Wildlife Heritage Foundation

In the Kentish countryside near the village of Smarden you can find the Wildlife Heritage Foundation (WHF). It is a thirty-eight acre sanctuary for big cats, and currently home to some of the most endangered cat species in the world. It is here that I shall be spending the next six months, as I am one of the latest recruits to join a voluntary internship. Like all good volunteers I'm keen to learn anything and everything about my new charges, and the idea behind this blog is to keep a record of my weekly activities and jot down a few of my thoughts from seeing how things work behind the scenes. Hopefully it will be an eye opening, exciting six months! 

The site has humble origins as the Big Cat Sanctuary owned by Malcom Dudding and used as a site to re-home rescued big cats with an association with Born Free. In June 2000 Paradise Wildlife Park owners, the Sampson family purchased the Big Cat Sanctuary with the aim to establish the site as a “conservation centre of excellence”. The Wildlife Heritage Foundation was consequentially established, and is now a registered charity enabling it to raise money to help fund in-situ big cat conservation projects. 

As with all good zoological sites WHF is concerned with scientific research, promotion and funding of field conservation projects and delivering an education program that promotes the importance of a bio-diversity, and explains the role of apex predators to visitors. 

The site itself is a haven for big cats, and not like the typical zoo. It is not fully open to the public, but instead has a number of open days in the summer months. There are a number of pre-bookable experiences that allow members of the public to see and support the site, including the very popular photographic workshops and big cat experiences. The majority of the time it is only the keepers and volunteers around site, allowing the cats to live peacefully.

WHF is an exciting venture still in relatively early years, with some interesting and bold aims, but I think it is certainly one to watch for the future and there is no question that the staff and army of volunteers are dedicated enough to reach those aims and beyond. I'm excited to be joining the team and can't wait to get stuck in! 

WHF site courtesy of WHF facebook page