Community

Community raises over £10,000 after vandalism devastates Ebbw Vale Owl Sanctuary

Thursday, 8 May 2025 12:19AM UTC

Following repeated vandal attacks that destroyed vital facilities at the Ebbw Vale Owl Sanctuary, the local community has rallied to raise more than £10,000, demonstrating a powerful commitment to protecting their treasured wildlife haven.

Community Stands Strong Against Vandalism at Ebbw Vale Owl Sanctuary

Last month, the Ebbw Vale Owl Sanctuary faced three shocking incidents of vandalism, as confirmed by Gwent Police. Among these acts of mindless destruction was the complete obliteration of the sanctuary's toilets, a facility essential for staff and visitors alike. Despite this distressing episode, the community has rallied remarkably to provide support, raising over £10,000 through a JustGiving campaign, a testament to the resilience and kindness that often emerges in times of adversity.

Pat Webb, a prominent figure at the sanctuary, expressed both disbelief and gratitude for the overwhelming response from the community. “Our faith in human nature has been restored,” she said, recounting personal stories of generosity, such as a little girl who sold cakes for £70 and a boy who donated his pocket money. The kindness shown by individuals from as far afield as Bath and Bristol highlights the sanctuary's importance as a local institution. “We didn’t think we would get such a response,” she added, reflecting on the emotional impact of the vandalism and the subsequent community outreach.

However, the emotional toll on long-time owner Malcolm Jones, now 86, has been significant. With over three decades of service dedicated to the sanctuary, he remains shaken by the vandalism. Pat noted that Malcolm was so disturbed by the events that he couldn't visit the sanctuary for a week due to the lack of working facilities. The couple is grateful that the owls, the focus of their life's work, were unharmed in the vandalism. Still, their commitment to ensuring the sanctuary remains a safe haven for birds of prey is now paired with persistent concern about the actions of local youth.

The destruction faced by the Ebbw Vale Owl Sanctuary is not an isolated incident. Historically, the sanctuary has endured other forms of violence against its inhabitants. In 2017, two eagles were shot dead, an act that left both staff and the community deeply affected. Such incidents underline a worrying trend of violence against wildlife and serving as a reminder of the fragile connection that exists between humans and nature in the region.

The sanctuary, which currently houses over 60 birds, has also faced challenges from theft. In 2007, thieves stole hundreds of pounds worth of donations, critical for the day-to-day functioning of the sanctuary. Similar incidents have occurred at other local wildlife organisations; in 2016, the Gwent Wildlife Trust reported an attack that resulted in the death of thousands of honey bees, underscoring the broader pattern of vandalism affecting conservation efforts.

While the Ebbw Vale Owl Sanctuary has installed a temporary Portaloo, the complete restoration of facilities is still in progress. The community's support during this tough time is crucial, reminding everyone that, while some may act destructively, many more choose to uplift and protect their local treasures. As Pat Webb poignantly reflected, “It seems to be a sign of the times… but it gives us hope that community spirit can prevail.”

The sanctuary now stands as a symbol of resilience in the face of adversity, drawing not only its strength from the local community’s generosity but also reinforcing the notion that it takes collective action to safeguard the interest of wildlife and preserve the vital role these sanctuaries play in our ecosystem.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/25141564.owl-sanctuary-ebbw-vale-raises-10-000-vandalism/?ref=rss - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/24690052.anger-ebbw-vale-owl-sanctuary-attacked-vandals/ - In April 2025, the Ebbw Vale Owl Sanctuary in Festival Park suffered multiple incidents of vandalism, including the destruction of their toilets. Despite these challenges, the sanctuary received significant support from the community, raising over £10,000 through donations. Pat Webb, a representative of the sanctuary, expressed gratitude for the public's generosity and highlighted the emotional impact of the events on the staff, especially Malcolm Jones, who has dedicated over 30 years to the sanctuary. The funds raised are aiding in the sanctuary's recovery and continued operations.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-40494307 - In 2017, two eagles were tragically shot dead at the Ebbw Vale Owl Sanctuary. The bodies of a Steppe and a Tawny eagle were discovered in their aviary by volunteers. Owner Patricia Webb described the act as 'absolutely mindless.' Gwent Police investigated the incident, appealing for information. The sanctuary, which houses over 60 birds, faced significant emotional and operational challenges due to this loss. The community's support was crucial in helping the sanctuary recover from this devastating event.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-36038901 - In April 2016, vandals attacked two beehives at the Gwent Wildlife Trust's Ebbw Vale offices, resulting in the death of thousands of honey bees and their larvae. The hives were overturned and damaged with large stones and logs. This incident was particularly upsetting as it occurred during a critical time for bees, which were beginning to produce young. The Gwent Wildlife Trust expressed concern over the impact on local pollination and the broader ecosystem, emphasizing the need for community support to prevent such acts of vandalism.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-17469605 - In 2012, a tawny owl was shot and killed at the Festival Park Owl Sanctuary in Ebbw Vale. The incident occurred on a Sunday morning when the sanctuary owner heard shots fired and later found the owl dead in its aviary. The RSPCA investigated, appealing for information from the public. This act of cruelty highlighted the challenges faced by wildlife sanctuaries in protecting their animals from such senseless attacks, underscoring the importance of community vigilance and support for conservation efforts.
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/vultures-snatch-charity-donations-2315199 - In 2007, thieves stole hundreds of pounds in donations from the Festival Park Owl Sanctuary in Ebbw Vale. The sanctuary, which relies entirely on public donations to care for over 60 birds, discovered that two collection buckets had been stolen after a window was broken. Owner Malcolm Jones expressed his devastation over the theft, emphasizing the importance of these funds for the sanctuary's operations. The incident prompted local authorities to investigate and highlighted the vulnerability of charitable organizations to such crimes.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-51052391 - In January 2020, a willow badger sculpture at the Welsh Wildlife Centre in Cilgerran, Pembrokeshire, was vandalized. The sculpture, which had been a feature of the centre for five years, had parts ripped apart in the attack. This incident was part of a series of vandalism events at the centre, including an arson attack that destroyed a kingfisher observation hide. The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales expressed frustration over the repeated targeting of their site, emphasizing the impact on conservation efforts and the need for increased security measures.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 9

Notes: The narrative appears recent, mentioning specific events from 'last month' without outdated information or references to past roles or deceased individuals. The vandalism incidents and the community's response are current, suggesting a high freshness score.

Quotes check

Score: 8

Notes: Quotes from Pat Webb are central to the narrative but lack prior online references, which could indicate original sourcing. However, without access to specific earlier publications or interviews, the score remains slightly lower.

Source reliability

Score: 7

Notes: The narrative originates from a local news outlet, which may have some bias but generally provides factual information. The lack of a well-known, highly reputable international source reduces the score slightly.

Plausability check

Score: 9

Notes: The claims regarding vandalism and community response are plausible, especially given the historical context of similar incidents in the area. The narrative is coherent and aligns with typical patterns of community response to such incidents.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: The narrative is recent, plausible, and well-structured, with quotes that seem original. The source, though local, provides credible information, contributing to a high confidence level in the overall assessment.

Ebbw Vale Owl Sanctuary
vandalism
community support
wildlife conservation
Gwent Police