Last week, we had the incredible opportunity to visit two of our valued conservation partners – Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park and Watatunga Wildlife Reserve. These two institutions both exemplify the profound impact that dedication to wildlife preservation can have on protecting our planet’s biodiversity.
Located in the heart of Suffolk, Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park has undergone an extraordinary transformation over the past two decades. Originally a farm attraction, it has evolved into an award-winning, world-class Wildlife Park, thanks to the visionary efforts of Jimmy Doherty and Stevie Sheppard. With a degree in Zoology and a Doctorate in Entomology, Jimmy’s background as an entomologist deeply informs the park’s conservation initiatives.
The park’s commitment to preserving butterflies and other pollinating insects is particularly noteworthy. This passion aligns perfectly with Jimmy’s expertise and our goals at Nature’s SAFE. Together, we hope to develop new strategies to conserve these vital species in the coming years.
Under the leadership of Stevie Sheppard, the Park Director, Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park has earned national and international acclaim. Stevie’s dedication ensures that every animal and team member receives the care and consideration they deserve, making the park a thriving sanctuary for wildlife and a hub of conservation education.
Nestled in Norfolk, Watatunga Wildlife Reserve is dedicated to providing a naturalistic habitat for all of the animals under their care, spanning 170 acres of woodland, grassland, and lakes. The reserve is home to a diverse array of species, including the Père David’s Deer and Scimitar Horned Oryx — two species which are already extinct in the wild. For such species, breeding in captivity is essential for their survival and potential reintroduction to their natural habitats.
Watatunga’s commitment to these species is a beacon of hope. Through their efforts in captive breeding programs, they are working to ensure that these species have a future. Their approach combines sustainable tourism practices with a dedication to preserving natural ecosystems, creating a safe haven where these species can thrive.
Our visits to Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park and Watatunga Wildlife Reserve were deeply inspiring. Seeing firsthand the dedication and hard work that goes into protecting threatened species reinforces our commitment to our mission. With over 30 zoos, wildlife parks, and wildlife rescue centres across the UK trusting Nature’s SAFE to support their conservation goals, we are proud to offer our biobanking services free of charge as a charity.
Our partnerships with these exceptional institutions highlights the power of collaboration in advancing conservation goals and promoting responsible stewardship of the natural world. By working together, we can make significant strides in protecting our planet’s wildlife and preserving biodiversity for future generations.
If you would like to learn more about how we can assist with your conservation efforts, please contact us at office@natures-safe.com. Together, we can make a difference in safeguarding the future of our planet’s wildlife.
Don’t miss
Nature’s SAFE are excited to announce that our co-founder and charity coordinator Dr Rhiannon Bolton has successfully published a new paper reviewing assisted reproductive technologies and biobanking.
As a growing charity, we are now looking to expand our scope beyond the UK by establishing global conservation hubs. Our vision is to work with local conservation services to preserve samples from native wildlife within their own country, enabling appropriate stewardship of these valuable resources.
In an exciting milestone for UK wildlife conservation, the charity has now safely stored cell tissues from the critically endangered Scottish wildcat, bringing their total number of species banked to 200.
Red-footed tortoise
Total Population: Unknown
Smew
Total Population: Around 80,000 in the wild
Mandarin duck
Total Population: Around 65,000 in the wild
Wolverine
Total Population: Around 13,000 in the wild
Asiatic Lion
Total Population: Around 650 in the wild
Black howler monkey
Total Population: Less than 5,000 in the wild
Babirusa
Total Population: Less than 10,000 in the wild
Hamerkop
Total Population: Unknown
Macaroni Penguin
Total Population: Around 12 million
Hyacinth macaw
Total Population: Around 6,500 in the wild
White naped mangabey
Total Population: Around 1,000 in the wild
Lesser Madagascan tenrec
Total Population: Unknown
Little egret
Total Population: 660,000 to 3,150,000 in the wild
Arctic wolf
Total Population: Around 200,000 in the wild
Sumatran laughing thrush
Total Population: 2,500 - 10,000 in the wild
Scimitar-horned oryx
Total Population: Around 400 in the wild
Bar-headed goose
Total Population: 97,000 - 118,000 in the wild
Guianan Squirrel Monkey
Total Population: Around 150,000 in the wild
Common Hippo
Total Population: Less than 150,000 in the wild
Eurasian Red Squirrel
Total Population: 120,000 to 160,000 in the wild
Spix’s night monkey
Total Population: Unknown
