Three southern ground hornbills have been given a new home at Drusillas Park, Alfriston following the closure of Cricket St Thomas Wildlife Park in Somerset.

Drusillas Park had been in talks with the failing attraction regarding a possible take over, after visitor numbers had fallen consistently over several years. However, after much consideration Drusillas’ Directors, Laurence and Christine Smith finally decided against the expansion. 

Laurence Smith commented: “We were keen to take the Drusillas brand and concept and revitalise the zoo at Cricket St Thomas but unfortunately the numbers just didn’t stack up.” 

Instead owners Warner Leisure Hotels, plan to reopen Cricket St Thomas during the spring, with a greater focus on garden features. This has meant that many of its larger animals have been re-homed and Drusillas agreed to take on three of the Park’s resident hornbills.

The family group, consisting of Jeffery, Gemma and their male offspring, Tumelo, arrived at Drusillas on Saturday 28th November. Since then they have been settling well within their new aviary, located next to the Great Grey Owls.

These large birds are found naturally in the dry and open habitats of southern Africa. They are very distinctive in appearance, with long legs and a large beak. They are covered in black feathers and have bare red skin on their face and throat.

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For more information please contact:

Claire Peters

Head of Public Relations

Drusillas Park

Tel: 01323 874112  Fax: 01323 874101

Email: claire.peters@drusillas.co.uk

About Drusillas Park

Drusillas Park in Alfriston, East Sussex is a small zoo where you can get nose to nose with nature. There are over 100 animal species in naturalistic environments including meerkats, penguins, monkeys, otters, bats, snakes and lemurs. For more information visit www.drusillas.co.uk

Directions – Drusillas (postcode BN26 5QS) is situated just off the A27 at Alfriston, approximately 7 miles from Eastbourne and 15 miles from Brighton.