Norfolk Wildlife Park

P

Paulus

Active Member
Just found out that the Norfolk Wildlife Park, more recently known as the Animal Ark, has closed.

They lost their licence to keep wild animals a few years ago, the zoo had bee in decline for many years. Still a shame though, we could do with a decent European themed zoo
 
I was lucky to visit in its 1970s heyday. The first place I ever saw wolverines, susliks, chamois, stone-curlews, booted eagles and a host of others. The pheasant collection was a thing of joy to anyone who appreciates gamebirds. I suppose it was another place that depended too much on one man's vigour and committment.
 
Well, in a way it's sad the way it was left, but Philip Wayre is the guy mainly responsible for bringing the otter back to the UK through the work of the otter tust
 
My last visit was in 1985, still at its best with the Wayre family at the helm. Breeding European Lynx, Sousliks, an interesting exhibit for Barbary Macaques - open-topped if I remember correctly. The Brown Bears had just left the collection prior to my visit sadly. A great collection of European species. The collection achieved several UK first breedings in the early days. It started out , like so many great zoos, as one mans private collection opened up to the public, one man who had vision, enthusiasm, passion and dedication. It is a great shame it has all ended in this way.
 
This was the first place I saw many European species; there was a large walk-through aviary with Alpine Choughs & Azure-winged Magpies, both of which later bred successfully when segregated into pair in some of the pheasant aviaries. One of the Azure-winged escaped and remained at liberty for months before being caught, and used to feed its mate through the aviary wire. Any reminiscences of this collection would be welcome -- does anyone have any photos?
While we're in Norfolk, does anyone remember Kelling park Aviaries or the Short-lived Cromer Birdland?
 
FBBird said:
This was the first place I saw many European species; there was a large walk-through aviary with Alpine Choughs & Azure-winged Magpies, both of which later bred successfully when segregated into pair in some of the pheasant aviaries. One of the Azure-winged escaped and remained at liberty for months before being caught, and used to feed its mate through the aviary wire. Any reminiscences of this collection would be welcome -- does anyone have any photos?
While we're in Norfolk, does anyone remember Kelling park Aviaries or the Short-lived Cromer Birdland?
Click to expand...

Yes I do have some photos from there, taken in 85, I will have to find them and post them in the gallery at some point. I remember Kelling Park Aviaries but I never got round to visiting.
 
Looking forward to the photos. Kelling Park Aviaries, as it started as the private collection of Jack Rawlings [of Rawlplug fame] was exciting and well done, with good collections of cockatoos, macaws and pheasants; late years under different regimes were less inspiring, but I have fond memories of the place.
 
Birdland Cromer

FBBird said:
This was the first place I saw many European species; there was a large walk-through aviary with Alpine Choughs & Azure-winged Magpies, both of which later bred successfully when segregated into pair in some of the pheasant aviaries. One of the Azure-winged escaped and remained at liberty for months before being caught, and used to feed its mate through the aviary wire. Any reminiscences of this collection would be welcome -- does anyone have any photos?
While we're in Norfolk, does anyone remember Kelling park Aviaries or the Short-lived Cromer Birdland?
Click to expand...

I remember Birdland (Cromer) as it was my father (Richard Porritt) who owned it from around 1967. Sadly it closed in the early 70's and became 'Seacroft Campsite' which we sold in 1981. Would be interested in any memories or photos of the place (especially the Penguins!), as I was just a toddler and we only have a few photos and a couple of reels of film.
 
Cromer Birdland. Species I remember from 1967-68 are:
Magellan Penguin, Hyacinthine Jay, Purple Gallinule, Gannet, west African Crowned Crane, Sulphur and White-breasted Toucan, Emerald Dove, a tame human-oriented Bobwhite Quail. Waterfowl included Eider, Carolina, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Emperor and Canada Geese. Pheasants include Yellow Golden, Silver, Lady Amherst's & Monal. There was a tame Grey Parrot called George in the restaurant, and some squirrels from Trinidad. I have a set of postcards somewhere, and will put any other memories on here if they occur to me. I seem to remember that part of the collection remained open briefly after most of the land had been sold off.
 
I used to visit Kelling regularly. It was last run by Gordon Hiscockm who used to own the pet shop in Aylsham.Curiously Gordon went on to run a bird of prey exhibit at Norfolk Wildlife Park, which was the best thing there
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top