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Riber Castle, located near Matlock in Derbyshire, transformed into a unique attraction in the 1960s when it became the site of a zoo known as Riber Zoo or Riber Castle Wildlife Park. Opening its doors to the public in 1960, the zoo housed a variety of animals, with a notable emphasis on the European Lynx. Riber Zoo even undertook a successful breeding program that saw some of these lynxes exported and released into a Spanish national park.

Throughout the 70s and 80s, Riber Zoo continued to operate, offering visitors a chance to engage with wildlife amidst the historic backdrop of Riber Castle. Photos from that era, like one of artist David Clarke painting a lynx at Riber Zoo in 1985, capture the essence of the zoo’s offerings.

Unfortunately, as the years progressed, circumstances led to the zoo’s closure in 2000, marking the end of a remarkable chapter in Riber Castle’s history. The closure reflected broader challenges as, at some point, the owner sold Riber Castle Wildlife Park, albeit unsuccessfully as a going concern, which might have contributed to the zoo’s eventual shutdown.

Despite its closure, the memories of Riber Zoo remain etched in the hearts of those who visited during its operational years, especially in the 70s and 80s. Through photos and nostalgic recountings, the intriguing meld of historic architecture and wildlife continues to echo the unique charm Riber Castle offered as a zoo.

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