Howletts Zoo
Howletts Wild Animal Park (formerly known as
Howletts Zoo) was set up as a private
zoo in
1958 by
John Aspinall in
Canterbury,
Kent. The animal collection was opened to the public in
1975. To give more room for the animals another estate at Port Lympne near
Hythe,
Kent was purchased in
1973, and opened to the public as
Port Lympne Zoo in
1976.
The collection is known for being unorthodox, for the encouragement of close personal relationships between staff and animals, and for their breeding of rare and endangered species.
The 90-acre park has a large collection of
western lowland gorillas and are home to the largest
breeding family groups of gorillas in the world. There are 14
elephants, the largest captive
breeding herd in the world. Other species include both Siberian and Indian Tigers, a giant anteater, clouded leopards, monkeys, small cats, tapirs, bongo and Canadian timber wolves.
Since
1984 both parks have been owned by a charity (The John Aspinall Foundation).
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zoo website
