‘The conservation of ecosytems and natural habitats and the maintenance and recovery of viable populations of species in their natural surroundings.’ (Convention on Biodiversity cited in Defra, 2005)

This is what today’s legislation expects from animal collections. So despite the fact Shepreth Wildlife Park is a restricted site of just nine acres, within its boundaries you will find numerous conservation features designed to encourage and aid native species of flora and fauna.

As well as placing feeding, nesting and roosting devices around the park, it is also important to attract natural nutrition for bats and birds. This, in most instances, comes in the form of insects such as small flies, moths, beetles, crane flies etc. In order to attract these insects a rich food source must be available. The park has spent several years planting various types of flora in a range of locations throughout the site. Insects are attracted to sweet nectar and protein-rich pollen, therefore an array of flowering plants, trees and shrubs are planted every year where they are needed. In particular, a flower patch has specifically been located in the middle of the bat and bird box locations. These plants are varied to attract a vast selection of different insects. Peat-free compost is always used.

Shepreth Wildlife Park is conscious of its carbon footprint and aims to become carbon neutral with the aid of all it's staff.

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Management of the site with regards to conversation issues were considered during the initial planning stages of the wildlife park. This fortunate situation means the site requires minimum management to attract native species. The original site, in 1979, was derelict wasteland with just a few trees and splintered glass distributed over barren earth. Today, it is a popular animal collection set in natural surroundings attracting all types of human and ‘non-human’ visitors!

In 2009, the park now hosts three large ponds which accommodate several different species of introduced fish along with a variety of marginal vegetation. Over the years all three water sources have attracted numerous wild bird species such as kingfishers and herons. Regular visitors to the water include mallards,  geese, moorhen,  and even a male mandarin duck reappears every breeding season.

In addition to the ponds, a frog and toad water area was created to encourage native amphibians to the area. Marginal vegetation was encouraged to grow and trees were planted to offer cover for its inhabitants. All frog spawn found in any animal enclosures on-site that is threatened by predation, is relocated  to this safe area. Frogs return to this exhibit to spawn every year.

SWP also endeavours to help the global conservation efforts of the environment by re-cycling all materials it feasibly can. Cardboard and paper are recycled at a local Farm Shop (Bury Lane Fruit Farm) who also supply the park with their out-of-date fruit, helping them to recycle their waste too!  Compost, tins and plastic bottles are re-cycled through an outside company and water butts are used to conserve water. Lights and heating are kept switched off when not required and all bulbs are being replaced with energy saving alternatives. Management are also currently looking at other forms of renewable energy sources.