Page 82 - World of Animals - Issue #41

Zoos of the world
The Big Cat

Sanctuary The

enclosure
offers
amazing,
close-up
photograph
opportunities with
Home to numerous beautiful the residents
and endangered cats and one

particular wildlife celebrity

See it for yourself
WWW.WHF.ORG.UK
Location
Kent, England
Admission
Dependant
How to get there
Leave the M20 at the Leeds Castle Exit on
Junction 8. The sanctuary is approximately
15 minutes away. From there follow the
signs to Headcorn village and then to
Smarden, which is the next village on. The Big Cat
Sanctuary
With over 50 big cats, including African
lions, Sumatran tigers, pumas, jaguars and
Amur leopards, The Big Cat Sanctuary
is not a typical zoo. Located in the heart
of the Kent countryside, the 32-acre land
began as a refuge for big cats that had been
rescued from less than desirable homes.
The site has a personal approach to their
wildlife residents. Visitors are not required
to pay an entrance fee and simply walk in,
but can purchase one-on-one experiences
with the cats, such as Big Cat Encounters,
photographic workshops, Ranger Days and
other bespoke events.
Visitors learn about the work being
done to save what are some of the most
iconic yet endangered species on the
planet. The charity also hosts a number
of events throughout the year to raise
funds and awareness of the in-situ
conservation projects they support. The
Big Cat Sanctuary is a leading conservation
organisation of wild cats in the UK. With the
dedication of the Sampson family, who own
Paradise Wildlife Park, in Hertfordshire, the
facility has thrived in its ethos to give the
animals an excellent quality of life in captivity,
and is the largest breeding centre for cats
in the UK operating within the European
Endangered Species Breeding Programme.
“Visitors can

purchase one-on- Many of the cats in the sanctuary
are part of a European breeding
one experiences programme to ensure a healthy
genetic population in captivity, and
with the cats” safeguard the future of the species

82

082-085_WOA41_Zoos Cat Sanctuary.indd 82 30/11/2016 18:00