Conservation
The Park has developed a remarkable collection of rare and endangered animals over the years, the majority of which are “captive-bred” and involved in breeding programmes. Today, we manage five conservation projects:
Project 1) Bali Starlings
The Bali Starling is close to extinction in the wild with as few as 20 birds left on the Island of Bali, all of which are cared for in Bali Barat Reserve. Beale Park is involved in the UK conservation initiative run by the Zoo Federation (BIAZA).
Project 2) British Trust Ornithology (BTO) Ringing Programme
The Park became a ringing station as part of the BTO’s national scheme six years ago. This enables the tracking and monitoring of bird movement and migration.
Project 3) Green Peafowl
Beale Park has successfully kept Green Peafowl for 20 years with heightened success in the mid 90’s when two breeding birds where sent back to Malaysia as part of a release scheme.
Project 4) Mountain Peacock Pheasant
A pair of Mountain Peacock Pheasants are exhibited in the new Australian walk-through aviary which are part of a breeding programme managed by an international Studbook. The Park is also involved in a release programme run by the Malaysian Government and has supplied radio collars funded by our ‘Feed for Conservation’ initiative.
Project 5) Water Voles re-introduction programme
Water Voles are rapidly decreasing in numbers throughout the UK, and particularly in Berkshire, due to the disturbance of their habitat and the introduction of mink. Beale Park is running a breeding programme with stock from Wildwood in Kent (a breeding centre for British Wildlife) in a bid to re-introduce them to the Park and surrounding waterways.
