Community Contributed

Owlcatraz

Kete Horowhenua2020-03-23T17:03:06+00:00
Located in Shannon, Owlcatraz is a nature and wildlife park. On display are native birds and other animals, including native New Zealand's owls (morepork - Ruru).

At Owlcatraz the visitor can meet Owl Capone, Owl McPherson, and Owlvis Presley in surroundings never seen before.

Other attractions include walks through peaceful, spectacular native bush with wooden bridges and an old waterwheel. In the man-made Wairuru Caves there are glow worms. The old Shannon jail has been moved to Owlcatraz and houses a collection of owl memorabilia.

Out in the paddocks Owlcatraz is home to huge, friendly cows, plus Moppy the Donkey, Oha Kune Pig, Mai and Eye Deer all of whom you can pet!

Owlcatraz was home to Big Red, the world’s largest cattle beast who died in April 2004. He was a South Devon Steer standing over 6 feet at the shoulder and weighing over 2000 kgs.

Now Owlcatraz has two amazing gentle giants. Big Sigh is also a South Devon Steer and a Big Red look-a-like. Children can sit on his back. He thinks he is human.

Big Snow is a gigantic white steer who is showing all the signs of beating the world records. He is friends with the wee micro mooee Jonah Low Moo.

Set up by Ross & Janette Campbell in Margaret Street on land which had previously been Mr Hugh Aitchison’s dairy farm, Owlcatraz now attracts well over 15,000 visitors per annum and won Kapiti-Horowhenua Tourism Awards in 1998, 2000 and 2002.