Across our two parks in Kent, we are home to more than 1,100 animals from over 90 species from around the world and welcome more than 100 new births every year! We are proud to be the world’s leading breeder of Javan gibbons and among the most successful black rhino breeders outside of Africa.
Howletts is home to the UK’s largest African elephant herd, which has produced more births than all other British zoos combined. We were the first UK site to house Barbary lions (extinct in the wild) and continue to lead in breeding De Brazza’s and drill monkeys.
Our world-class standard of care and expert teams have led to notable breeding success with species including western lowland gorilla, Przewalski’s horses, dwarf forest buffalo, African lions, sambar deer, dwarf mongoose, and roan antelope.
Conservation Partnerships
Through our conservation partnerships, we have also achieved considerable success in international rewilding projects. Recently, we transferred seven Javan gibbons and three Javan langurs to a rewilding programme in Indonesia managed by our partners at The Aspinall Foundation — an important milestone that reflects our ongoing global commitment to combat the extinction crisis.
We are currently working closely with EAZA and the Black Rhino EEP on an ambitious rewilding project which will see three UK-born rhinos rewilded in Africa, continuing our leadership in global conservation
We remain committed to rewilding species from our existing collection and exploring new opportunities to support conservation through species acquisition.
Breeding Programme
At The Howletts Wild Animal Trust (THWAT), each of our parks follows a dedicated collection planning process shaped by our mission, goals, location, facilities, expertise, history, and budget.
Howletts and Port Lympne continue to manage the European captive breeding programmes (studbooks) for clouded leopards, African painted dogs, Javan gibbon, bush dogs and sambar deer, and are representatives on various committees such as roan antelope, lions, De Brazza’s monkey and Canid and Deer Tags. We also have representatives on the conservation translocation working group within Europe and on the IUCN Deer Specialist Group.
Our breeding efforts are centred on species suitable for future rewilding and reintroduction. Current breeding includes dwarf forest buffalo and sambar deer, both earmarked for future release.
The Future
In January 2026, we celebrated the birth of our 155th gorilla, a testament to our long-standing success in breeding, caring for, and rewilding this critically endangered species.
Working with the IUCN, EAZA and the Gorilla TAG will also enable us to return more Western lowland gorillas to the Congo in the coming years.
We are also working to bring more siamang gibbons into our parks in preparation for future rewilding initiatives in collaboration with The Aspinall Foundation’s Siamang Centre in Sumatra.