Fun Facts Friday | Posted on March 19th, 2021 | return to news
5 fun facts about Ferndown Zoo
You may think there are a few little monkeys in Ferndown, but did you know that between 1947 until 1954 there was a zoo in the town itself? It was more-or-less opposite where the MS Foodhall is today.
Here are a few fun facts about the controversial attraction that was owned by Mrs Dorothy Sadler.
1
The small zoo housed exotic animals and a pets’ corner in the backyard of Mrs Sadler’s house called Sunnylands in Ringwood Road.
2
Among the animals were bears, silver foxes, monkeys, a gorilla, leopards and two lions Ajax and Leonora.
3
Ajax used to roar throughout the night scaring residents who lived in fear he would escape. More than 80 neighbours protested.
4
When a python went missing a local school was closed for two days until it was caught.
5
In 1953 the rural district council decided to close the zoo when the planning permission expired. Following failed appeals and a reprieve to allow to operate as a pets’ corner the zoo closed and the animals were sold.
Further reading: Ferndown Before the Bulldozers and Builders Moved In by Brian Davis
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