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Owl sanctuary in Stonham Aspal prepares to welcome back visitors on April 12




An owl sanctuary is preparing to reopen its doors to the public for the first time after being closed for much of the last 12 months.

Suffolk Owl Sanctuary, a bird of prey centre based at Stonham Barns in Stonham Aspal, is focused on conservation and education and, much like zoos, has had to pay for the upkeep of animals throughout lockdown.

A dedicated team of staff and volunteers has continued to look after the birds and animals that make Suffolk Owl Sanctuary their home, as well as assisting with the rescue and rehabilitation of many wild birds of prey through the on-site hospital.

Suffolk owl sanctuary at Stonham Barns is getting ready to reopen to visitors post lockdown on April 12, pictured is Rufus Samkin with Cecil - a spectacled owl...Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography.
Suffolk owl sanctuary at Stonham Barns is getting ready to reopen to visitors post lockdown on April 12, pictured is Rufus Samkin with Cecil - a spectacled owl...Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography.

Suffolk Owl Sanctuary will be reopening on Monday, in line with the next stage of the Government’s roadmap.

Centre manager Maz Robinson said staff were counting down the days.

“We are very excited to be reopening next week and look forward to welcoming visitors back to Suffolk Owl Sanctuary,” she said.

“Our birds have really missed human interaction during the lockdown and our staff can’t wait to get back to a new normal.”

Despite the difficulties brought on by lengthy closures, the centre has remained busy, launching virtual sessions for schools in October, enabling the sanctuary to continue meeting its education goals.

The sessions can cover a range of topics, from food chains and habitats to the history of falconry and the importance of conservation.

Suitable for audiences of all ages, they often feature a live owl on camera.

The sanctuary has enjoyed a fantastic response to the sessions, not just from local schools and groups, but from as far afield as Scotland.

In addition to the educational aspect of its work, the sanctuary has been taking care of sick and injured birds brought in by members of the public.

The most common species taken in are barn, tawny and little owls, kestrels, buzzards and sparrowhawks, with road traffic collisions and young birds struggling with bad weather being responsible for many of the cases.

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