Durrell

Founded by Gerald Durrell, the 31-acre park is home to more than 1,400 mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.

All species on display are either threatened with extinction themselves, or are being studied as cousins to species which are heavily endangered in the wild and urgently need help.

Rather than the standard fare of lions and elephants, visitors can become acquainted with lesser-known species like the Montserrat mountain chicken frog found only on two islands in the Caribbean, and the black lion tamarins which are allowed to roam free range in the park.

Also at home in the park are three generations of Sumatran orang-utans; mighty Ya Kwanza, the 222kg (35 stone) western lowland gorilla and his family; a Madagascan gentle lemur community; and silvery marmosets.

As visitors stroll through the grounds, Durrell’s conservationists are on-hand to explain how they look after each of the animals and how their work is helping to bring species back from the brink of extinction.

Durrell recently unveiled plans to develop the learning experience and enjoyment factor still further. These would feature a much larger gorilla facility recreating the forests of West Africa; an exhibit based on the Mascarene Islands which will allow visitors to walk through a dome with free ranging bats, birds and turtles; and eco-lodges to allow overnight stays in the park.