Norfolk’s biggest zoo has cemented its commitment to bringing in exotic animals, dispelling fears that the attraction is shifting its focus to species from the British Isles.
Banham Zoo unveiled a controversial multi-million-pound plan last year to build a Native Haven of British Isles Trail to showcase wildlife from much closer to home.
The proposals were criticised by some supporters at the time, who claimed the zoo would lose its traditional appeal by diverting its attention away from exotic animals.
But now Banham Zoo’s new CEO, Ian Bartlett, has reinstated the zoos commitment to exotic species.
The zoo recently opened a new £27,000 tiger platform for its trio of Amur tigers - Mishka and her two sons, Kash and Kumi.
“The reality is people come to the zoo to see Kash and Kumi up on their tiger platform - that’s the thing that excites them,” Mr Bartlett, chief executive of the Zoological Society of East Anglia (ZSEA), the charity which runs Banham Zoo, said.
“It absolutely dispels that we will be getting rid of all our exotics and bringing in all native species.
“But hopefully people understand there has to be a balance. Our Together for Wildlife campaign is for all wildlife.
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“We’ve got a breeding pairs of red pandas, snow leopards, margays, Asian otters and sloths that have all come in this year.
“Our exotics are absolutely something that will always be here, but the native species will also be recognised for the importance they have for wildlife in the UK.”
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READ MORE:ZSEA runs both Banham Zoo, near Attleborough, and Africa Alive, in Kessingland, Lowestoft.
Mr Bartlett said both zoos have faced challenges bringing in exotic animals in recent years due to Brexit and the spread of bluetongue.
However, both parks welcomed thousands of visitors through their gates over the summer and for their Halloween events over October half term.
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