Rutland Wildlife Sanctuary hopes to gain charitable status to help protect the future of its big cats and birds

Wildlife enthusiasts are entering the new year with a renewed focus on protecting big cats and birds.

Rutland Falconry and Owl Centre has been rebranded as the trustees work towards gaining charitable status.

They hope the move will secure more funding for the centre, safeguarding its future and the futures of its feathered and furred inhabitants.

The centre will now be known as Rutland Wildlife Sanctuary, a change which means it will be subject to tighter controls on public access.

Owner Chris Lawton has run the centre since it opened in 2000. His focus has always been on the welfare of the animals and doing what is right for them.

He said: "I’d always had birds in my garden but I got too many so needed to find somewhere bigger. Rutland Falconry Centre was for sale at Greetham so I bought it and refurbished it, but that also got too small.”

Chris was offered the opportunity to lease the current site between Exton and Burley.

He said: “Looking after the birds is just something that's in me. I would rather talk to animals than people."

In the early days, Chris would take the birds out to shows but he later made changes, adding: “It wasn't right for the birds. It's better for people to come in and see them here. We have built it so the birds are in a natural environment.”

Chris now has 100 birds including owls, hawks, falcons, vultures and eagles.

In 2005 he took on his first big cat which was due to be put down because it was born without a tail. He learnt the ropes by visiting a leopard project and now looks after four pumas and a leopard.

Visitors will only be able to see the big cats on six specific open days in 2024. They live within the 42-acre site and are fed a diet of red meat, with chicken for the occasional treat, and any health issues are treated by Stamford Veterinary Centre.

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Securing charitable status will allow Chris and his volunteers to continue caring for the animals which mean so much to them.

Trustee Shar Bradford said: "The passion Chris has for the animals is second to none. He will sit with them for hours to bring them out of their shell and they are are all so happy.

"It's the passion Chris has that makes you want to help him.He will do anything ans everything for them.

"When you visit the sanctuary, nothing else matters. It's all about the wildlife and feeling close to nature. It clears your head and makes you realise what's important."

"It's a beautiful place and watching Chris with the animals is something special. He will do anything and everything for them."

Dates for the big cat open days are still to be released but details will be shared on the Rutland Wildlife Sanctuary website and Facebook page.

Details are also available of how to sponsor an animal or get closer to them by booking a hawk walk or barn owl experience.