South East
A wild animal park near Canterbury, run by the Aspinall Foundation.
Howletts Wild Animal Park is hosting Rhino Week from 17th–23rd August 2026, offering families the chance to meet the park's black rhino family and learn about rhino conservation. Half-price kids' tickets are available for visits until 31st August.
FeaturedLekedi, a male western lowland gorilla, was born on 19th December 2025 at Howletts Wild Animal Park in Kent. The birth is part of the park's long-running conservation work with this critically endangered species, and Lekedi is already showing advanced development for his age.
Howletts Wild Animal Park is hosting Gorilla Week from 24th to 31st August 2026, featuring gorilla-themed talks, activities, fun facts and treats celebrating the park's four family groups of western lowland gorillas. Half-price kids' tickets are available throughout the week, making it an ideal family summer outing in Kent.
Howletts Wild Animal Park is creating an expanded Elephant Village where visitors can meet expert keepers, learn about individual herd members, and participate in elephant adoption and donation programmes. The initiative supports funding for the new elephant facility while educating the public about the herd and conservation work.
Howletts Wild Animal Park has submitted plans to Canterbury City Council for a new 41,000m² elephant facility featuring a purpose-built house, improved pools, wallows, and sand areas. The development will support the park's 12 African elephants and enhance their welfare while supporting the European Endangered Species Programme.
Howletts Wild Animal Park has announced that its herd of 12 African elephants will remain at the park indefinitely after the Trust was unable to identify a suitable African rewilding project. The park has submitted a planning application for a major new elephant facility including a 3,300m² purpose-built house and 10,000m² of additional outdoor habitat.
FeaturedThree Sumatran tiger cubs—Bila, Kuala and Rokan—have become popular attractions at Howletts Wild Animal Park, captivating visitors with their playful personalities and adventurous behaviour. The cubs represent an important population of one of the world's rarest big cats, with fewer than 400 thought to remain in the wild.
Howletts Wild Animal Park is hosting Monkey Week from 3rd to 9th August 2026 as part of its six-week Summer Roar celebrations. The event invites families to explore the park's collection of rare and endangered primates, including lion-tailed macaques, François' langurs, gelada baboons, and ten other monkey species.
Howletts Wild Animal Park is hosting Big Cat Week from 27th July to 2nd August 2026, featuring playful Sumatran tiger cubs, African lions, and Northern Chinese leopards. The event coincides with International Tiger Day on 29th July and is part of the Summer Roar 2026 celebration.
Howletts Wild Animal Park in Kent is hosting Capybara Week (20th–26th July 2026) as part of Summer Roar 2026, featuring themed talks, activities, and visitor experiences with the park's capybara family. Half-price children's tickets are available throughout the summer holidays.
Howletts Wild Animal Park is hosting Elephant Week from 10th to 16th August 2026 as part of Summer Roar 2026, inviting visitors to discover facts about and meet one of the UK's most celebrated African elephant herds. The event offers families the opportunity to learn about elephant behaviour, family bonds, and conservation while observing the park's herd of ten elephants.
FeaturedShaka, an impressive mature bull African elephant, has arrived at Howletts Wild Animal Park to join the breeding herd as part of an internationally coordinated conservation breeding programme. His arrival represents an important step in safeguarding the future of this endangered species while offering visitors new insights into elephant social behaviour.
Howletts Wild Animal Park is launching the Creepy Cave, a new temporary exhibit featuring small creatures including giant millipedes, tarantulas, reptiles and amphibians. The attraction opens this summer with discounted children's tickets as part of the park's Summer Roar programme.
FeaturedA litter of Sumatran tiger cubs was born at Howletts Wild Animal Park in April 2026 and are now on display to visitors. The cubs are featured as part of Big Cat Week during the Summer Roar celebration.
Howletts Wild Animal Park has opened the Creepy Cave, a new hands-on interactive exhibit featuring giant African millipedes, stick insects, giant land snails, tarantulas, snakes, tortoises, frogs and other small animals. The attraction is designed to educate visitors about the ecological importance of small creatures.
FeaturedBaby Lekedi, a western lowland gorilla, has been born at Howletts Wild Animal Park, which now houses more western lowland gorillas than anywhere else in Britain. The birth is part of the park's ongoing conservation efforts.
Howletts Wild Animal Park is hosting Summer Roar from 20 July to 31 August 2026, featuring six weeks of themed animal celebrations, keeper talks, and interactive activities. Each week focuses on a different species, including Capybara Week, Big Cat Week, and new attractions like the Creepy Cave featuring insects, reptiles, and arachnids.
FeaturedShaka, a bull African elephant, has arrived at Howletts Wild Animal Park as a significant new addition to the UK's largest herd of African elephants. The arrival is being highlighted as part of the Summer Roar 2026 celebrations.
FeaturedTwo female capybaras, Tchin-Tchin and Grumpy, arrived at Howletts from Belgium in April at just 7 and 9 months old. The younger pair have joined the zoo's original trio in the South American paddock and are already entertaining visitors with their playful swimming and climbing antics.
Howletts Wild Animal Park is highlighting its original three capybaras—Georgio, Spud, and Jane—as must-see attractions for families visiting during May half term. The relaxed rodents live in the South American paddock alongside giant anteaters and are known for their friendly, laid-back personalities.