Award-Winning Sustainable Tourism in Norfolk

Ed is a full-time arable farmer who inherited his father’s fascination with Africa and in particular, the many antelope and gazelle species which he discovered there. Proud to be able to name every species of British duck by the age of four, Ed has long been an admirer of Sir Peter Scott and his generation of maverick conservationists. Now a father himself, Ed would like to pass on the genius of nature’s complex systems to the next generation but recognises that it will take much more than a few individuals to ensure that our planet’s precious biodiversity can survive. That’s why Ed is so passionate about establishing Watatunga’s education work and ensuring that young people are empowered to tackle the challenges ahead.

With a background in agriculture, a seven-year stint in the city and a busy farm to run, Ed has not followed a conventional route into conservation. However more recent trips to Africa with his sister Annabel, an internationally renowned wildlife artist, made him increasingly aware of the pressure that habitat loss and hunting were exerting on many of the species he had grown to love. Ed is also involved in an international collaboration to reintroduce the Great Bustard to the U.K. and is proud to have the only Norfolk specimens of this little known bird which went extinct in the U.K. in 1832.

Molly has always been very passionate about deer & antelope and believes that if people understood how fascinating and complex they are, they would be just as captivated by them as she is. She is a strong advocate of keeping animals in complex environments that mirror their wild habitats, & giving animals choice and control over in captive environments.

Molly is the reserve operations manager, responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the animal collection, staff & visitor experiences & implementing future strategic plans for the development of Watatunga. She also oversees the education, research and conservation aspects of Watatunga and enjoys tailoring what we do here at WWR to the relevant school curriculums. You may see her presenting at conferences about our work here or even see her guest lecturing!

She joined the team in 2023 & has worked in multiple zoological collections with a wide range of different taxonomic species. She has a bachelor’s degree in Zoo Biology and a Masters degree in Animal Nutrition. Molly also sits on the BIAZA Nutrition working group.

Alex cannot remember a time she wasn’t fascinated by nature and wildlife. Training as a teacher she worked in the Channel Islands and volunteered at the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust. Moving to South Africa was a dream come true as she spent the majority of her time there guiding in the Kruger National Park and other National reserves such as Hluhluwe/Umfolozi in KwaZulu Natal.

The call of Norfolk and her family saw her returning home and she was amazed to discover Watatunga. She joined the team in 2021 and relishes the opportunities to share the amazing and unique stories of the animals and birds in our care. Alex cannot imagine a planet without these rare and endangered species and is determined to help as many people as possible to appreciate, value and conserve them for future generations through the safaris she guides at Watatunga Wildlife Reserve.

Karen was born and educated in west London, but spent most of her school holidays staying with her grandparents in Sussex which informed her love of nature and wildlife. She has lived in Norfolk for over forty years with her horses and dogs which she walks daily in Thetford Forest. She has two sons and three grandchildren, whom she adores.

Karen retired from being a Secondary School Careers Adviser in 2021, after nearly thirty eight years in the profession. She had a specialist role supporting young people with learning difficulties and disabilities and her proudest moment was being awarded an MBE in 2013, for services to education.

Karen feels privileged to be working at Watatunga. She loves learning about the beautiful, critically endangered animals and birds, and working alongside a team of experts. She gives the warmest of welcomes and is a treasured team member, making sure every guest has the ultimate experience on the reserve.