Gatwick Zoo’s Final Chapter | London News

Once a beloved Surrey wildlife haven since 1973, Gatwick Zoo—run by the Thorpe family for 30 years—has closed its doors for good, making way for 17 new affordable homes after a hard-fought planning battle. The site, once home to 900 animals and drawing 70,000 visitors annually, saw its last day in 2002. Animals were relocated to zoos across the UK, and while Mr. Thorpe misses the thrill of wildlife care, he’s glad to leave behind the litter, rules, and routine. The green belt land’s transformation marks the end of an era—and the start of a new one for the community. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/cce5fd75032a53d7