Crocodiles of the World Shaun Foggett opens croc zoo!

ZooLeopard · 17 Feb 2011

Crocodile collector opens first UK centre (From Oxford Mail)

HIS unusual hobby has seen him dubbed the “British Crocodile Dundee”.
But Shaun Foggett, 31, is deadly serious about reptiles and has just opened the UK’s first crocodile and alligator zoo in Witney.
The father-of-three sold his family home to fund the new Crocodiles of the World centre in Crawley Mill, which will house more than 30 of the reptiles.
Mr Foggett turned his life-long love of crocodiles into a dedicated breeding programme aimed at helping some of the world’s most endangered animals.
He said: “I’m delighted it’s up and running. I’ve wanted to do it for a long time and it has been a struggle, but everything has now fallen into place.
“I admit it’s an unusual place to have a crocodile and alligator zoo, but I’m pleased people will now be able to see the conservation work we do and learn more about these amazing creatures.”
Mr Foggett first kept reptiles when he was 17 and started his crocodile and alligator collection, which requires a dangerous animals licence, nine years ago.
Last January the Oxford Mail revealed how 24 crocodiles and alligators lived in a purpose-built area at his home in Bibury Close, Witney.
The joiner saved for more than two years to secure the £100,000 start-up costs, and later sold his home to raise more cash.
Mr Foggett and his family – wife Lisa, 30, and children Billy, seven, Louie, five, and 20-month-old Shania – have moved into his brother’s house.
He said: “I loved having the animals at my home, but it was only going to be for a short amount of time while we set up the centre. It’s been a labour of love, but now I need to start making some money from it because I’ve run out. Crocs are intelligent, and the centre is all about conservation and education.”
Last night a new television show charting Mr Foggett’s quest to open the zoo aired on the Discovery Channel.
Viewers saw him visiting zoos and centres in the USA and Denmark to learn more about running his own.
Mr Foggett said: “It was an amazing experience.”
One of the star exhibits is a Siamese crocodile, which is so endangered only 200 now live in the wild.
Guests can see the crocodiles swimming underwater from special viewing areas and watch their life-cycle in the egg incubation and hatchling enclosures.
Other animals at the centre include a two-metre long monitor lizard, a four-metre reticulated python, a snapping turtle, a Meller’s chameleon and a pig-nosed turtle.
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Crocodiles of the World is only open to the general public on designated open days throughout the year.
The next will be on Sunday, March 13

Dom · 17 Feb 2011

This is just down the road from where I live, shame I won't be around on the 13th though.

Ned · 17 Aug 2011

So has anyone been watching the TV Series about Shaun Fogett? It's an interesting program and his zoo looks well worth a visit. It's ideally placed for a joint visit with Burford.

Mr.Weasel · 22 Aug 2011

I'd love to make a visit, it seems quite an impressive collection of crocodilians, I just have far too many constraints to actually make a visit.

I've also been trying my best to catch the TV series on Channel 5, but I always seem to miss it, and annoyingly, Channel 5 doesn't seem to want to upload it to their Demand 5 service!

Also, hey, ZooLeopard, fancy seeing you here!

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Crocodiles of the World Shaun Foggett opens croc zoo!

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Crocodiles of the World Shaun Foggett opens croc zoo!

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