Rare Species Conservation Centre
The Rare Species Conservation Centre (RSCC) was a conservation centre and zoological gardens situated just outside Sandwich in Kent, England, operated by The Rare Species Conservation Trust, a UK registered charity. Its purpose was to educate visitors and create awareness of the plight of some of the world’s lesser-known rare and endangered species of animal. It was home to rare and unusual animals. It closed due to lack of funds on 31 August 2015.[1]
 Black-and-white ruffed lemur at the Monkey Rainforest, predecessor to the RSCC | |
| Date opened | 2006 |
|---|---|
| Date closed | 31 August 2015 |
| Location | Sandwich, Kent, England |
| Coordinates | 51°15′40″N 1°19′37″E |
| Land area | 1.5 acres (0.61 ha) |
History
The RSCC was created in 2006, having formerly been a small children’s zoo called The Monkey Rainforest which was home to species of lemurs, cats, birds, reptiles, and other creatures.
It closed on 31 August 2015 due to lack of funds.
Exhibits
The 1.5-acre (0.61 ha) zoo consisted of two major areas, an indoor covered rainforest and outdoor geographic areas, each divided into areas corresponding to the geographical groupings of the animals.
The indoor rainforest housed the collection of Australasian animals and those from South and Central America. It had a large stream running in a circular path throughout the exhibit, with two waterfalls and two large ponds.
The exterior had two main areas, one devoted to the fauna of Madagascar, and the other to animals from South-East Asia.
Animals
The RSCC housed species of birds, reptiles, mammals and amphibians from Africa, South America, Australasia and Asia including: Bali starling, Victoria crowned pigeon, american flamingo, Madagascar teal, binturong, clouded leopard, cotton-top tamarin, emperor tamarin, crowned lemur, fat-tailed dwarf lemur, fossa, Goeldi's monkey, jaguarundi, Owston's civet, potto, pygmy slow loris, red ruffed lemur, slow loris, spectral tarsier, western lesser bamboo lemur, rhinoceros hornbill, smooth-coated otter, sun bear, radiated tortoise, Malayan tiger, fishing cat and snow leopard.
Plans
The site occupied 1.5 acres (0.61 ha). The charitable trust that operated the centre hoped to expand into 5 acres (2.0 ha) adjacent to the current property.
