Ark Wildlife Park near Boston, Lincolnshire, which cares for 232 exotic animals including meerkats, crocodiles, snakes, and wildcats, is facing severe financial strain with monthly running costs reaching £40,000. Owner Jamie Mintram highlighted that income from visitors no longer covers expenses such as energy, food, medical care, and maintenance. The park, which also functions as an animal refuge and dinosaur attraction, has previously relied on crowdfunding and personal sacrifices to survive, and is now urgently seeking public support amid rising bills driven by the cost of living crisis.

Mintram also expressed concern about upcoming government legislation requiring licenses to keep primates privately, which could lead to an influx of abandoned animals needing rescue. With an estimated 5,000 primates kept as pets in the UK, the park anticipates a surge in demand for rehoming services, a challenge compounded by limited rescue facilities and the high costs of caring for exotic species. The park advocates for tighter regulations on the exotic pet trade to prevent animal suffering and reduce the risk of euthanasia for unrehomed animals.