Wingham Wildlife Park
Wingham Wildlife Park is a medium-sized wildlife park located near Wingham, Kent, United Kingdom. Originally opened as Wingham Bird Park in 1986, it evolved to include a diverse collection of mammals, reptiles, and birds, adopting its current name around 1996. The park is notable for its focus on conservation, participation in international breeding programs, and engaging visitor exhibits.
Key Facts
- ›Covers an area of 26 acres, with 13 acres dedicated to animal housing.
- ›Species count grew from 180 in 2011 to over 200 by 2013.
- ›First opened in 1986 as Wingham Bird Park, renamed Wingham Wildlife Park around 1996.
- ›Ownership changed in February 2008, leading to significant collection growth and international affiliations.
- ›Features popular exhibits such as the Penguin Pool, Tiger enclosure, and Chimp House.
- ›Involved in numerous animal rescue projects, including lions, macaques, and primates.
Tropical House, Reptile House, Penguin Pool, Tiger Enclosure, Big Cat Row, Wolf Enclosure, Chimp House
Humboldt Penguins, Hybrid Tigers, Brutus the Lion, Clarence the Lion, Eurasian Wolves, Laboratory Chimpanzees, Gray's Monitors, Little Red Flying Foxes, Egyptian Fruit Bats, Julian the Ring-Tailed Lemur, Spix's Night Monkeys, Pardine Genets
International Zoo Educators Association, International Species Information System, South East Asian Zoos Association, Aap Foundation, Tonga Terre D'Accueil, Israeli Primate Sanctuary Foundation
About Wingham Wildlife Park
Wingham Wildlife Park is a medium-sized wildlife park located near the village of Wingham in Kent, United Kingdom. It was established in 1986 as Wingham Bird Park, initially housing a modest collection of aviary birds and waterfowl alongside a tea room. Over time, the park expanded its collection to include a variety of mammals and other animals, leading to its renaming as Wingham Wildlife Park around 1996.
History and Development
The park underwent a significant change in ownership in February 2008. The subsequent three years saw a substantial increase in its animal collection, with nearly 100 new species introduced, many of which are of high conservation interest. This expansion and dedication to species management led to the park's inclusion in the International Zoo Educators Association and the International Species Information System in 2010. Wingham Wildlife Park also adopted the ZIMS software and became an associate institutional member of the South East Asian Zoos Association in 2014, further strengthening its ties to in situ conservation efforts.
Animal Collection and Exhibits
Wingham Wildlife Park boasts a diverse array of animals, encompassing mammals, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, and birds. By 2013, the park housed over 200 species. Notable exhibits include the Tropical House, which features a variety of tropical plants and free-roaming animals; the Reptile House, home to a wide range of reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates; and the Penguin Pool, which opened in 2010 and famously housed a Humboldt penguin colony, gaining media attention for a same-sex pair successfully raising a chick.
The park is also known for its Tiger enclosure, built in 2011 for two young male hybrid tigers who were hand-reared and remain popular attractions. The Big Cat Row, developed from 2012 onwards, includes enclosures for lions, cheetahs, jaguars, and pumas. In 2013, a pack of Eurasian wolves was introduced to a specially designed laked enclosure. A significant development was the opening of a new Chimp House in December 2015, a £1 million project designed to house seven chimpanzees donated from the Yerkes Primate Center.
Notable Species and Conservation Initiatives
Wingham Wildlife Park is home to several rare and unique species. It houses the only Gray's monitors on display in a British zoo, aiming for the species' first European breeding. The park also hosts the only Little red flying foxes in Europe and, as of 2013, the only Spix's night monkeys outside of South America, using them as flagship species to raise awareness about rainforest destruction. As of 2016, it is one of only three zoos worldwide displaying Pardine genets.
The park actively participates in rescue projects, working with organizations like the AAP Foundation and Tonga Terre d'Accueil. Significant rescue efforts include the rehabilitation of lions Brutus and Clarence, who were mistreated in a circus, and the relocation of Barbary macaques rescued from the illegal pet trade. In 2010, ten primates were flown to the park from the Israeli Primate Sanctuary Foundation, having been seized from illegal breeders or from controlled breeding programs.
Visitor Facilities
Since 2008, Wingham Wildlife Park has made numerous improvements to visitor facilities, including renovated toilet blocks, an updated adventure play area, and the installation of tarmac footpaths to improve accessibility. A permanent dinosaur exhibit featuring animatronic dinosaurs was added in 2016. The park also offers an indoor soft play area called 'Lions Den Soft Play Area', an education center with hands-on animal encounters, and a museum displaying seized items and tribal artifacts. A café and gift shop are located in the main reception building.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Wingham Wildlife Park first open?
Wingham Wildlife Park first opened its doors in 1986. It was initially established under the name Wingham Bird Park, featuring a smaller collection of aviary birds and waterfowl.
What is the size of Wingham Wildlife Park?
The park covers a total area of 26 acres. Of this, 13 acres are used for animal housing, with an additional 13 acres allocated for car parking and overflow space.
What types of animals can be found at Wingham Wildlife Park?
Wingham Wildlife Park houses a diverse range of animals, including mammals, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, and birds. By 2013, the park had over 200 species in its collection.
What are some of the notable exhibits at Wingham Wildlife Park?
Key exhibits include the Tropical House, a refurbished Reptile House, the Penguin Pool (the only one in Kent), a Tiger enclosure, a Big Cat row featuring lions and jaguars, a Wolf enclosure, and a new Chimp House opened in 2015.
Does Wingham Wildlife Park participate in conservation efforts?
Yes, Wingham Wildlife Park has a strong focus on conservation. It has been included in the International Zoo Educators Association and the International Species Information System, and is an associate institutional member of the South East Asian Zoos Association. The park is also involved in numerous animal rescue projects.
What unique animals are housed at Wingham Wildlife Park?
Wingham Wildlife Park is home to several notable species, including the only Gray's monitors on display in a British zoo, the only Little red flying foxes in Europe, and as of 2013, the only Spix's night monkeys outside of South America. As of 2016, it is also one of three zoos worldwide displaying Pardine genets.
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