[1][5][6] Bush began to consider creating a Noah's Ark theme park in 1997; and in 1998, he constructed a barn, a café, a toilet block, and a children's play area.

[13][14] Physical anthropologist Alice Roberts, professor of Public Engagement in Science at the University of Birmingham said the zoo had "absolutely nothing to do with science education"[15] but noted that during her visit in 2013, she saw little evidence of creationism until she entered a "large barn in the middle of the complex, which houses an auditorium and an impressive indoor children's play area," where she found many displays promoting creationism.

[17][18] In August 2009, the British Humanist Association urged tourist boards to stop promoting the zoo on grounds that it would "undermine education and the teaching of science";[19] a campaign continued until February 2014.

[20] In October 2009 the BBC and the Captive Animals Protection Society charged that the zoo's tigers and camels belonged to the now defunct Great British Circus owned by Martin Lacey;[21] and the zoo said a number of animals were on loan from Linctrek Ltd, a company associated with Lacey, though none had taken part in any circus performances.

[31] The EEP for African Elephants at Noah's Ark is a bachelor programme, wherein only males of the species inhabit the enclosure, to provide a home while waiting for a breeding opportunity.

[32][33] Before construction of the sanctuary the Born Free Foundation, which opposes holding elephants in captivity, said the acreage was too small for the purpose.

[36] NAZF is the second zoo in the UK to have a Rare Breeds accreditation for farm species: it has ‘Approved Associate’ status from BIAZA.