S.O.S. Conservation Policy
Date of latest review: January 2026
Location: Suffolk Owl Sanctuary, Stonham Barns, Stowmarket, Suffolk
Prepared by: Conservation Officer
Our Charitable Objects
The advancement of animal welfare, particularly but not exclusively the welfare of owls. For the benefit of the public to relieve the suffering of animals in need of care and attention and, in particular, to provide and maintain rescue homes or other facilities for the reception, care, and treatment and successful, safe and healthy reproduction of such animals. To promote humane behaviour towards animals by providing appropriate care, protection, treatment and security for animals which are in need of care and attention by reason of sickness, maltreatment, poor circumstances or ill usage and to educate the public in matters pertaining to animal welfare in general and the prevention of cruelty and suffering among animals.
Our Mission Statement - Responsibilities as a Registered Charity
As a Registered Charity, under the current Trusteeship, S.O.S. has a charter to Members of the Public and to the Charities Commission to:
1. Inform, educate & advise about the lifestyles, habitats & conservation of owls, other birds of prey and animals.
2. Provide rescue & rehabilitation facilities for injured wild owls and other birds of prey
3. Initiate, implement, and monitor a regional nest box scheme that will encourage wild owls back to the countryside
4. Outreach with information on the above via visits & talks, publications, and the use of other media
5. Network & research with compatible organisations to further our knowledge of the above
6. At all times be morally, practically, financially & accurately accountable & transparent in our activities
Statement of need
The natural environment is facing exceptional pressures from habitat loss, climate change, pollution, and human expansion. As biodiversity declines, the only to safeguard individual species but to maintain the ecological balance upon which we all depend.
At the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary, we recognise that birds of prey, including owls, hawks, falcons, and vultures, are essential indicators of a healthy ecosystem. As predators and scavengers, raptors and vultures play a key role in regulating populations of rodents and smaller birds, contributing to natural pest control and the balance of other animal populations. Vultures, in particular, have the critical task of cleaning up carcasses, thereby preventing the spread of disease and promoting a healthy environment.
Unfortunately, raptors across the UK are facing numerous threats, many of which are driven by human activity. Habitat destruction, poisoning (from rodenticides and pesticides), illegal persecution, and collisions with vehicles/infrastructure are among the most significant dangers to these species. Barn owls, for example, are increasingly at risk due to the decline of traditional farmland habitats and the widespread use of chemicals that affect their prey base. The conservation of these raptors is urgently needed to help ensure the continued health of our landscapes.
Vultures, though more commonly associated with Africa and Asia, are also facing grave challenges, particularly in parts of Europe and Asia where they are being driven to the brink of extinction by poison contaminated carcasses, loss of feeding sites, and human-wildlife conflict. Vultures are often considered the "unsung heroes" of the ecosystem, and their decline has far-reaching consequences. Without vultures to consume carcasses, the spread of disease increases, creating serious risks for both wildlife and human populations.
We also recognise the broader conservation challenges facing other important species in the UK. Red squirrels are another iconic species in need of protection, with their populations dramatically reduced due to habitat loss, the spread of disease (particularly squirrelpox), and competition from the invasive grey squirrel.
Our sanctuary's work in raptor rehabilitation includes not only the care and recovery of injured birds of prey but also the release of these species back into their natural habitats where possible. Through showcasing our birds, breeding programs, public education, and partnerships with other conservation organisations, we aim to foster a greater understanding of the vital role raptors play in the ecosystem and promote sustainable practices that help protect them for future generations
Suffolk Owl Sanctuary's (SOS) Role in Conservation:
Suffolk Owl Sanctuary pursues its conservation mission by:
● Participating in conservation breeding programmes
● Giving priority to species that are threatened in the wild
● Increasing public understanding of the issues involved in conservation and the breeding of endangered species
● Engaging in conserving biodiversity, focusing on the protection and rehabilitation of birds of prey.
● Providing and protecting habitat and survival aids for native species.
● Developing its role as a centre for research
● Promoting care for the environment and leading by example
● Educating, and implementing involvement of local communities within conservation.
● Providing support for nature projects nationally.
● Playing a significant role nationally to conserve endangered species and improve
standards of animal welfare
● Encouraging and supporting scientific research for conservation and animal welfare benefits.
