The two largest animal parks in Kent have announced they will re-open Monday.

The team at the Aspinall Foundation say they are "delighted" both Howletts Wild Animal Park, near Canterbury, and Port Lympne Reserve, near Hythe, can open their doors again after closing in March due to the coronavirus.

It follows the latest government advice that zoos and animal parks can now open, as more lockdown restrictions across the country are eased.

Non-essential shops are also set to open from Monday.

But bosses at the animal parks say measures will still be put in place to keep visitors, staff and the animals safe.

This includes restricting the number of day guests at each park until social distancing measures are relaxed further.

Tony Kelly, managing director, said: “We have planned how to re-open meticulously taking into account strict social distancing measures to protect all visitors, staff, and of course our animals.

"We are a charity whose reserves are used to fund the breeding of endangered species and conservation efforts here and overseas.

"It costs us £1.5m per annum just to feed the animals and reopening will ensure we are able to care for our animals and continue our rewilding and conservation projects.

"Unlike other zoos and animal parks locally, and indeed public parks and open spaces we have ample space to house a large number of visitors, and by limiting the numbers that can attend we will manage the number on site at any one time to ensure social distancing is maintained."

Other new measures that the parks will adopt include adding a one way system so that people can walk around each park and minimise contact and crossing points with other visitors, closing play areas, adding barriers to create safe distances to vulnerable animals, card only payments and encouraging people to buy pre-booked tickets in advance.

The food and beverages on offer will be a takeaway service only, extra manned toilets will be brought in and the retail shops will remain closed.

In addition the safari - which sees visitors travel on a vehicle together - will not run at Port Lympne.

All staff have also been issued with face masks and hand sanitiser will be freely available.

Animal parks have been struggling over the last few months with zero income and still many mouths to feed.

In March, bosses at Howletts and Port Lympne made a direct appeal to the public for cash and food donations.

The charity also usually generates income from overnight guests staying at its range of on-site accommodation.

It is not yet known when this might re-open, but the charity has still been advertising short breaks at its hotel and reserve at Port Lympne from August 1.

Wildwood, near Herne Bay, has also announced it will welcome visitors back on Monday.

The park will also add extra measures, including an online timed ticket system to limit numbers, extra toilets and a one-way system.

More animal stories, unusual finds and news from the RSPCA can all be found here

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