The Clews family knew no boundaries when it came to their love for animals. Graham Clews, who still resides in the Warwickshire family home at Grandborough Farm, recalls a time when his kitchen was home to a chimpanzee cage. From taking a pet leopard for a walk to feeding pigs with it, the family’s pet leopard named Charlie lived like one of their own. Its best friend was a penguin named Wobbly Willy, and the Clews children Tracey and Alan even shared their bath with a pet chimp named Sparky.
Starting out with a herd of milking cows and pigs, Pauline and Leslie Clews’ interest for animals grew after Pauline asked for a pet chimpanzee for Christmas after seeing it in a copy of the Daily Mirror. This opened up the floodgates, and the couple soon had a chimp, bear and raccoon among their growing private collection. Soon enough, locals would regularly hear the roars of big cats carrying across the fields. With growing expenses, the family opened up their collection as a personal zoo.
In 1966, Southam Zoo was born, attracting visitors with its exotic birds, monkeys, and big cats. Adverts and films featuring the Clews’ animals included Mary Queen of Scots and The Pink Panther. However, the Clews’ acclaimed bond with their animals was the biggest attraction. They developed a bond that was often described as “one big family”. With its reputation growing, the Clews’ home attracted photographers, TV and film crews. However, after Leslie passed away in 1975, the zoo-specializing in exotic cats-closed in 1985. Today, there are only photos and newspaper clippings of a time when wild cats and chimpanzees called the streets
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