A prominent Perthshire visitor attraction, Auchingarrich Wildlife Park in Comrie, finds itself at the centre of a police investigation following serious allegations of animal cruelty. The claims, made by the park’s former manager, Kevin Campbell, involve the alleged brutal killing of seven turkeys.
Mr Campbell, who previously oversaw operations at the popular Comrie site, has detailed his account, stating that the turkeys, which he described as a personal gift from his grandparents, were reportedly beaten to death while he was away from the park. He recounted the distressing scene to a local publication, describing the shed as covered in blood, an image he likened to ‘something from a horror film’.
The former manager asserts that he resigned from his position at the wildlife park, which operates as a charity, after he reported his concerns regarding the incident to law enforcement officials last month. However, the owners of Auchingarrich Wildlife Park, Alexa Reid and Rob Matthews, dispute this narrative, claiming that Mr Campbell was, in fact, dismissed from his role. This counterclaim has prompted a separate police inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his departure.
Police Scotland has confirmed that two distinct investigations are currently underway in relation to the wildlife park. The dual nature of these probes indicates a complex situation requiring thorough examination by authorities. A History of Controversy at Auchingarrich
This is not the first time Auchingarrich Wildlife Park has faced public scrutiny since Ms Reid and Mr Matthews assumed ownership in 2022. The period following their takeover has been marked by several contentious issues that have drawn significant attention from the local community and wider public.
Last summer, a notable controversy erupted concerning the park’s pet cemetery. Pet owners who had entrusted their beloved animals to the cemetery for burial were dismayed to discover that gravestones and other cherished memorials had been removed. It emerged that the land was subsequently repurposed as a grazing paddock, a decision that caused considerable distress among those affected. In response to the backlash, Ms Reid publicly stated that she and her staff had become targets of what she termed ‘a hate campaign’.
Further incidents continued to plague the park. In November of the same year, a stag, known by the name of Harris, mysteriously disappeared from the premises. Allegations quickly surfaced suggesting that a fence at the park had been deliberately ‘sabotaged’, allowing the animal to escape. The subsequent search for Harris garnered national media attention, highlighting the emotional attachment the community had to the wildlife park’s inhabitants.
In a show of support following the stag’s disappearance, thousands of pounds were generously donated by well-wishers to an online fundraiser initiated by Ms Reid. The funds were reportedly earmarked for enhancing security measures and repairing fencing at the park, reflecting public concern for the welfare of the animals and the integrity of the facility.
More recently, last month brought renewed controversy when it was revealed that a volunteer working at Auchingarrich Wildlife Park had a prior conviction for animal cruelty. Liam Fair had previously admitted to encouraging his dog to attack, bite, and kill a rat earlier this year. He also pleaded guilty to charges of neglecting five puppies, three dogs, and a kitten, and failing to protect them from disease and suffering. As a result of these convictions, Fair was prohibited from owning animals.
Ms Reid publicly defended the park’s decision to accept Fair as a volunteer, explaining that he had ‘expressed genuine remorse for his previous actions and a heartfelt desire to change’. However, Mr Matthews clarified today that Fair’s involvement at the park was minimal, stating that he had spent a total of only three hours on site.
Auchingarrich Wildlife Park officially gained charitable status, registering with the Scottish Charity Regulator, in January of this year. The ongoing investigations and past controversies undoubtedly present significant challenges for the future of this local Perthshire institution and its role within the community of Comrie and beyond.
Mr Campbell, who previously oversaw operations at the popular Comrie site, has detailed his account, stating that the turkeys, which he described as a personal gift from his grandparents, were reportedly beaten to death while he was away from the park. He recounted the distressing scene to a local publication, describing the shed as covered in blood, an image he likened to ‘something from a horror film’.
The former manager asserts that he resigned from his position at the wildlife park, which operates as a charity, after he reported his concerns regarding the incident to law enforcement officials last month. However, the owners of Auchingarrich Wildlife Park, Alexa Reid and Rob Matthews, dispute this narrative, claiming that Mr Campbell was, in fact, dismissed from his role. This counterclaim has prompted a separate police inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his departure.
Police Scotland has confirmed that two distinct investigations are currently underway in relation to the wildlife park. The dual nature of these probes indicates a complex situation requiring thorough examination by authorities. A History of Controversy at Auchingarrich
This is not the first time Auchingarrich Wildlife Park has faced public scrutiny since Ms Reid and Mr Matthews assumed ownership in 2022. The period following their takeover has been marked by several contentious issues that have drawn significant attention from the local community and wider public.
Last summer, a notable controversy erupted concerning the park’s pet cemetery. Pet owners who had entrusted their beloved animals to the cemetery for burial were dismayed to discover that gravestones and other cherished memorials had been removed. It emerged that the land was subsequently repurposed as a grazing paddock, a decision that caused considerable distress among those affected. In response to the backlash, Ms Reid publicly stated that she and her staff had become targets of what she termed ‘a hate campaign’.
Further incidents continued to plague the park. In November of the same year, a stag, known by the name of Harris, mysteriously disappeared from the premises. Allegations quickly surfaced suggesting that a fence at the park had been deliberately ‘sabotaged’, allowing the animal to escape. The subsequent search for Harris garnered national media attention, highlighting the emotional attachment the community had to the wildlife park’s inhabitants.
In a show of support following the stag’s disappearance, thousands of pounds were generously donated by well-wishers to an online fundraiser initiated by Ms Reid. The funds were reportedly earmarked for enhancing security measures and repairing fencing at the park, reflecting public concern for the welfare of the animals and the integrity of the facility.
More recently, last month brought renewed controversy when it was revealed that a volunteer working at Auchingarrich Wildlife Park had a prior conviction for animal cruelty. Liam Fair had previously admitted to encouraging his dog to attack, bite, and kill a rat earlier this year. He also pleaded guilty to charges of neglecting five puppies, three dogs, and a kitten, and failing to protect them from disease and suffering. As a result of these convictions, Fair was prohibited from owning animals.
Ms Reid publicly defended the park’s decision to accept Fair as a volunteer, explaining that he had ‘expressed genuine remorse for his previous actions and a heartfelt desire to change’. However, Mr Matthews clarified today that Fair’s involvement at the park was minimal, stating that he had spent a total of only three hours on site.
Auchingarrich Wildlife Park officially gained charitable status, registering with the Scottish Charity Regulator, in January of this year. The ongoing investigations and past controversies undoubtedly present significant challenges for the future of this local Perthshire institution and its role within the community of Comrie and beyond.