By Isle of Wight Observer
Sandown’s Wildheart Animal Sanctuary welcomed local supporters to the official opening of its new Crayfish Conservation Centre this week.
The Wildheart Trust, a registered charity, which runs the sanctuary, aims to make a meaningful impact on the health of the natural world while actively improving the well-being of animals in human care. The trust provides funding and technical support to in-situ conservation programmes for tigers in India, lemurs in Madagascar, and native species here in the UK. It is hoped Britain’s only native crayfish species will thrive at the centre, and contribute to the trust’s ‘Southern Chalk Streams’ project.
Sandown’s Mayor, Alex Lightfoot, who cut the ribbon to open the centre, said: “This new facility combines education and conservation, is welcoming to all generations, and reflects the hard work of the dedicated team at the trust.”
The Crayfish Centre has been developed, in partnership with the Hampshire & IW Wildlife Trust and Bristol Zoological Society (BZS). Dr Jen Nightingale, from the society, said: “I am delighted that BZS has brought the endangered, white-clawed crayfish to the Island. The team at Wildheart have worked tirelessly to create a fabulous crayfish centre and display for the animals, which will fascinate and inspire visitors.”