The Aspinall Foundation is an internationally renowned animal conservation charity who are world leaders in the breeding and protection of endangered animals.

The Foundationthat animals deserve, wherever possible, to live in their natural environments, free from the persecution of humans – from hunting, trapping and loss of their habitat. For too long humans have threatened and destroyed the forests, plains and rivers that animals live in. The Foundation recognises that we have a responsibility to tackle this destruction and rebuild the population of the many endangered animals.

There are three strands to The Aspinall Foundation’s work:
 

  • To halt the extinction of endangered species in the wild by reintroducing animals and developing sustainable conservation activities; providing economic benefits to local communities and helping manage wilderness areas.
  • Provide the most natural environment possible for animals in both the Howletts and Port Lympne animal parks, and be world leaders in animal husbandry and breeding programmes.
  • Increase public understanding of animal welfare and how we can all act to protect animals in their natural environments.

 
Howletts and Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks are renowned for high standards of animal welfare and captive breeding for endangered species.

Through their work at the parks The Aspinall Foundation are world leaders in breeding western lowland gorillas and have seen 138 born to date. Other achievements so far:
 

  • The first successful captive birth in Britain of a Javan Gibbon
  • The first ever Honey Badger born in captivity
  • The largest herd of African Elephant in the UK (at Howletts)
  • The Aspinall Foundation are Europe’s largest breeders of Clouded Leopards & Fishing Cats
  • Over 30 Eastern Black Rhino births in the Parks

 
The Foundation has been able to release back to the wild a huge number of endangered species including:
 

  • 8 Black Rhino
  • 49 Javan langurs
  • 9 Javan gibbon
  • 11 European Bison
  • 60 Western Lowland Gorillas

 
However, The Aspinall Foundation needs help. The upkeep of the animals’ facilities at the parks is a continuous task. Materials are always required to help build new shelters and repair existing ones.

Amongst the current material requirements are sheet steel, to mend the roof of the Bear shelter, steel uprights to repair the Rhino paddock, rolls of chain-link to repair the Baboon enclosures and materials to mend the fencing around the park that keep the Rhinos secure.

Donations of materials, or funds to buy materials, would help to secure the futures of these animals, whose natural habitats are being decimated and many of whom are killed by poachers.

For more information, a full list of material requirements, or if you would like to make a donation please contact Jane Thomson at Informare PR & communications.

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