South West
A 160-acre park in Oxfordshire with animals from across the globe.
FeaturedEmerald Doves have bred successfully at Cotswold Wildlife Park for the first time in the collection's history, with three squabs reared and more expected. The parent birds successfully reared their chicks in the Tropical House, with one pair nesting next to the public pathway to give visitors a close view of the incubation and rearing process.
FeaturedBlacksmith Plovers have bred successfully at Cotswold Wildlife Park for the first time, producing two clutches with three chicks in each that have now fully fledged. The park is one of only two UK zoological collections to have bred this species in the last year.
FeaturedThree Greater Coucal chicks have been successfully hand-reared at Cotswold Wildlife Park, marking the first time this species has been hand-reared by a UK zoological collection and the first breeding of the species at the park. Named Skunk, Badger, and Bodger, the chicks hatched weighing just 10.9 grams and grew to adult size in just over a month, now fully fledged and independent.
The White Stork Project has implemented new tracking technology, with every released bird now carrying either a satellite tracker or e-ring nanotag to monitor movements and survival after release. The enhanced tracking approach, combined with biometric data collection in partnership with the University of East Anglia, will provide unprecedented insight into White Stork behaviour and development.
FeaturedCotswold Wildlife Park has bred 49 White Stork chicks in 2026, marking its most successful breeding season to date and ninth consecutive year supporting The White Stork Project. The chicks will be released into the wild in Sussex as part of a pioneering UK rewilding programme aiming to establish 50 breeding pairs across southern England by 2030.
FeaturedThe White Stork Project celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2026, with two birds bred at Cotswold Wildlife Park having migrated, returned to Knepp Castle Estate, and attempted to breed. This demonstrates the project's success in re-establishing wild breeding populations of White Storks in Britain.
Keepers and staff at Cotswold Wildlife Park completed a seven-mile run in August 2026 to support Diabetes UK, with the Park pledging to match all funds raised. The fundraiser was initiated by Managing Director Jamie Craig, who has lived with Type 1 diabetes for over 30 years, and involved team members personally affected by the condition.
The 2026 Keeper Academy cohort participated in practical activities including enclosure design, daily husbandry duties, enrichment theory, behavioural observations and conservation tasks. The programme aims to inspire the next generation of animal care professionals and has successfully placed previous participants into permanent roles at the park.
Cotswold Wildlife Park welcomed its fifth cohort of Keeper Academy participants in 2026, a week-long programme for young people aged 15-18 interested in animal careers. Previous participants have returned to the park for work experience, volunteering, and permanent staff positions, with eight places released annually and 2027 dates to be announced in November.
FeaturedThe park's breeding programme for Southern White Rhinos has produced 13 calves over 12 years from breeding adults Monty, Ruby and Nancy, with older calves successfully transferred to other collections as part of the coordinated programme. The park's first calf, Astrid, is now a mother herself at Colchester Zoo with two calves of her own.
Cotswold Wildlife Park held two major conservation fundraising events in August 2026: Lion Weekend and Rhino Month, raising vital funds for wild lion and African animal conservation projects. The events supported the Safina Lion Conservation Fund, founded by park mammal keeper James Welch, and Tusk, a charity dedicated to African wildlife conservation.
'Bella' the train, a permanent fixture at the park since the 1970s, has been offering daily family rides throughout the summer holidays and will continue until the end of October 2026. The train is named after Bella, the park's first Southern White Rhino resident (1972–2003), and welcomes families including those with dogs.
The park's Reptile House is home to 10 different snake species, including the Western Gaboon Viper, one of only two UK collections to house this species. The collection also includes Eyelash Vipers and Green Anacondas, celebrated during World Snake Day.
Birds from Cotswold Falconry Centre will be based at the park every weekend throughout August, with displays on the Anniversary Lawn. Visitors will be able to meet the birds and watch flying demonstrations.
Cotswold Wildlife Park will host Lion Weekend on 8th and 9th August, celebrating the park's Asiatic Lion pairing Rana and Kanha while raising awareness of conservation threats. Proceeds will support the Safina Lion Conservation fund and other lion conservation charities.
FeaturedA Northern White-Faced Owlet has recently hatched and is now visible in the enclosure along Owl Avenue at Cotswold Wildlife Park. The young owl has been spotted perching on branches with its parents nearby.
The park's Meerkat groups have undergone recent habitat changes, with the breeding pair now in the on-show enclosure and a family of three housed off-show. The update coincides with the global celebration of World Meerkat Day.
The park held a fundraising stall for Lemur Week from 23–31 May, raising funds with support from visitors and volunteers. The event was part of the park's ongoing conservation and education initiatives.
FeaturedKlaus, a young male Bactrian Camel, has been born at the park as the third calf of mother Cleo in five years. The calf has settled well into family life and enjoys playing with his siblings and enrichment activities.
FeaturedA young male Colobus Monkey named Dubu has been born at the park and is growing in confidence, gradually developing his black fur and learning key skills from his siblings. Dubu is part of a family group consisting of parents Tallus and Lexi, older brothers Daki and Mushaka, and sister Pili, with the entire family helping to rear the young primate.