Suffolk Owl Sanctuary is committed to participating in conservation breeding programmes.
Current Status:
● Suffolk Owl Sanctuary has successfully bred critically endangered Hooded Vultures.
● Suffolk Owl Sanctuary is part of the EEP for European Red Squirrels, with the aim of breeding for long term release as dictated by the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) recommendations. Alongside vital conservation research for the species.
● As of May 2025 Suffolk Owl Sanctuary is home to a pair of white-backed vultures, with the aim of breeding.
2024 - 2030 Plan:
● To become part of the EEP for vulture conservation (Hooded Vultures, African White Backed Vultures, and Rüppell's Griffon Vultures), and offer progeny to species pools curated by the Horstmann Trust in preparation for re-introducing them to the wild.
●To continue having animals from our collection in managed breeding programs alongside ambassador animals which will contribute to direct conservation. By 2030 we want to aim to participate in at least 6 studbooks.
● To continue to undertake activities as recommended by respective programme coordinators for species on existing conservation breeding programmes.
● To continue to develop the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary’s Collection Plan to participate in further conservation breeding programmes to increase the animal collection conservation contribution.
● To support staff in attending conferences and workshops hosted by IAATE, BIAZA, ABWAK etc. to further skills and knowledge to enable more successful participation in conservation breeding programmes.
● To hold less Least Concern species and increase the number of Vulnerable - Critically Endangered species at the centre by 2030.
Suffolk Owl Sanctuary is committed to being actively involved in the protection of wild animals in their natural habitat.
Current Status:
● Suffolk Owl Sanctuary has been committed to providing care and rehabilitation for injured and otherwise traumatised birds, and preparing them for re-release into the wild since 1995, becoming a registered charity in 2001.
● Continuing to ring birds for research.
● Suffolk Owl Sanctuary works with local landowners where we install and manage a series of off-site hack pens for long term rehab birds and youngsters.
● Suffolk Owl Sanctuary offer Hedgehog care & rehabilitation facilities to a local charity, Suffolk Prickles Hedgehog
Rescue, to provide space for 50-60 hedgehogs per year in the later stages of recuperation or during hibernation, through to release.
● Suffolk Owl Sanctuary runs the Wild Owl Nest Box Scheme, siting, erecting, curating and recording progeny activity at (~40) Barn Owl, Tawny Owl, Little Owl and Kestrel boxes at select locations throughout the county. Which has also created a positive platform delivering more scientific results to aid research.
2024 - 2030 Plans:
● To continue setting future goals for sustainability and wildlife protection.
● To continue to provide care and rehabilitation for injured and otherwise traumatised birds.
● To continue to prepare rehabilitated birds for re-release back into the wild.
● To continue to work alongside Suffolk Prickles Hedgehog Rescue.
To continue to work with landowners to expand our locations of hack pens
and nest boxes.
● To positively contribute to, and assist with the nation-wide need for larger flight test pens to enable the successful rehab of larger birds like buzzards, kites and harriers requiring treatment, of which increasing numbers are prevalent in East Anglia.
● To locate, build, and curate our own so we can rehab larger birds from across the region. During our five year building plan of which commences Spring 2025.
● To continue to run and expand our Wild Owl Nest Box Scheme.
● To continue to actively seek and add more landowners to the five existing local farmers who currently work with us by hosting and actively monitoring our hack pens and act as spotters for the nest box scheme.
Suffolk Owl Sanctuary is committed to contributing part of the staff’s time and to support conservation projects situated off site of the centre.
● Suffolk Owl Sanctuary works with Nature’s SAFE to contribute to vital conservation. Nature's SAFE is a charity safeguarding the future of our natural world by preserving live cells of animals at risk of extinction. They collect, store and regenerate reproductive cells and cell lines from endangered species. By being a part of Nature’s SAFE we are able to donate samples from endangered species such as our Hooded Vultures.
● Suffolk Owl Sanctuary helps with the Predatory Bird Monitoring Scheme (PBMS) where we send off deceased hospital birds that have been in our care less than 7 days. The PBMS is a long-term, national monitoring initiative designed to measure the levels of contaminants in the livers and eggs of selected predatory bird species across Britain. Their aim is to determine the causes and effects of variations in these contaminants between species and regions, and how they change over time. These findings can provide vital information on the risks to vertebrate wildlife and people, and how to mitigate them.
