As this is my last blog for 2025, I’ve decided to have a look back at some of this year’s highlights and changes that have happened over the past 12 months, here at Wingham Wildlife Park.
January
What a way to kick start 2025 as we welcomed 2 servals to the collection, Maggie and Michael. The mother son duo have settled in well at the park, after an initial shy settling in period they are now often seen out and about in and around their enclosure. If you haven’t managed to see these stunning cats on a visit, make sure to do so next time. It’s also been a year since George and Henry arrived from Belfast, wow where has that year gone?
February
We welcomed another tortoise hatchling to the park, her name is Pip. If you have visited the park in recent months you may have admired these cute little guys in our reptile house.
March
One of our popular characters turned 32 this month, Lucas. To celebrate this milestone we put on one of our famous WWP chimp birthday parties in the Chimpanzee House. The birthday boy loved his party and it was well attended by guests who wanted to stop by and share the moment with him.
April
We saw our breeding pair of Goeldi’s monkeys welcome their second new arrival into their family, October 2024 saw the couple have their first baby together. This species is listed as vulnerable due to its range being greatly fragmented by unsustainable living habitat where the forest has been destroyed through logging activity. Having successfully bred another Goeldi’s monkey baby at the park, is not only massive news for us here at WWP but for the captive population that may be called upon one day to help numbers in the wild.
May
An exciting month as it was finally time to welcome Duke and Tora, our two tigers to Wingham Wildlife Park. Some of you may remember or even recognise these two majestic animals, who used to live over at the Sandwich park. With a brand new enclosure, the tigers have plenty to explore, including their two new bedrooms, an indoor enclosure with a pool and a spacious outdoors. Although they are not ready to be seen by the public, they are well and truly getting settled in their new home and we can’t wait to show you guys. Hopefully it wont be too much longer before we can, follow TikTok Tony or Wingham’s TikTok account for more content to stay tuned and keep up to date.
June
We watched 3 rhea chicks hatch out, it’s been years and years for me since we last had rhea chicks and I had forgotten just how prehistoric they look when first hatched. Mum and Dad, Shakira and Caesar are doing such a great job with them. They have grown so quickly and are mini versions of adults now.
July
A very special arrival, we were beyond excited to share some incredible news, a baby Bornean orangutan was born at Wingham Wildlife Park! Awan gave birth to a baby boy called Tonic making history as the first ever Bornean orangutan born here at the park. Bornean orangutans are listed as Critically Endangered, so this tiny arrival brings huge hope for the future of the species. We’re incredibly proud to be playing a part in the vital breeding programme that made this possible. Awan joined us in 2024 on recommendation from the studbook keeper, and it didn’t take long for sparks to fly between her and Jin. We also had the arrival of a baby Barbary macaque and her name is Moe.
August
We said ‘Ahoj’ to Suki a female Geoffroy’s cat, she came from a zoo in Czech Republic. She joins Lonan, our resident male Geoffroy’s cat. This species is found in South America. Both seem to be getting on well with each other, so watch this space!
September
Full of birthday celebrations, mainly on the primate section. Belayan one of our male orangutans turned 16. Tara, one of our female chimpanzees turned 30 years old and our much loved Pickle turned 13 years old.
October
The month of a baby boom and another very special arrival to the park. We had meerkat babies and a goat kid born. Alongside a couple of firsts for the park, in capybara babies and spectacled caiman hatchlings. To top this month off we ended it with the very special arrival of Haggis the pygmy hippo from Edinburgh Zoo, and it was her 1st Birthday on the 30th so we gave her a little party to celebrate.
November
We said goodbye to our beloved puma, Binx, who sadly lost his battle with kidney disease. Born here at the park on 1st September 2011, he captured our hearts. He was a gentle, soft natured boy with the most soothing purr. A sound that will be deeply missed by everyone who knew and cared for him. Caring for Binx has been a privilege for all of us here at the park and it is a comfort in this difficult time to know that he had a good life with us, we will miss him enormously. Our latest arrivals to the park are a flock of scarlet ibis. They can be seen in the outside small primate’s enclosure next to the teals, currently they don’t have their scarlet colour due to their age however you can start seeing the feathers coming through.
December
All things Christmassy, and the King of Wingham, Clarence, celebrated his 18th birthday on Christmas Eve.
2026 promises to be another exciting year at the park as we continue to make improvements and open up new areas to the park so as always, watch this space. Thanks for taking the time to read my final blog of the year, I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and wish you all a Happy New Year.
By Matt, Head Keeper
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