Africa Alive! facts for kids
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| Location | Kessingland, Suffolk, UK |
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| Land area | 80 acres (32 ha) |
| Coordinates | 52°25′7.5″N 1°42′19″E / 52.418750°N 1.70528°E |
| Memberships | WAZA, EAZA, BIAZA |
| Major exhibits | Plains of Africa, Farmyard |
| Website | www.africa-alive.co.uk |
Africa Alive! is an exciting zoo located in Kessingland, Suffolk, UK. You can find it just off the A12 road, about 2 kilometers (or 2 miles) south of Lowestoft.
This amazing zoo is part of the Zoological Society of East Anglia, which is a registered charity. This means it's a non-profit organization dedicated to helping animals. Africa Alive! is also a proud member of big international groups like the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), and the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA). These groups help zoos work together to protect wildlife.
Contents
The Story of Africa Alive!
Africa Alive! used to be known as Suffolk Wildlife Park. In 1991, another zoo called Banham Zoo took over the park. Their idea was to create a special place for animals they bred, so they wouldn't have to travel far.
They decided to focus on animals from the African continent, giving the park its unique theme. On March 21, 2006, the park officially changed its name to Africa Alive!. Later, in 2013, Africa Alive! and Banham Zoo both became part of the Zoological Society of East Anglia charity. This helps them do even more good work for animals.
Meet the Animals: Who Lives at Africa Alive!?
Africa Alive! is home to many incredible animals, all part of its African theme. Let's explore some of the amazing species you can see there!
Primates: Our Clever Cousins
Primates are a group of mammals that includes monkeys, apes, and lemurs. They are known for their intelligence and often live in social groups.
- Mongoose lemur
- Sclater's lemur
- Drill
- Chimpanzee
- King colobus
- Black lemur
- Ring-tailed lemur
- Black-and-white ruffed lemur
- Crowned lemur
- Red-bellied lemur
Other Mammals: Big and Small
Beyond primates, Africa Alive! has a wide variety of other mammals, from tiny meerkats to giant rhinos.
- Fossa
- African crested porcupine
- Aardvark
- Meerkat
- Short-clawed otter
- Straw-coloured fruit bat
- Cameroon sheep
- Somali black-headed sheep
- African hunting dog
- Somali wild ass
- Congo buffalo
- African lion
- Barbary sheep
- Southern white rhinoceros
- Cheetah
- Reticulated giraffe
- Blesbok
- Chapman's zebra
- Domestic water buffalo
- Bongo
- Sitatunga
- Lowland nyala
- Nile lechwe
- Kafue Flats lechwe
- Rock hyrax
- African pygmy goat
- Domestic rabbit
- Guinea pig
Birds: Feathers and Flight
The zoo also features many beautiful and interesting bird species, some of which are very colorful or have unique calls.
- Greater flamingo
- Grey crowned crane
- Demoiselle crane
- White stork
- Helmeted guineafowl
- White-faced scops owl
- Kenyan eagle owl
- Grey parrot
- Greater vasa parrot
- Milky eagle owl
- Egyptian vulture
- Hamerkop
- Black-masked lovebird
- Superb starling
- Ostrich
Reptiles and Invertebrates: Creepy Crawlies and Scaly Friends
Don't forget the reptiles and invertebrates! These animals might not have fur or feathers, but they are just as fascinating.
- Royal python
- African land snail
- Madagascan hissing cockroach
- Plated lizard
- Leopard tortoise
- Spur-thighed tortoise