● Suffolk Owl Sanctuary helps the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s partnership project Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels to train their detection dogs to identify the presence or absence of Grey Squirrels. Samples from our Red Squirrels get sent to train the dogs.
● Suffolk Owl Sanctuary prides themselves in sending members of staff to other centres and charities to take part and assist in further vital conservation efforts.
2024 - 2030 plans:
● To continue fundraising efforts through new income streams to further financially support off site conservation projects.
● To continue to work with charities such as Nature’s SAFE to continue to contribute to vital conservation and assist with crucial research to save species.
● To continue to enable more opportunities for staff to undertake conservation work for both native and exotic species.
Suffolk Owl Sanctuary is committed to increasing public understanding of the issues involved in conservation and the breeding of endangered species.
Current status:
● Suffolk Owl Sanctuary ensures information in regards to conservation projects is made available to visitors. This is via signage, public displays, animal encounters, educational sessions and events, an online advertisement and social media and additionally via published media.
● Suffolk Owl Sanctuary displays educational material onsite and digitally to all visitors which conveys the centre's conservation work in regards to all aspects.
● Suffolk Owl Sanctuary promotes public education and raises awareness via our community outreach programs in regards to conservation of biodiversity.
2024 - 2030 plans:
● To continue to develop onsite and digital information for centre visitors, to raise awareness of conservation and Suffolk Owl Sanctuary’s conservation outputs.
● To increase conservation education output by implementing further learning programs.
● To expand our conservation and conservation education team to work with guests and the general public in conveying our conservation messages.
Suffolk Owl Sanctuary is committed to promoting care of the environment and leading by positive example.
Current status:
● Suffolk Owl Sanctuary is committed to the conservation of native species through direct action and conservation education efforts, raising public awareness and inspiring future generations.
● Suffolk Owl Sanctuary actively seeks to promote public awareness of sustainability issues via a variety of media including, digital and published as well as through educational programs.
● Suffolk Owl Sanctuary encourages visitors to actively participate in changing their behaviours to directly impact the environment around them and therefore conserve our local areas.
● Suffolk Owl Sanctuary strives to reduce its environmental footprint and continually research and implement new aspects of being environmentally responsible.
● As of July 2025, Suffolk Owl Sanctuary has a successful hive of European Honey Bees (Apis mellifera)
2024 - 2030 plan:
● To research and implement ways to record and monitor the carbon footprint of Suffolk Owl Sanctuary operations.
● To increase public awareness of sustainability issues via additional publication online and through the website.
● To further investigate options and increase the use of sustainable initiatives on the centres site
Suffolk Owl Sanctuary is committed to Conservation Education.
Current Status:
● Utilising talks and demonstrations, education sessions and conservation signage, we are able to inform, educate and inspire visitors about the habitats, lifestyles, food chains, and conservation needs of both native and non-native species to reinforce the importance of preserving biodiversity.
● Hosting ‘Wild Club’, a conservation education summer school which started summer 2025, where participants can actively play a role in conservation of native and non-native species.
2024 - 2030 plan:
● To continue to engage, educate and inspire the public to actively take part in conservation efforts for both native and non-native species.
● To continue to incorporate biodiversity conservation into learning programmes
● To introduce further education courses and schemes, to enable conservation to be at the forefront of our local education systems.
● To ensure all programmes, courses and placements will be evaluated, and continually updated to ensure effectiveness and positive impact.
Suffolk Owl Sanctuary is committed to continuing to be environmentally friendly and sustainable.
Current status:
● Suffolk Owl sanctuary is committed to protecting biodiversity within the centre by leaving parts for our rewilding projects, protecting native species of insects and plants.
● Suffolk Owl Sanctuary is committed to play a vital role in being as sustainable as possible by recycling, upcycling materials and being as self sufficient as possible.
2024 - 2030 plan:
● To expand our rewilding projects to Suffolk and Norfolk by getting communities to engage with native conservation within their own gardens.
● Sourcing merchandise made from recycled materials and items that promote conservation and biodiversity.
● To continue to maintain sustainability on site and research and put into place additional ways to reduce our carbon footprint and we aim to eliminate single use plastic.