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This episode of Wild Conversations is all about catching up with the whirlwind that is daily life at Lincolnshire Wildlife Park. Jess sits down with Steve to chat through the never-ending list of jobs, challenges, and surprises that have been keeping the team busy.

Between ensuring the welfare of hundreds of parrots, responding to the daily needs of animals across the park, and managing staff, you’d think there wouldn’t be much room left for anything else. But in true LWP style, the development team have started on two enclosure refurbishments at the same time — because why do one job when you can do two? Jess laughs with Steve about the chaos that comes with it, while Steve admits it’s just another week in the parks version of normal.

The real excitement, though, comes with a spoiler Steve finally lets slip: a new resident is on the way. After weeks of keeping it under wraps, the secret is out — a young Eurasian Lynx will soon call the park home. For those who remember the emotional journey with Nigel the Puma, this moment feels like history repeating itself. The team are already bracing themselves for another character who’s bound to steal hearts and make his mark.

It’s a lively, honest, and sometimes chaotic chat that perfectly sums up what life behind the scenes of a busy wildlife park is really like.

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Lincolnshire Wildlife Park is now the county’s premier animal attraction highlighting the joys of offering long-term sanctuary to animals from all over Europe.

Enjoy an amazing day out full of animals, set within 25 acres LWP is home to The National Parrot Sanctuary where you can get to see over 1000 talkative parrots. We also house the only White Lions in Northern England & our beautiful Bengal Tigers.

But there’s more than just Parrots and Tigers here… you will also see Meerkats, Lemurs, Giant Tortoises, Reptiles, Tapir, Puma, Leopard, Otters, Turtles and many more.

#parrot #parrots #parrotzoo #triton #cockatoo #birds #sanctuary #animals #zoo #lynx #whitetiger

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Many thanks to our patient host Jess

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Copyright: © 2025 Wild Conversations. All rights reserved.

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Hosted (sort of) by Jessica Newton

In a refreshing twist to the usual format, this week Steve grabs the mic — figuratively, of course — and flips the script, putting podcast host and zoologist Jessica Newton in the hot seat.

What unfolds is a light-hearted, engaging profile of the woman who’s been guiding listeners through the sanctuary’s journey. Steve delves into Jess’s university days, her path into zoology, and ultimately how she came to be such an integral part of the team. There's plenty of laughter as they reflect on her early days at the park — including the long-standing joke that Steve “remembers interviewing her all those years ago.” Jess, of course, knows full well he hasn’t the foggiest memory of it — but she lets him have his moment.

As Jess shares stories from her studies and her first impressions of the sanctuary, the episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at her passion for animal care, conservation, and education. It also reveals the camaraderie that’s grown throughout the team at the sanctuary.

Episode 17 is more than just a fun role reversal — it’s a chance for listeners to meet the heart and humour behind the mic. And yes, Steve manages to get a few cheeky digs in before the credits roll.


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Lincolnshire Wildlife Park is now the county’s premier animal attraction highlighting the joys of offering long-term sanctuary to animals from all over Europe.

Enjoy an amazing day out full of animals, set within 25 acres LWP is home to The National Parrot Sanctuary where you can get to see over 1000 talkative parrots. We also house the only White Lions in Northern England & our beautiful Bengal Tigers.

But there’s more than just Parrots and Tigers here… you will also see Meerkats, Lemurs, Giant Tortoises, Reptiles, Tapir, Puma, Leopard, Otters, Turtles and many more.

#parrot #parrots #parrotzoo #triton #cockatoo #birds #sanctuary #animals #zoo

Support the show

Connect with Wild Conversations

Many thanks to our patient host Jess

Website
Instagram
X
Facebook
TikTok
Twitch

Email: podcast@lincswildlife.com

Subscribe to help us.

Thank you and keep Podcasting!!!

Copyright: © 2025 Wild Conversations. All rights reserved.

Send a text

In this deeply moving episode our wonderful host, Jess Newton sits down with Steve for what is, without doubt, one of the most heartfelt chapters in the sanctuary’s story.

This episode is dedicated to Dehra — the very first tiger to arrive at the sanctuary, and the one who would go on to carve a permanent place in Steve’s heart. With raw emotion, laughter, and moments of reflection, Jessica does her best to hold it together as Steve opens up about the extraordinary connection he shared with this magnificent animal.

Dehra wasn’t just a tiger. She was a teacher, a comforter, and — in many ways — a mirror to Steve’s own journey. What began with cautious steps and uncertain boundaries soon blossomed into a friendship that defied explanation. Through Dehra, Steve discovered a new side to animal care — not just the logistics of housing a big cat, but the emotional bond that could form between human and predator.

Listeners are taken on an intimate journey through the early days of Dehra’s arrival, her unique personality, her quirks, and ultimately the moment everyone dreads — saying goodbye. It’s an episode full of warmth, loss, and legacy.

If you’ve ever wondered whether animals truly connect with us, this episode will leave no doubt. Dehra wasn’t just a part of the sanctuary — she was a cornerstone. And her spirit lives on in every tiger that followed.

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Lincolnshire Wildlife Park is now the county’s premier animal attraction highlighting the joys of offering long-term sanctuary to animals from all over Europe.

Enjoy an amazing day out full of animals, set within 25 acres LWP is home to The National Parrot Sanctuary where you can get to see over 1000 talkative parrots. We also house the only White Lions in Northern England & our beautiful Bengal Tigers.

But there’s more than just Parrots and Tigers here… you will also see Meerkats, Lemurs, Giant Tortoises, Reptiles, Tapir, Puma, Leopard, Otters, Turtles and many more.

#parrot #parrots #parrotzoo #triton #cockatoo #birds #sanctuary #animals #zoo #tiger

Support the show

Connect with Wild Conversations

Many thanks to our patient host Jess

Website
Instagram
X
Facebook
TikTok
Twitch

Email: podcast@lincswildlife.com

Subscribe to help us.

Thank you and keep Podcasting!!!

Copyright: © 2025 Wild Conversations. All rights reserved.