Tigers, a zebra and a leopard are among the potentially dangerous animals privately owned in Kent.

There are more than 100 wild creatures owned in the county, figures released by wildlife charity, the Born Free Foundation, show.

Dover has the highest number, with two tigers, an amur leopard and more than 25 different breeds of venomous snakes kept in the harbour town. These include puff adders, rhino vipers and timber rattlesnakes.

The two tigers and amur leopard belong to Wingham Wildlife Park and are being kept on a separate site as the zoo is in the process of producing a new enclosure.

Figures obtained by the charity through freedom of information requests to councils show 2,727 exotic animals are permitted to be privately owned in Great Britain, under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976

In Kent, a zebra can be found in Maidstone, while Medway is home to two spectacled caimans, a type of crocodile.

And in Canterbury, two caimans and six Savannah cats are owned privately.

Dr Mark Jones, Born Free’s head of policy, said: “It is unbelievable that, in this day and age, so many dangerous animals, including big cats, large primates, crocodiles and venomous snakes, continue to be legally kept in people’s homes in the UK.

“Increasing demand for and trade in all kinds of wild animals as exotic pets, puts owners and the wider public at risk of injury or disease.

“It also results in serious animal suffering, and the demand increases the pressure on many wild populations which are often already under threat.”

The figures show every region across England, Wales and Scotland had licences for dangerous wild animals.

The south-east of England was the region with the most dangerous wild animals. It had the highest number of primates, crocodilians and venomous snakes.

A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokesperson says anyone wishing to keep an animal under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act must be vetted and apply for a licence which sets out conditions on caring for the animal.

They add: “We keep this legislation under regular review to ensure it remains effective in keeping the public safe.”

They add the government increased the maximum prison sentence for animal cruelty to five years in 2021.

It is currently bringing forward legislation to prohibit primates being kept as domestic pets. The legislation will create a new licensing scheme setting stricter rules for private owners.