Raided owl sanctuary closes

The owl sanctuary has closed "until further notice"

An owl sanctuary raided by police following a BBC investigation into work practices has closed to the public.

A 62-year-old man arrested in the operation targeting the New Forest Owl Sanctuary, at Ringwood, Hampshire, has been released on bail.

On Saturday, callers to the sanctuary were met with the message: "Due to unforeseen circumstances we will be closed until further notice."

Police, with the help of RSPCA officers and a specialist aviary veterinary surgeon, raided two other addresses including a nearby home on Friday.

The arrested man, who has not been named, was taken to Lyndhurst Police station for questioning on suspicion of the theft of a saker falcon.

An original police investigation into the centre began 18 months ago, but was subsequently dropped.

It was reopened following a report by BBC South's Inside Out team last month.

The sanctuary's owner, Bruce Berry, has denied there is anything wrong with working practices at the sanctuary.