Tilgate Nature Centre

Tilgate Nature Centre is a small BIAZA-accredited zoo located within Tilgate Park in Tilgate Forest, South-East Crawley, United Kingdom. HistoryTilgate Nature Centre was formed in 1966 by Crawley Borough Council to breed ducklings for introduction into the three lakes at Tilgate, namely Campbells, Silt and Titmus. Its focus changed over the years and it now houses an impressive animal collection including reindeer, owls, raccoon dogs, coati, parrots, mongooses, otters, snakes, tarantulas, lizards and various invertebrates. Tilgate Nature Centre is actively involved in breeding programmes for threatened species such as the Northern bald ibis, and has also been involved in re-introduction programmes; most notably the fen raft spider (Dolomedes plantarius) from the UK. AttractionsThe centre is open to the paying public with attractions such as public talks, feeds and presentations, "Animal Adoptions", "Meet the Meerkats", "Junior Keeper for a Day" and "Pamper a Pony" experiences. They also offer educational visits for schools and animal-themed birthday parties for wildlife-loving youngsters. On 2 April 2016 over 2300 people witnessed the opening of the new Australasian Zone which includes a kangaroo and wallabies, emus, galahs and kookaburras. The next area planned is a Madagascan Zone which is to include ring-tailed lemurs and a variety of reptiles, due to be opened in Easter 2017. An Americas Zone is due to follow in Easter 2018.

Tilgate Nature Centre is a small BIAZA-accredited zoo located within Tilgate Park in Tilgate Forest, South-East Crawley, United Kingdom. HistoryTilgate Nature Centre was formed in 1966 by Crawley Borough Council to breed ducklings for introduction into the three lakes at Tilgate, namely Campbells, Silt and Titmus. Its focus changed over the years and it now houses an impressive animal collection including reindeer, owls, raccoon dogs, coati, parrots, mongooses, otters, snakes, tarantulas, lizards and various invertebrates. Tilgate Nature Centre is actively involved in breeding programmes for threatened species such as the Northern bald ibis, and has also been involved in re-introduction programmes; most notably the fen raft spider (Dolomedes plantarius) from the UK. AttractionsThe centre is open to the paying public with attractions such as public talks, feeds and presentations, "Animal Adoptions", "Meet the Meerkats", "Junior Keeper for a Day" and "Pamper a Pony" experiences. They also offer educational visits for schools and animal-themed birthday parties for wildlife-loving youngsters. On 2 April 2016 over 2300 people witnessed the opening of the new Australasian Zone which includes a kangaroo and wallabies, emus, galahs and kookaburras. The next area planned is a Madagascan Zone which is to include ring-tailed lemurs and a variety of reptiles, due to be opened in Easter 2017. An Americas Zone is due to follow in Easter 2018.