Spring Wildlife and New Arrivals Near Brighton

Spring has arrived in Sussex, and for those of us in Brighton looking for a day out, Drusillas Park near Alfriston is currently a focal point for local wildlife news. The big story this May is the birth of a healthy Colombian black spider monkey, born at the start of April 2026. This little one is the first offspring for mother Moa, who joined the park's resident group in October 2025. The family, which originally moved from Twycross Zoo, includes father Mo, mother Jamundi, and siblings Ernie and Dilly. Because Colombian black spider monkeys are classified as 'Vulnerable' on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss, this birth is a significant event for the park's conservation breeding programs. The zoo team has noted how the entire group is showing a shared interest in the new arrival, and they are currently running a public vote on social media to choose a name from a shortlist including Blanca, Bonita, Olaya, Kaya, and Kendall.

Beyond the new monkey, the park has seen a fair amount of activity recently. During their annual census, it was recorded that 22 new animals joined the collection in 2025, including 17 births on-site. This 10-acre zoo, which started as a tea cottage back in 1925, now houses over 800 animals and maintains a strong focus on education through initiatives like 'Conservation in Action' and partnerships with The Sloth Conservation Foundation. For visitors heading over this month, the park is operating on summer hours from 10:00 to 18:00, with last admission at 17:00. Online tickets generally start from £24 for adults and children over two, while seniors can find tickets from £22. The site is fully accessible, supporting the Sunflower Lanyard scheme and providing free parking for those driving from Brighton.

The park is structured with several themed areas that offer different ways to see the animals and keep active. The 'Rainforest Adventure' area includes the Jungle Jeeps and Amazon Skyrise, while 'SPARK' provides an immersive sensory play experience. You can also find the 'Safari Express' train, 'Jurassic Jungle', and 'Mungo's Maze' spread across the grounds. While the animals are the main draw, especially with the recent births, these installations provide a bit of variety for a full afternoon. If you need to get in touch with them for specific accessibility queries or group details, they can be reached at +44 01323 874100. It is a straightforward trip from Brighton for anyone interested in seeing how the new spider monkey is settling in with its family this spring.