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Crocodiles of the World
Crocodiles of the World is a zoo in Brize Norton, Oxfordshire in the United Kingdom specialising in crocodilia.[1] HistoryCrocodiles of the World was started by Shaun Foggett in 2011 at a site in Crawley Mill, Witney, before moving to Brize Norton, both in Oxfordshire, UK.[2][3] The creation of the original zoo was documented by a film crew for the television show Croc Man, which was broadcast on Channel 5.[4][5] Foggett had to sell his family home to fund the starting of the zoo.[2][6][7] AnimalsThere are 19 of the 24 crocodile species in the world at the park,[2] along with a range of other retiles, turtles, and tortoises, including a group of Galápagos tortoise. As well as the reptiles and amphibians, there are some meerkats, tamarins and birds.[8] The zoo has been involved in rescue rehoming, such as with taking in a crocodile which was kept in a greenhouse in Sweden.[9][10] A breeding programme has been successful, including being the first UK zoo (and second in Europe) to breed the false gharial (Tomistoma) crocodile with 10 of that species hatched in 2017.[11] Visitor experienceThe attraction is rated at 4.5 out of 5 on Tripadvisor.[12] As well as general admission, the zoo offers 'keeper experiences' with the crocodiles, meerkats, or monitor lizards.[13] Professional membership and recognitionThe zoo is a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA), which is the main trade organisation for British animal parks.[14] It was the winner of the Best New Business award at the West Oxfordshire business awards in 2013,[15] and won the Hospitality Award in 2015.[16] A photo of an American Alligator at the attraction was highly commended in the BIAZA 2020 photography competition.[17] References
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