Our History
Shepreth Wildlife Park first started as a private sanctuary in 1979, when a young injured jackdaw was homed and rehabilitated.
‘Jack’ the jackdaw soon recovered and became one of the family. Others followed Jack, and those that could not be released back into the wild lived out their life in the sanctuary. Eventually it was opened up to the public in 1984 and, back then, known as Willers Mill Wild Animal Sanctuary.
Today, Shepreth Wildlife Park is still passionate about conservation and raising awareness and funds for wildlife worldwide. Alongside the charity, Shepreth Wildlife Park has donated over £200,000 to conservation projects around the world and participates in international breeding programmes for endangered species.
The Park had managed a hedgehog re-habilitation for the past 35 years but the project had outgrown its facilities and was in desperate need of expansion and new funds. The Shepreth Wildlife Conservation Charity (SWCC) was then founded to develop the existing Hedgehog Hospital. It was also set up to grow the wider conservation activities, raising greater funds and building more awareness of endangered species – to help save the world’s wildlife. After all, this is our planet, so it’s our responsibility to look after it and all the species we share it with.
SWCC continues to enjoy close links with Shepreth Wildlife Park and makes use of the Park in the charity’s fundraising activities.
Christmas Hedgehog Ball
Shepreth Wildlife Park is turning 40 this year! Celebrate with us on December 21st 2024 at King’s College, Cambridge. All proceeds are in aid of the SWCC Hedgehog Hospital.