Man With Wallabies, Mongooses and Parrots Ordered to Move From Rural Carmarthenshire Home

A man who lives in a log cabin with wallabies, mongooses, porcupines, parrots and other exotic birds has been ordered to move the animals after breaching planning regulations.

Neighbours Compared the Area to a “Tropical Jungle”

James Wale, who previously ran a rare bird business in Pembrokeshire, moved to rural Carmarthenshire two years ago.

Neighbours said the area sounded like a “tropical jungle”, particularly at night, because of the animals kept at the site.

Carmarthenshire Council issued Mr Wale with an enforcement notice for breaching planning regulations. He was given time to remove the animals.

Plans for a Wildlife and Tourism Business

Planning agents representing Mr Wale said he had wanted to establish a “large-scale tourism operation”. A previous operation at the grounds of Picton Castle ended after its lease was not renewed.

Mr Wale had hoped to move to 17 acres of woodland near Rannon and create an owl gardening centre. He later scaled back the proposal to a private bird conservation facility operating alongside forestry and farming activities.

According to the enforcement appeal, the animals at the site included horses, goats, chickens and ducks, as well as the exotic species.

Proposed Animal Enclosures

Planning documents said the abandoned business was intended to include “enclosures for reptiles, mongooses and several other animals”.

A subsequent planning application proposed a small business with around 30 game enclosures. However, Mr Wale had no intention of living on the site.