A major family attraction in the East of England has announced changes due to industry legislation.
Roarr! Dinosaur Park has officially announced the upcoming closure of its Secret Animal Garden following a comprehensive consultation and evaluation of the park’s long-term strategy. The Norfolk-based attraction confirmed that the decision to remove the animal facilities was difficult but necessary to ensure the future sustainability of the business.
The primary driver behind this operational pivot is the increasing complexity of requirements associated with holding a zoo license. Management clarified that while the park has consistently and successfully met all welfare and regulatory standards, the landscape for operating animal attractions continues to shift. Consequently, the leadership team has taken the responsible step to cease operating animal facilities under zoo licensing moving forward.
The park acknowledges the strong emotional attachment visitors have to the area. “The Secret Animal Garden has been an integral and much-loved part of ROARR! for many years, and this decision has not been taken lightly,” the park said in an official statement. “We recognise the connection that many families have built with this area and our animals over time, and we want to thank our visitors for their continued support and understanding.”
Welfare at heart
Located within a walled Victorian garden, the Secret Animal Garden has long served as a haven for a diverse range of species. It is home to mammals such as rabbits and unique breeds like the Golden Guernsey Goat, alongside a variety of reptiles, including bearded dragons and snakes. The attraction is particularly well-known for its “Animal Encounters,” where guests can participate in keeper-led sessions to handle guinea pigs or learn about the distinct behaviours of the park’s residents, such as the “pop-corning” jumps of excited guinea pigs or the “binky” leaps of happy rabbits.
Immediate focus has now shifted to the welfare of these animals during the transition. Work is currently underway to secure suitable new homes for every resident, with the park emphasising that they are prioritising a stress-free relocation process and maintaining high welfare standards throughout the transition.
Visitors have a short window remaining to visit the area, as the Secret Animal Garden is scheduled to close to the public at the end of February. The operations team plans to have all animals successfully rehomed by the end of April at the latest.
Investment plans
Roarr! has operated as a family destination for 40 years, with the current custodians managing the site for the last two decades. Despite the removal of the live animal exhibits, the park intends to continue evolving its offerings. Future development plans will focus on expanding the range of other popular attractions to ensure the site remains a premier day-out destination for families.
A major investment in 2023 saw the addition of two junior Zamperla rides: Raptor Contraptor (Magic Bikes) and Swing-a-Saurus (Happy Swing 12) to the adventure park’s lineup. An expansion plan announced in 2022 included an additional 1.9-hectare investment that would bring in an additional 200,000 guests per annum.
Investments are also taking place elsewhere in the county of Norfolk, including Pensthorpe Nature Reserve, now home to a unique new celebrity-inspired garden experience.
Photo credits: Roarr!
