Paignton Zoo Paignton Zoo News 2017

[gentle lemur]

Blue due to it being Herbert Whitley's favourite colour of animal.

As I said earlier in this thread, I knew very little about Mr Whitley. But yesterday I stopped in the Gift Shop to buy a small fluffy monkey for my youngest great-niece and my eye was caught by pile of bright blue paperbacks discounted to 99p. Chimps Champs & Elephants by Jack Baker, was published in 1988, but written in a style reminiscent of 1888. I had never even heard of it before, but it seemed a small price to fill some of the gaps in my knowledge and it would fit on the same bookshelf as Zoo without Bars and Chimps with Everything. It is by no means a systematic history of Paignton Zoo and the Whitley Wildlife Trust, but it has a lot of anecdotes particularly about the shy and eccentric Mr Whitley. For example I had not realised that the original source of his wealth was the Greenall Whitley brewing company or that he supplied and accommodated many of the pigeons that were parachuted into occupied France in World War II to bring back messages from the French Resistance.

 

[Tim May]

.....my eye was caught by pile of bright blue paperbacks discounted to 99p. Chimps Champs & Elephants by Jack Baker, was published in 1988, but written in a style reminiscent of 1888. I had never even heard of it before, but it seemed a small price to fill some of the gaps in my knowledge and it would fit on the same bookshelf as Zoo without Bars and Chimps with Everything. It is by no means a systematic history of Paignton Zoo and the Whitley Wildlife Trust, but it has a lot of anecdotes particularly about the shy and eccentric Mr Whitley.....

I purchased a copy of this book when it was first published. It doesn't seem like almost thirty years ago; how time flies!

As you mention, it isn't a systematic history of Paignton Zoo so I was a little disappointed by it. Nevertheless, given the lack of literature about Paignton Zoo, it is certainly a bargain for 99p.

 

[pipaluk]

I purchased a copy of this book when it was first published. It doesn't seem like almost thirty years ago; how time flies!

As you mention, it isn't a systematic history of Paignton Zoo so I was a little disappointed by it. Nevertheless, given the lack of literature about Paignton Zoo, it is certainly a bargain for 99p.

I bought a copy for £1.99 in 2016 and like you was a little disappointed by it as it wasn't the typical ' history of.... Zoo' style book. I found it fairly hard going compared to some I have, but at 99p, definitely worth buying! I'm sure it must have cost much more in 1988!

 

[Gigit]

I bought a copy for £1.99 in 2016 and like you was a little disappointed by it as it wasn't the typical ' history of.... Zoo' style book. I found it fairly hard going compared to some I have, but at 99p, definitely worth buying! I'm sure it must have cost much more in 1988!

I bought my copy for whatever the going price was some years ago. I've often cursed the lack of an index when trying to find something that I'm sure I've read in it. The zoo will be 100 years old in 2023 - maybe they'll produce a historical book then.

 

[TriUK]

Work has started on the Savannah and cheetah enclosure extensions.

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

Work has started on the Savannah and cheetah enclosure extensions.

Any idea on what of the original will eventually come up?

 

[Shorts]

Quick questions (with apologies if mentioned before): Has anyone seen the Kiwi, in the flesh, in regular zoo hours?

 

[Gigit]

No, I haven't. Maybe he pops outside as it gets dark but I don't normally visit in the afternoon.

 

[littleRedPanda]

Not been mentioned since this post, so I guess not

Paignton Zoo - Paignton in 2017

 

[TriUK]

Quick questions (with apologies if mentioned before): Has anyone seen the Kiwi, in the flesh, in regular zoo hours?

He is only allowed outside once visitors and most staff have gone. There will be special viewings set up in 2018.

 

[Shorts]

He is only allowed outside once visitors and most staff have gone. There will be special viewings set up in 2018.

Any idea of the reasons for that? Is he that fragile?

 

[Pertinax]

Any idea of the reasons for that? Is he that fragile?

I think they can be quite nervous and when fleeing might blunder into things. That could be one reason apart from their nocturnal behaviour.

 

[Gigit]

I think they can be quite nervous and when fleeing might blunder into things.

That bodes well for the special viewing evenings - not that I'll be attending as I visited several kiwi exhibits in New Zealand a couple of years ago

 

[The Hedgehog]

Does anyone know if Paington has any animal departures or arivels planned for this year if so what animal is it and where are they going?

 

[TriUK]

Does anyone know if Paington has any animal departures or arivels planned for this year if so what animal is it and where are they going?

Tiger and Lion cubs will no doubt move on.
All stock that currently live in the areas that will be re-developed for the new savannah exhibit could be moved on as, aside from the Takin, preparations for alternatives have not been made so far.
I'd imagine one or more of the Giraffe will move on unless the females can be placed temporarily on contraception?
I think a new male Bongo should arrive soon to restart the breeding programme there.

 

[Pertinax]

I think a new male Bongo should arrive soon to restart the breeding programme there.

afaik its deliberate policy not to breed more Bongo, hence no male...

 

[Gigit]

I'd imagine one or more of the Giraffe will move on unless the females can be placed temporarily on contraception?.

I believe the daughters are already on contraception.