Howletts and Port Lympne - A day out in kent and adopt an animal

Gorillas Enjoy Baked Potatoes in the Snow

Gorillas at The Aspinall Foundation's Port Lympne Wild Animal Park, Kent, enjoyed a warming baked potato treat during the cold snap.

Despite taking the Parks closing for the public during the worst of the weather, it was still very busy behind the scenes as staff worked to keep the animals snug and happy during the cold weather.

Animal Director at Port Lympne, Adrian Harland, comments:

'All the animals that require it have access to heated areas, and keepers are taking special measures such as increasing the amount and calorific content of food that the animals are given. This includes giving gorillas at the parks hot baked potatoes for an extra burst of warmth, and to help keep their diet varied and interesting.'

Managers decided to close both Howletts and Port Lympne to the public on Friday, which are usually open every day except Christmas day, and the parks remained closed over the weekend.

Adrian explained:

'The parks have run very low on grit and have been unable to source any more. The grit that remains has been prioritised for the animals because it is very important that the larger animals such as giraffe and elephants can go out into their enclosures without the danger of slipping over and injuring themselves! Unfortunately this means staff have been unable to grit all the paths around the parks and make them safe for visitors, so we decided to close'

Adrian added:

"It is important to remember that not all the animals need special measures- some of the residents at the parks are quite literally in their element and are really enjoying the snow! For animals such as the Przewalsky horses, wolves, snow leopards and the Amur tigers, the snowy weather is just like their natural environment!"

Press Information:

Charlotte Jones

PR & Promotions Officer

The Aspinall Foundation,

Howletts & Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks.

Tel: 01303 234121

MobL: 07824 637 507

Email: charlottej@howletts.net

Website: www.totallywild.net

Notes to Editors:

The Aspinall Foundation's Kent parks house over 70 Critically Endangered Western Lowland gorillas between them- The largest group of these animals outside of Africa.
Port Lympne Wild Animal Park near Ashford, along with Howletts Wild Animal Park near Canterbury were set up by the late John Aspinall with the aim of protecting and breeding rare and endangered species with the view of returning them to safe areas in their native homelands. The Aspinall Foundation manages the parks and is funded solely from charitable donations which go towards this vital conservation work, both in the UK and abroad, including the world-famous gorilla rescue and rehabilitation projects in Africa. A world-leader in conservation, The Aspinall Foundation has so far returned to the wild: Przewalski's horses, black rhino, Sumatran rhino, Cape buffalo, pythons and gorillas.

©The Aspinall Foundation – Registered Charity 326567.
The Howletts Wild Animal Trust Limited Registered company no. 4711904, Registered charity no. 1100845
Registered office: Port Lympne Wild Animal Park, Lympne, Nr Hythe, Kent, CT21 4PD

Totallywild.net is the official website promoting the charitable work of The Aspinall Foundation in protecting endangered species. The Howletts and Port Lympne wild animal, safari and wildlife parks are the UK based sites for endangered animal conservation. Unlike ordinary zoos, these parks allow visitors to see conservation in action, providing kids, families and adults alike with a wide variety of ‘Totally Wild’ fun days out, packed with exciting activities for the whole family. Our landscaped gardens and mansion house can also be hired for weddings, events and other functions.

All revenues raised through ticket sales support our animal conservation work and breeding programmes, so please, do come and visit us for your day out in Kent and do your bit for conservation!