THE FUTURE of the troubled New Forest Owl Sanctuary remains uncertain following a television expos and the arrest of its founder and owner Bruce Berry.

Although the popular tourist attraction re-opened within days of the police swoop in July, a scrawled 'closed due to unforeseen circumstances' sign appeared this week outside the complex at Crow on the outskirts of Ringwood.

Mr Berry was unavailable for comment and staff remained tight-lipped but it is understood negotiations are in progress for the sale of the owl sanctuary which opened in 1990 in a converted piggery in Crow Lane.

An unnamed spokesman at the sanctuary told the Daily Echo: "It is so far up in the air I don't want to say anything at the moment."

Volunteers are believed to be looking after the birds remaining at the sanctuary which was the subject of a hard-hitting documentary broadcast by BBC South in June.

During the Inside Out programme made using film footage and interviews shot by an undercover researcher who posed as a volunteer at the sanctuary presenter and wildlife expert Chris Packham made several claims of cruelty and other irregularities involving owls and other protected bird species.

Mr Berry vigorously denied the allegations but in the wake of the programme and other information received Hampshire police wildlife officer PC Geoff Culbertson re-opened a wide-ranging investigation into complaints about the management of the sanctuary

And just a few days later police officers, backed up by RSPCA inspectors and a specialist avian vet, raided the owl sanctuary, Mr Berry's home nearby and premises at Three Legged Cross, where Mr Berry had aviaries and breeding pens.

They seized almost 100 items, including a filing cabinet and more than 20 live birds that were taken to a safe location and Mr Berry, 62, was arrested on suspicion of stealing a saker falcon.

He was interviewed at Lyndhurst police station and later released on bail without charge pending further inquiries which are not expected to be completed until the autumn.