Penscynor Wildlife Park
To get to this virtual cache use the waypoint as a guide and be prepared for a steep decent to the base of the waterfall and follow through the old penguin pool.
In 1966, Neath builder Idris Hale bought the semi-derelict Penscynor House in Cilfrew. The 11-acre grounds then became home to a large collection of exotic parrots and a number of charity days were held in response to public demand to see the birds. Idris then decided to open the park to the public in 1971. It was launched by TV personality Johnny Morris, of the Animal Magic TV series. Success followed and it remained in the family's ownership until 1996 when Mr Hale's grandson, Jonathan Hale-Quant, took it over.
The park had annual attendance of 200,000 visitors and employed 18 staff. A total of 174 animals inhabhited the park at it's time of closure including 28 mammals, 87 birds, 8 reptiles, 3 amphibians, 40 fish and 8 invertebrates.
Since 1998 the park has been abandoned. Starting in 1999, the Northern part of the park was developed into 41 residential units, retaining the children's playground from the zoo and area around it as open space. Many of the enclosures still exist, including the chimp houses and penguin pool. All structures are derelict.
To log this virtual cache as a find, please message me a photo of you at the penguin pool (just a thumbs up if not wanting to share your face)
Virtual Rewards 2.0 - 2019/2020
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between June 4, 2019 and June 4, 2020. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 2.0 on the Geocaching Blog.