate being a house pet. To give her privacy whenever she wants it, her bedroom is offshow.

We were asked to take Chief in by his 4th owner in July 2022. Chief's great, grandmother was a wolf, and his great great grandfather was half wolf. Wolfdogs need lots of time and space and will not blend into people's lifestyles. One of Chief's previous homes only lasted four days before they moved him on again. At 5 years old (2022) we hope finally that Chief will find here a safe space, where he will be loved and cared for whatever his behaviour, permanently. Chief struggles in a house environment and he needs his own space and long walks. He no longer has to be locked in a kennel and can pick and choose where he wants to chill out in between his walks.

Whilst their mixed DNA makes them both domestic pets, their up bringing and previous treatment makes them uncomfortable in a domestic setting. We know they are not wild animals, but their home here is better than the alternative that previous owners had considered".
 
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