Habitats mark a momentous turning point in the zoo’s history

The Hertfordshire zoo Paradise Wildlife Park has officially opened the habitats of Sun Bear Heights and Jaguar Jungle.

The grand opening of the habitats saw the Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire Robert Voss cutting the ribbon alongside Sally Burton DL the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire as well as other members of the Hertfordshire community.

Paradise Wildlife Park welcomed stars on the likes of Tottenham Hotspurs player Lucas Moura, Love Island star Marcel Somerville and The Pool Guy Miles Lafin, to celebrate the grand opening.

The two new state-of-the-art habitats immerse visitors in the culture of the Pantanal of Brazil and the jungles of Southeast Asia, teaching conservation and protection of ecosystems. Vulnerable (IUCN Red List) species of sun bears, binturongs and Asian small-clawed otters are in a UK-first mixed species habitat. With resident jaguars Kumal and Kedera returning from their sister site The Big Cat Sanctuary.

Coinciding with Paradise Wildlife Park’s 39th anniversary and their last year before rebranding to Hertfordshire Zoo on the 1st of April 2024, these habitats mark a momentous turning point in the zoo’s history. Like many in the country, these builds have seen delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit; Lynn Whitnall, CEO stated: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our supporters, members and visitors’ for their patience and understanding during these project builds. The wait is officially over and we are very excited to introduce you all to new and returning species at the zoo.’

Paradise Wildlife Park continues to support British wildlife conservation with the OZT Goes Wild available on CBBC and BBC iPlayer which follows the three brothers Aaron, Tyler and Cam Whitnall (sons of the CEO) as they set out to learn and teach younger generations about our own wildlife.