Nature Centre to become Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park
Family favourite Birmingham Nature Centre will be relaunched as Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park on Saturday 12 April to highlight the fantastic work they do to support endangered species.
To celebrate, visitors can meet conservation groups and enjoy a range of talks on some of the Park's animals. And for younger visitors there's a chance to meet 'Dora the Explorer', 'Go Diego Go', 'Giant Pandas' and a 'Giant Red Squirrel' who will be on walkabout during the day!
Deputy Leader for Birmingham City Council, Cllr Ian Ward, said: “Over the last few years Birmingham Nature Centre has done some tremendous work for animal conservation and captive breeding programmes. It is part of an international breeding programme for the endangered Golden Lion Tamarin and many other endangered species and staff have built new enclosures for their expanding collection of endangered species.
“Because of this, we thought it was high time that the name reflected the important work done on site so Birmingham Nature Centre will become Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park on Saturday 12 April.”
Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park manager, Les Basford, added: “We are working with critically endangered species such as Aloatran Gentle Lemurs, Yellow Breasted Capuchin Monkeys, Northern Bald Ibis, Utila Island Iguanas and Cotton Topped Tamarins. We are also raising awareness of the plight of species and their habitats through a number of initiatives such as the 'cans for corridors' campaign.
“Our new name reflects the fact that we are focused on helping to save endangered species through our involvement in the European Endangered species Programme (EEP) captive breeding programmes and on bringing the plight of the world's dwindling biodiversity to the public's attention.”
Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park is located on Pershore Road, Edgbaston, two miles south of Birmingham City Centre. Admission is adults £5.50, concessions £4.50, children 3 - 15 years £3, children under 3 free, family ticket £18 for 2 adults and 3 children or £12.50 for 1 adult and 3 children.
The Park homes a wide range of animals, including charismatic and exciting species like Meerkats, Lemurs, Red Pandas, Golden Lion Tamarins, Ocelots, Yellow Breasted Capuchin Monkeys and Otters. It has a large collection of endangered reptiles and plays an important role in international breeding programmes for them.
The Park is a full member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquaria (BIAZA) and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). Through these associations the Park is proactive in a number of high profile European Endangered species Programmes (EEPs).
Useful information about the park (admission charges, opening times etc)
