Jimmy's Farm and Wildlife Park in Suffolk, co-founded by TV presenter Jimmy Doherty and his wife Michaela, has been recognized as England's 'Large Visitor Attraction of the Year' by VisitEngland. The park, which began in 2003 as a rare-breed pig farm, has since expanded significantly over two decades into a substantial attraction featuring a wildlife park, restaurant, shop, and children's play area. Doherty estimates the continuous expansion and upgrades have cost "untold millions."
What started as a modest farm has evolved partly out of necessity, with Doherty stating that the need to re-home animals has driven much of the park's development. Over the years, the park has become home to approximately 100 different species and breeds, including rescued animals like polar bears, monkeys, and tapirs. The wildlife park also houses Europe's largest polar bear reserve.
Doherty described the process of managing such a large attraction as challenging, noting that "Animals are easy, people are difficult, and red tape is always very difficult." Despite these hurdles, he expressed that their local council has been supportive of the park's mission to rescue animals and develop reserves.
The park's immediate focus is on a campaign called "Bear Behind Bars," aimed at raising £500,000 to rescue five South Korean moon bears, also known as Asiatic black bears, from bear bile farming. This practice, though banned in South Korea, has left numerous bears in cages without access to sanctuaries. Doherty detailed the dire conditions these bears endure, some of whom have been in metal cages for up to 20 years, with inadequate food and water. The plan is to build a dedicated reserve at the park to provide care and aid their recovery from physical and mental trauma.
Doherty maintains a hands-on role at the farm, with his daily tasks varying from overseeing waste management to planning new areas for the park. His television career, which began with the BBC series "Jimmy's Farm" in 2004, has brought recognition, though he believes both notoriety and the park's inherent appeal contribute to its success. He stated that "people see animals on TV and want to come and have a look," but emphasized that they still navigate the same regulatory processes as any other enterprise.
With a 35-year plan for the future in place, Jimmy's Farm and Wildlife Park is also engaged in various projects and charities, alongside continuous efforts in creating new enclosures and habitats.