|
OUR CONSERVATION MISSION
‘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 8 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 often comes in the form of insects, so in order to attract these 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, so 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 bat and bird box locations. These plants are varied to attract a vast selection of different insects. Peat-free compost is always used.
FROM LITTLE ACORNS...
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 now requires minimum management, as mentioned above, 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!
|
|
|
Quick Links - select below
• Looking for answers - search our Blog
• Something to say - join our Blog
• Visit our Kid's page
• Make a donation
• About us
• Where to find us
|
|
Sign Up - register today!
|
To join our mailing list , justclick on the link below & email us.
info@sheprethwildlifepark.org
We'll keep you up to date with all the latest promotions & activities at Shepreth Wildlife Park
|
|
|
|
|
|
RE-CYCLING AT SHEPRETH WIDLIFE PARK
The team at Shepreth endeavour to help global conservation efforts by
re-cycling all materials it feasibly can.
BURY LANE FRUIT FARM
A10 Bypass
Melbourn
Herts
SG8 6DF
T: 01763 260418
Cardboard is re-cycled at a local farm shop - Bury Lane Fruit Farm who also very kindly donate the Wildlife Park with fresh fruit and vegetables, helping them to recycle their waste too! We are very grateful to Bury Lane for this daily donation to the animals!
HILARY'S WHOLESALE Ltd.
Unit 7, Brickyard Industrial Estate,
Coldhams Road,
Cambridge,
CB1 3EW.
T: 01223 414140
Hilary's Wholesale also generously supply the Wildlife Park with fresh fruit and vegetables, with thanks to our Office Manager, Haley Kelly, for her daily collection which always fills up the boot of her car!
Compost, paper, 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.
|
Pond life
|
|
In 2010, 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 and moorhen.
In addition to the ponds, a 'wild' 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 and threatened by predation, is relocated to this safe area. Frogs return to this exhibit to spawn every year.
|
Conservation area
|
An area on the boundary of the property has been left to over-grow. This ‘conservation area’ is designed to attract all types of native insects, birds and mammals. It is utilised by the park’s Education Centre to teach children the
importance of all aspects of wildlife.
 This area is also crucial for the Hedgehog Rehabilitation Programme. Shepreth Wildlife Park has been re-habilitating sick and injured wild hedgehogs, brought in from the public, for several years. All successfully re-habilitated animals are released back into the wild. Blind or disabled hedgehogs are homed in a naturalistic enclosure on site.
|
|
Shepreth Wildlife Park is conscious of its carbon footprint and aims to become carbon neutral with the aid of all its staff.
|
|
|
