Pictures of Sun Bear Heights and Jaguar Jungle at Herts zoo

Sun Bear Heights and Jaguar Jungle will be opening to the public for the first time on Saturday, April 1, 2023.

Visitors looking at a sun bear at Sun Bear Heights at Paradise Wildlife Park in Hertfordshire. (Image: Paradise Wildlife Park)

The two new state-of-the-art habitats introduce Vulnerable (IUCN Red List) species of sun bears, binturongs and Asian small-clawed otters to the park in a mixed species habitat.

Zookeepers at Paradise have also welcomed back their resident jaguars, Kumal and Kedera, who have been on holiday at PWP's sister site The Big Cat Sanctuary since pre-Covid works began on their habitat.

Lord-Lieutenent of Hertfordshire Robert Voss cuts the ribbon at Paradise Wildlife Park. (Image: Paradise Wildlife Park)

The grand opening of the new enclosures was held at the Herts zoo today (Monday), with Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire Robert Voss cutting the ribbon alongside Sally Burton DL, the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire.

Paradise Wildlife Park also welcomed Tottenham Hotspur player Lucas Moura, Love Island star Marcel Somerville, and internet sensation 'The Pool Guy' Miles Laflin.

CBeebies One Zoo Three presenters, Paradise Wildlife Park's very own brothers Tyler and Aaron Whitnall, were also there at the launch.

The Pool Guy Miles Laflin at Paradise Wildlife Park. (Image: Paradise Wildlife Park)

The opening of these new builds had been delayed due to COVID-19 and Brexit.

A spokesperson for the family-run Hertfordshire zoo said: "The public has been incredibly understanding of our delays and whilst these pushbacks were out of our control, we have embraced the additional time to create UK-first designed habitats."

Visitors to Jaguar Jungle looking at male jaguar Kumal. (Image: Paradise Wildlife Park)

Bespoke habitats Sun Bear Heights and Jaguar Jungle immerse visitors in the culture of the Pantanal of Brazil and the jungles of Southeast Asia, whilst teaching them about the need for conservation and protection of the species.

All species will act as ambassadors for their wild counterparts and with hope, in the near future, they will become part of the international breeding programme set out to protect the genetics of the animals.

Coinciding with Paradise Wildlife Park’s 39th anniversary - and the last year before rebranding to Hertfordshire Zoo on April 1, 2024 - these habitats mark a momentous turning point in the zoo's history.

Paradise Wildlife Park CEO Lynn Whitnall at the grand opening of Sun Bear Heights and Jaguar Jungle. (Image: Paradise Wildlife Park)

CEO Lynn Whitnall said: "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 in White Stubbs Lane, Broxbourne, will open the new habitats to the general public from April 1.

Tottenham player Lucas Moura feeds lions after the Jaguar Jungle and Sun Bear Heights launch at Paradise Wildlife Park. (Image: Paradise Wildlife Park)

Sun Bear Heights

Sun Bear Heights at Paradise Wildlife Park. (Image: Paradise Wildlife Park)

Here are pictures of the new Sun Bear Heights at Paradise Wildlife Park in Hertfordshire.

Indera, a male sun bear, at Paradise Wildlife Park's new Sun Bear Heights habitat. (Image: Paradise Wildlife Park)

Female sun bear Kyra climbing at Paradise Wildlife Park. (Image: Paradise Wildlife Park)

Binturong Rambutan at Paradise Wildlife Park. (Image: Paradise Wildlife Park)

Small-clawed otter at Paradise Wildlife Park. (Image: Paradise Wildlife Park)

Sun Bear Heights at Paradise Wildlife Park. (Image: Paradise Wildlife Park)

Sun Bear Heights habitat. (Image: Paradise Wildlife Park)

Sun Bear Heights habitat. (Image: Paradise Wildlife Park)

Jaguar Jungle

Jaguar Jungle at Paradise Wildlife Park in Hertfordshire. (Image: Paradise Wildlife Park)

Here are pictures of the new Jaguar Jungle at Paradise Wildlife Park in Hertfordshire.

Jaguar Jungle at Paradise Wildlife Park in Hertfordshire. (Image: Paradise Wildlife Park)

Female jaguar Kedera in Paradise Wildlife Park's new Jaguar Jungle. (Image: Paradise Wildlife Park)

Jaguar Kumal pouncing in Paradise Wildlife Park's new Jaguar Jungle. (Image: Paradise Wildlife Park)

Jaguar Kumal at Paradise Wildlife Park's new Jaguar Jungle. (Image: Paradise Wildlife Park)

Jaguar Jungle at Paradise Wildlife Park. (Image: Paradise Wildlife Park)

Jaguar Jungle at Paradise Wildlife Park. (Image: Paradise Wildlife Park)

Visitors to Jaguar Jungle at Paradise Wildlife Park. (Image: Paradise Wildlife Park)

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