One of New Zealand's best-named wildlife parks is for sale.
“Owlcatraz” Native Bird and Wildlife Park in Shannon, 35 kilometres south of Palmerston North, sits on 6.67ha of bushland surrounding a natural wetland catchment.
Native birds displayed in “Owlcatraz”’s purpose-built enclosures throughout the park’s mature bush and stream-fed lake include morepork, North Island weka, while the bush attracts a variety of other native bird species. Guided tours of the property also introduce guests to donkeys, alpacas, fallow deer, a pig, and cattle. Meanwhile, a variety of other small birds and animals – including a miniature horse, rabbits, and guinea pigs roam in a secluded picnic and play area.
Supporting building infrastructure on the property includes the original Shannon jail house dating back to 1911. The jail was last used to house law-breakers in 1972, when it was decommissioned. “Owlcatraz” acquired the lease for the historic building in 1996, and it now houses what is believed to be New Zealand’s biggest collection of ornamental owls – totalling more than 1000 display pieces.
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Other structures on the property encompass a four-bedroom owner/managers residence, a man-made semi-submerged cavern complex leading to a 'glow worm' cave complex, a purpose-built owl enclosure, and a Thomas the Tank Engine-themed miniature railway operation - complete with its own ‘station’ and passenger platform.
Bayleys agents Justin Pape, Paul Hofmann and Shelley Grieve said that while “Owlcatraz” had historically conducted guided tour to view the wildlife, the business had the potential to become a vertically-integrated hospitality operation.
Mr Pape said there were multiple business expansion opportunities for “Owlcatraz” to appeal to a much bigger market – underpinned by taking advantage of a large underutilised open grassed area overlooking the property’s bush boundary.
“With picturesque views over the mature landscaped parkland and wetland areas, the “Owlcatraz” property could be developed into a licensed events venue servicing the wedding and private functions markets out of the Manawatu and Kapiti Coast/Horowhenua regions,” Mr Pape said.
“Depending on the cash reserves and business plans of potential buyers, development of “Owlcatraz”’s hospitality potential could be implemented on a gradually-phased basis over a number of years, or concurrently to bring on all the potential revenue streams simultaneously – building on the business’s long-established reputation as an eco’ sanctuary,” he said.
“From an ecological perspective, there is also an opportunity for increasing the diversity of New Zealand wildlife displayed within the “Owlcatraz” experience – such as developing breeding programs or adding other species. The addition of high-country mountain animals such as tahr or chamois would also add a diversity to the farm experience.”
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