The Big Cat Sanctuary’s story began with founder Peter Sampson’s heartfelt rescue of a tiger cub named Rocky from a circus. What started as a single act of compassion has grown into a powerful mission, transforming the lives of wild cats around the world.
On the 1st June 2000, Peter bought Marley Farm which then became Wildlife Heritage Foundation which is now known as The Big Cat Sanctuary.
Today, our sanctuary stands as a testament to Peter’s vision, relentless dedication and unwavering commitment to providing these magnificent creatures with the care and freedom they deserve. We’re proud of our legacy.
The Big Cat Sanctuary in 2010
The Big Cat Sanctuary in 2020
The Big Cat Sanctuary in 2025
This June, the Sanctuary begins celebrating 25 years of Conservation, Breeding, Education, Welfare, and Rescue. As a globally recognised leader in wild cat conservation, The Big Cat Sanctuary remains committed to preserving the future of wild cats through collaboration, effective rescue efforts, and raising awareness.
Our five pillars are at the heart of everything we do. The Sanctuary continues to innovate, ensuring the welfare of our cats by continuously improving and renovating habitats, such as the opening of the brand new Lion Rescue Centre.
Our breeding programme remains strong, with snow leopards Laila and Yarko expecting their fourth litter. Several other cats at the sanctuary are already parents, with further breeding recommendations across various species. In our 25 year history, 32 cubs have been born at the Sanctuary. Education remains a core pillar, and we’ve created absorbing, state-of-the-art learning environments like the Clouded leopard enclosure and our Conservation Hub.
We proudly support incredible conservation partners across the globe, even sending members of the team at the Sanctuary, and our sister site at Hertfordshire Zoo, to assist with their vital work. We continue to respond when needed, rescuing cats in crisis, such as Yuna, Rori, Lira, Amani, and Vanda, the five lions saved from war-torn Ukraine.
As we reflect on the past 25 years, we honour the people who made everything possible, including the Sampson / Whitnall family. From founder Peter Sampson, whose impact on animal welfare and conservation continues to inspire future generations, to Managing Director Cam Whitnall, whose recent rescue missions have captured hearts and inspired conservation efforts across the globe.
Every pawprint in our Sanctuary’s history tells a story, such as Maya, a jaguar hand-reared by Giles Clark and our dedicated team, to Yuna, an adult lion walking on grass for the very first time. But none of these moments would be possible without our incredible members and supporters, who help turn rescue, breeding, and conservation dreams into reality. For that, we are beyond grateful.
While we’re incredibly proud of how far we’ve come, we know there’s still so much to achieve in our support for cat species threatened in the wild. With exciting new projects on the horizon, and your continued support by our side, the next chapter of The Big Cat Sanctuary promises to be our most impactful yet.
Thank you for being part of our journey, and we look forward to another 25 years, and beyond.