The Former Rutland Sanctuary Zoo - East Midlands
A two hour drive saw us heading south one midweek evening to what had been described by youtubers as ‘An abandoned zoo with animals left behind!’. Now my understanding is that a zoo with live animals still inside isn’t abandoned, either this or YouTube thumbnails and clickbait titles weren’t being honest with there viewers?, ill let you decide on that one.
We arrived not really knowing what to expect as in recent weeks the place had blown up online and we were only really visiting due to being in the area anyway for some drain fun. Parking up down the road it started to rain but we managed to get over the road and into the forest for cover before getting a soaking. On approach the whole place seemed dead as if no one was on site, not wanting to chance it we moved with caution and kept noise to a minimum.
In the distance a perimeter of Heras fencing gave way to what looked like a dilapidated building. The place had been shut for over two years by the time we arrived that evening but in recent weeks it had received quite a lot of damage, presumably by vandals and would be explorers. A quick scan of the building revealed a smashed window leading straight inside, the first thing to notice was just how warm it was in this place. The greenhouse design along with heavy insulation provided a constant humid environment for the exotic inhabitants but for us the place just felt like a sauna.
There were remnants of its previous hosts such as snake skins littering the floor and breeding tanks in situ. For the most part however the place had been heavily smashed and plastered with youtube stickers. It did have a certain photogenic appeal about it and was at least worth checking out whilst nearby.
History
“The former Rutland Sanctuary Zoo announced back in late 2022 that it was closing to the public due to high running costs. The Zoo was relatively small but housed an array of exotic animals such as Meerkats, Lizards, Snakes, Birds and more. The sanctuary previously reduced its hours in September 2022, opening only on weekends in an effort to manage the soaring energy costs. Originally named Bugtopia, the zoo was taken over in September 2020, rebranded as Rutland Sanctuary Zoo, and reopened in May 2021 after delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Previous owners Jez and Joanna, a married couple who were gifted the facility by the former owners after reaching out about an animal in need, managed the zoo throughout the pandemic lockdowns. The zoo has been a hub for educational experiences for visitors of all ages, but the rising operational costs have now made it impossible to continue. In a heartfelt announcement, the couple said, "We are heartbroken to announce that we have to close our doors at this time due to the energy crisis, which has impacted us so severely. Sadly, we’re not alone in this, as other small family-run zoos face similar struggles. This crisis has affected everyone’s daily life."
