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Thu, 26 Feb 2026

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 Rescue centre at 'breaking point' over £40k bills

The Ark Wildlife Park is home to exotic animals such as crocodiles, monkeys and wildcats.
The Ark Wildlife Park, a rescue centre in Lincolnshire with 232 animals, is facing severe financial struggles. With running costs reaching £40,000 per month, owner Jamie Mintram has claimed they are at "breaking point". The park's outgoings include £5,000 in energy bills and expenses for food, site maintenance, medical care, and other operating costs. Mintram states that income from ticket sales and visitors is no longer sufficient to cover the bills. He is appealing for help and considering selling his house to ensure the park survives. The park's financial struggles are not new, with a crowdfunding appeal launched in 2020 to cover winter costs. The introduction of upcoming government legislation making it illegal to keep primates as pets without a licence could further strain the park's resources. Mintram estimates that up to 5,000 primates are currently kept in domestic settings in the UK and fears they will be dumped when the regulation takes effect. To combat this issue, Mintram is advocating for broader changes to the law to regulate the exotic pet trade and prevent animals from being euthanized if they cannot be rehomed. He believes that people need to be aware of the responsibilities involved in caring for exotic pets before taking them on.