Some attractions have just waved goodbye after more than four decades. Seaview Wildlife Encounter, previously Flamingo Park, has gone and there’s no going back for the site after 44 years. The wildlife park in Ryde on the Isle of Wight, which is managed by a family, announced it would be closing on Sunday due to a number of ‘internal and external factors’.
Why It Is Closing Down?
The owners cited the seasonal nature of the business and growing regulatory pressure as their reasons for closing up shop. They also voiced concerns that there will be even more legislation and regulation governing wildlife parks, which has been very heavy hand over the last several years. These issues coupled with increasing operational costs and fallow visitors to help pay the park’s expenses made it hard to keep the park going.
A History of Conserving Wildlife
Founders Peter and Margaret Adams established the park in 1971, originally known as Flamingo Park until its name change to Seaview Wildlife Encounter in 2010. It grew to become a popular attraction over the years for visitors to experience up close with various animals, such as meerkats, wallabies, flamingos, pelicans and otters — and of course the ever-popular Humboldt penguins. For its dedication to wildlife conservation and education, the park has received many awards as well an equally loyal audience.
Community Reaction
People who have been coming to the store and other locals have expressed a wave of sadness and nostalgia about the sudden closure. We invited our readers to share their memories of the park and there are some wonderful tributes, underscoring the same special essence and spirit that offered so much joy to families through those decades. Ever since, the park’s Facebook page has been inundated with tributes and condolences for the Waterloo Road institution.
Future of the Animals
The park’s residents will always be a priority in terms of welfare. The owners of the land have assured that all birds and animals “will be relocated to an appropriate environment.” And there will be a top end retirement home for the parks iconic arthritic penguin Dippy, who wears his own made-to-measure shoes. We are currently working to make sure each animal can relocate to a space where it can continue living life well.”
Impact on Local Tourism
The Island loses a huge tourist attraction with the closure of Seaview Wildlife Encounter. It is likely that residents and tourists alike will miss having one of the island’s top attractions. Full-fledged parks are likely to differ from one another thanks to the more interactive experiences that they are able to provide, which will leave many on the hunt for their nearest park as a must-visit destination. The closure of the park could now have economic repercussions for local businesses that benefited from the crowds of tourists.
Looking Ahead
Seaview Wildlife Encounter owners say the closure is ‘bittersweet’ but hope memories of it will live on for years to come after announcing the plans closure last month They express sincere gratitude to visitors and staff members that allowed the park to be a success. While the animals move onto new homes, Seaview Wildlife Encounter lives on in the memories of those who fostered their journey.
Closure of the park highlights the difficulties for family owned attractions hitting out in an increasingly regulatory and economically challenging time. It emphasizes the need to patronize local businesses and conservation efforts to save such beloved institutions for posterity.
