An award-winning exotic animal sanctuary near Boston turns 10 years old this week – and, to mark the occasion, is cutting the price of admission for the rest of the year.

Ark Wildlife Park, in Stickney, officially opened on October 16, 2016, making tomorrow (Friday) its 10th anniversary.

The site – a popular family day out – is home to more than 200 animals.

The vast majority of these come from the exotic pet trade, private owners or animal welfare organisations.

placeholder image — Lana, the white fox.

Many arrive after being kept in unsuitable conditions, confiscated by authorities or surrendered when owners realise they cannot meet their complex needs, the Ark says. Some arrive with medical or behavioural issues resulting from their earlier experiences and require specialist care for the rest of their lives, it adds.

Over the past decade, the team there have been asked to provide a permanent home for a wide range of animals, including wildcats, primates, foxes, raccoons, meerkats, and reptiles.

They include:

a caiman that had previously been kept in a bathtub
a serval and a white fox that were confiscated by Belgium authorities after being kept illegally, in unsuitable conditions, by private owners
an F1 Savannah cat (a cross involving an African serval) that was seized by UK authorities after being illegally brought into the country from Russia

Rudolph, the caiman, who was found in a bath tub.

A spokesman for the site said: “Their stories illustrate one of the messages the Ark has worked to communicate throughout its first decade – exotic animals can have highly specialised welfare, housing, dietary and behavioural needs and many species simply do not make suitable household pets.”

The Ark’s work has received widespread recognition, including two BBC Make a Difference awards, as well as other awards.

Alongside the animals, the site has a number of other attractions, including ‘Jurassic Ark’, a year-round dinosaur experience with life-sized models and moving, roaring animatronic dinosaurs. Jamie Mintram, owner of Ark Wildlife Park, said: “Reaching our 10th birthday is a huge milestone for everyone who has been part of the Ark. “When we opened to the public on October 16, 2016, our aim was to create something a little different – a place where animals from the exotic pet trade could be given a safe, permanent home, while allowing visitors to meet them, hear their stories and hopefully understand why so many exotic species don'’t make suitable pets. “Over those 10 years we have had some extraordinary animals come through our gates. Some of their stories have been incredibly sad, but seeing an animal settle into the right environment and knowing it has a secure home for the rest of its life makes all the hard work worthwhile.”

Continuing, he said: “We also wanted the Ark to be somewhere families genuinely enjoy visiting. You can come and see rescued wildcats, foxes, primates and reptiles, walk among dinosaurs, let the kids loose in the play areas and finish the day with a coffee and a slice of cake – while knowing that your visit is directly supporting the animals.”

Flerken, the F1 Savannah cat seized by UK authorities after being illegally brought into the country from Russia.

To mark its 10th anniversary, the Ark is cutting admission prices to £10 per person for October, November and December. Children under two will continue to receive free admission. “Times are financially difficult for lots of families, so £10 for 10 Years is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to everyone who has supported us during our first decade and hopefully giving even more people the chance to discover the Ark,” Jamie said. Every ticket purchased contributes towards the cost of caring for the sanctuary’s animals, the Ark says, including specialist diets, veterinary treatment, heating, staffing, enrichment and the construction and maintenance of appropriate enclosures.

For visitor information and ticket booking, visit www.arkwildlifepark.co.uk.