About Us - History

The Wildlife Park first started as a private wild animal sanctuary in 1979, when a young injured jackdaw was brought to us to look after. 'Jack' recovered and soon became one of the family.

Since that time we have adopted many other injured victims and have hand reared countless orphaned animals such as foxes, hedgehogs, squirrels, rabbits, deer, polecats, bats, monkeys, owls, kestrels, sparrowhawks, swans, doves, ducks and many other species of birds.

In 1984 Terry Willers faced a dilemma when his building business could no longer support the animal sanctuary - due to the recession at the time. He therefore decided to open his home to the public in the hope that it would save the animals. Willersmill Wildlife Park was born!

Since then there have been many changes - including the recent addition of the Tigers, the rescued Lynx and Mountain Lions. Our conservation projects have included a Crayfish Rearing Project, featured on TV. And don't forget the countless 'minor' triumphs such as the animals which have been released back into the wild and the rescue of the catfish found dumped in a bin bag.

Many of the other exotic animals you see in the Park today come from zoos that have closed down, were unwanted pets or are part of captive breeding programmes in which we participate.