Meet exotic animals and learn their stories at UK’s most northerly sanctuary
Geckos, meerkats and raccoon dogs are not the usual creatures you would expect roaming on an island off the coast of Scotland, but Fernvalley Wildlife Centre on Orkney’s mainland is their home.
Because there are so few places to see exotic animals up close and learn about their stories, the UK’s most northerly wildlife park is well worth a visit.
And, if you have not yet ventured here, it is located not far from Tingwall ferry. Although Fernvalley is registered as a zoo with the authorities, owner Gill Farrer prefers to call it a “sanctuary” as it provides shelter for abandoned and neglected animals and pets.
Family owned Fernvalley has been open to the public since August 2017. On arrival, when you walk into the tearoom, you will be given a warm welcome by staff. The first things that will amaze you before you even catch a glimpse of your first animal is the cakes! Then, as you walk around the park, you will be amazed at Fernvalley’s wildlife wonders.
There are slender-tailed meerkats, ring-tailed lemurs, raccoon dogs, lizards, snakes, birds and frogs. You’ll also see some yellow-bellied sliders and giant African land snails on your visit. And you will love their names. For example, the giant snails are called Shrek and Fiona!
The wildlife centre is great for families as so much care and attention has been given, not only to its exotic residents, but to its young visitors, too. There are activity points dotted throughout the park with colouring stations and information posts, each explaining the animals’ stories. There’s also an outside play area and fairy garden.
Now, a wee word of warning – as Fernvalley’s mission is to provide a home to abandoned animals, reading their touching stories about how they came to be there can be an emotional experience.
For Gill, these stories are the essence of the park. She is delighted to have saved dozens of animals in the seven years she’s run the shelter.
The animal lover has recently taken in two axolotls, Nimue and Morgana, which take the total number of animals in her and the six zookeepers’ care to 60.
“We started with a green iguana, a gecko and a lizard,” she says. “They were our first arrivals. We had them before we opened Fernvalley to the public. Now, we have about 60 animals and invite people to wander round on their own and read the little story cards about them and where they have come from. That’s the important thing. Visitors learn about their habitat in the wild and how we are trying to give them as good a life as possible.”
Gill added: “At 11.30am we have a meerkat talk then at 1.45pm one of the snakes comes out for a meet and greet, so you can get a chance to hold or stroke them.
“The animals all get fed between 11am and 2pm and the keepers are usually about, so you can ask them any questions.”
Fernvalley began in 2017 when Gill and daughter Lisa relocated to the area. Lisa was fed up hearing about mistreated animals in the pet sector, so dreamed of opening a sanctuary.