South East
A family zoo and theme park in East Sussex, known as the best small zoo in the UK.
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester visited Drusillas Park in East Sussex to learn about the zoo's history and operations following its centenary celebrations in 2025. The visit included tours of the Sulawesi Black-Crested Macaque habitat, Sloth and Bat Walkthrough, and Colobus Monkey habitat, where staff discussed animal welfare, education, and conservation initiatives.
Drusillas Park opened its gates after hours for Dreamnight, a free event exclusively for children with life-limiting illnesses and disabilities and their families, welcoming over 700 VIP guests. The evening featured access to 80 animal species, unlimited rides and play areas, entertainment from Brighton & Hove Albion mascot Gully and children's entertainer Crazy Beanz, petting animals, sports workshops, and food and refreshments donated by local suppliers.
Drusillas Zoo in Sussex is using giant ice cubes, frozen food treats, and refreshing showers to help animals stay comfortable during hot weather. The programme includes species-specific enrichment such as catnip-infused ice blocks for lynx, frozen vegetable discs for capuchins, and custom showers for the giant anteater Raya.
Drusillas Park in East Sussex marked International Star Wars Day with creative enrichment activities for its animals, including zoo-friendly "lightsabers" filled with vegetables and themed food items. The event demonstrated how themed enrichment helps keep animals physically active and mentally stimulated while engaging visitors with the zoo's conservation work.
Drusillas Park in East Sussex is inviting local residents to donate fresh garden cuttings instead of sending them to landfill, providing nutritious food for the zoo's 800 animals. Species including red pandas, sloths, lemurs, capybaras, and primates benefit from the donated greenery, with fresh donations accepted daily between 9am and 5pm.
Ring-tailed lemurs, among the original animals when Drusillas Park opened over a century ago, have returned in greater numbers with the arrival of 12 new individuals. The species is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, with wild populations declining due to habitat loss, hunting, and the illegal pet trade.
The newly renovated ring-tailed lemur habitat at Drusillas Park includes specially designed climbing structures, platforms, swings, and ropes to promote natural behaviours such as foraging, leaping, and social interaction. The enclosure encourages the lemurs' characteristic 'yoga pose' behaviour as they warm themselves in the sun.
Drusillas Park is inviting visitors and social media followers to suggest names for its 12 newly arrived ring-tailed lemurs during the Easter holidays. Suggested naming themes include nature-inspired, food and drink, or yoga-themed options.
FeaturedDrusillas Park in East Sussex has introduced 12 new ring-tailed lemurs (4 males and 8 females, aged 2–8 years) following a month-long habitat renovation. The redesigned enclosure features climbing equipment, platforms, swings, and ropes to encourage natural behaviours and social bonding.
As part of the introduction of 12 new ring-tailed lemurs, Drusillas Park has moved its older lemurs to a specially designed off-show retirement complex. The quieter environment allows the ageing animals to receive dedicated care and live out their lives in comfort.
FeaturedA female Colombian black spider monkey has been born at Drusillas Park in early April, marking the first offspring for mother Moa since the family arrived at the zoo in October 2024. The birth is significant for conservation breeding programmes, as the species is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss in the wild.
Drusillas Park is inviting the public to vote on a name for its newborn female Colombian black spider monkey from a shortlist inspired by her Colombian heritage. The options include Blanca, Bonita, Olaya, Kaya, and Kendall, with voting open via the zoo's social media channels.
Drusillas Park has acquired Urban Jump, a trampoline park in Heathfield, marking the zoo operator's second major expansion outside its main Sussex location. The venue will close in June for rebranding and a jungle-themed refresh before reopening in July as part of the Drusillas family of attractions.
Drusillas Zoo is offering 10% off annual memberships from 23 March to 20 April 2026, reducing the cost to as little as 26p per day. The offer applies to new members and includes unlimited access to the zoo, rides, playgrounds, and exclusive member benefits.
Drusillas is offering discounted admission of £5 for mothers and mother-figures visiting on Mother's Day weekend (14–15 March 2026) when accompanied by a full-paying adult or Annual Member. The offer can be pre-booked online with an additional 20% discount or redeemed at the gate on the day.
Drusillas Park is asking visitors to vote on names for the newborn binturong twins from a shortlist of Indonesian-inspired names reflecting their personalities. The female twin is calm and confident, while her brother is bold and fiery, with voting open on the zoo's social media channels.
FeaturedKeepers at Drusillas Park in Sussex have welcomed twin binturongs born on January 2nd to mother Dora and father Niffler—one male and one female. This marks the second breeding success in six months for the vulnerable species, following the birth of their older sister Boots last August, and represents a significant milestone for the European breeding programme.
FeaturedDrusillas Conservation in Action has partnered with The Civet Project to support conservation efforts including the Civet One Health Project in Vietnam, which works to end the exploitation of civets and binturongs in the kopi luwak coffee trade. The partnership combines education, community engagement, and policy change to protect these vulnerable species.
Drusillas Conservation in Action has launched a crowdfunding prize draw to raise funds for Colobus Conservation, with donations supporting rescue and rehabilitation efforts in the Diani Beach region of Kenya. Supporters who donate £5 or more receive entries into a prize draw offering a colobus monkey adoption, family zoo tickets, and other rewards.
FeaturedTwo keepers from Drusillas Zoo will travel to Kenya in April to work with Colobus Conservation, a charity protecting the species from traffic collisions, power lines, and other human-related threats. The zoo has launched a fundraising appeal to support the charity's work, including plans for a new veterinary clinic and education centre at their expanded site.