A Wild New Adventure at Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens!

1 Apr

Bringing the Spirit of South Africa to Sussex

At Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens, we are always looking for ways to enhance our guests' experience and create an environment where nature thrives. This year, we are thrilled to announce an extraordinary new addition to our already diverse woodland wildlife.

As part of our latest conservation initiative, we have decided to introduce a selection of South African animals to our gardens! Inspired by the success of our wallabies, we wanted to take things a step further and offer visitors an even more immersive wildlife experience. After months of careful planning, we are excited to confirm that we will soon be welcoming a variety of new residents, including meerkats, porcupines, and even a small herd of African elephants!

A Perfect Balance Between British and African Wildlife

The decision to incorporate South African species was not taken lightly. Our team has worked closely with conservation experts to ensure that these wonderful creatures will feel right at home in our unique landscape. Our extensive woodland, rolling hills, and picturesque lakes will now serve as a sanctuary for both local and exotic wildlife, creating a truly one-of-a-kind experience for nature lovers.

Visitors can expect to see meerkats playfully exploring their new enclosure near the Rock Garden, porcupines ambling through specially designed burrows, and most excitingly our African elephants trotting gracefully among the bluebells. These adorable, pocket-sized giants are sure to become a guest favourite, blending seamlessly with our existing residents while adding an unmistakable touch of the African savannah.

Conservation Meets Innovation

We are passionate about conservation and education, and this new initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to wildlife preservation. By bringing these species to Leonardslee, we aim to raise awareness about global biodiversity while offering visitors an unparalleled opportunity to learn about animals they might otherwise never encounter up close.

April Fools!

While we may not actually be adding meerkats, porcupines, or African elephants to the gardens, we do hope this little joke brought a smile to your face!

At Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens, we love celebrating nature in all its beauty, and we are always looking for fun ways to engage with our wonderful visitors. So, while there won’t be any African elephants trotting through the gardens anytime soon, you can still enjoy the breathtaking wildlife, some of which are our deer and our famous wallabies that already calls Leonardslee home.

See our baby joeys in the maternity enclosure being fed from 12:00 – 12:15 daily, or head over to our Bird Hide and see if you can spot some interesting birds as they enjoy the warmer weather.