Paignton Zoo Paignton Zoo 2021
- Thread starter TriUK
- Start date
For the first time in a long time, and spurred by Gigit’s photos of a lone hog and lone squirrel monkey, I went on to trip advisor to try to gauge the paying visitors views on our zoo. As expected, and echoing what I over hear on my visits, guests do seem frustrated by the perceived and actual ‘lack of animals’ and empty exhibits. It breaks my heart and I think the zoos responses to criticism could be better managed. When I have raised the issue of the numerous empty or low stocked aviaries and paddocks, the strap line is ‘…we are moving animals around from off show but do not want to disturb breeding’. This may well be true, but it smacks of poor planning and won’t satisfy most holiday guests. Brexit & Covid are openly used as reasons for the zoos current state, which I don’t dispute, but one could easily walk from the ABC centre to the exit via the big cats at the moment and only see an Egret and a distant shadow of a Cassowary. I’m ok with this as I know where to look, but for many that is the first or last impression/memory of PZ. My family are refusing to rejoin despite my protests and declarations that things will improve, but the Park is losing favour & trust with loyal locals (colleagues at work have stated the same).
Gigit
Well-Known Member
The impression visitors get can't be helped by the bindweed, brambles, nettles etc which have been allowed to take over in many places. There is a case for providing wildlife habitats, but it should be controlled and I almost want to take my own secateurs in. I'm sure they'll get complaints if children are stung or scratched by the plants coming through fences at child face height. They'll cut down vegetation in animal habitats if people complain they can't see the animals, but it's the foliage growing between the path and the exhibit that is very often the problem.
I understand the reasons for the lack of animals but am still disappointed - casual visitors won't know about the problems the zoo has had over the last 5 years or so or, possibly, have even forgotten that it's been closed twice because of Covid. Someone on Trip Advisor said the train obviously hadn't run for ages - of course it hadn't; the zoo was closed! And I don't know what they expect the zoo to do about the hills - this is Devon! I'm very disappointed about the departure of so many birds, not to mention the two orangutans who actually made the most of their surroundings rather than imitating hearth rugs (but, of course, I have mentioned them! Bitter, me?)
Hopefully those complaining about a lack of animals aren't the same ones I see walking straight past enclosures that aren't empty. Their prerogative, of course. We can't all be intensely interested in animals. I suspect for a lot of summer visitors it's just somewhere on their list of places to visit. I'll carry on visiting because I love watching animals, it's a nice place to be outside the school holiday season (when it's more of a punishment than a pleasure), I can chat to like-minded people, it's close by, and I can sometimes get a decent cup of coffee in front of a beautiful view.
I don't think I've made a point here - just rambling like the bindweed
I agree. I’ll be renewing my membership as a single adult. It’s sad, but I have hope and post TB, post C-19 & post Brexit, I think Paignton will rise again as a collection of significance in the UK.The impression visitors get can't be helped by the bindweed, brambles, nettles etc which have been allowed to take over in many places. There is a case for providing wildlife habitats, but it should be controlled and I almost want to take my own secateurs in. I'm sure they'll get complaints if children are stung or scratched by the plants coming through fences at child face height. They'll cut down vegetation in animal habitats if people complain they can't see the animals, but it's the foliage growing between the path and the exhibit that is very often the problem.
I understand the reasons for the lack of animals but am still disappointed - casual visitors won't know about the problems the zoo has had over the last 5 years or so or, possibly, have even forgotten that it's been closed twice because of Covid. Someone on Trip Advisor said the train obviously hadn't run for ages - of course it hadn't; the zoo was closed! And I don't know what they expect the zoo to do about the hills - this is Devon! I'm very disappointed about the departure of so many birds, not to mention the two orangutans who actually made the most of their surroundings rather than imitating hearth rugs (but, of course, I have mentioned them! Bitter, me?)
Hopefully those complaining about a lack of animals aren't the same ones I see walking straight past enclosures that aren't empty. Their prerogative, of course. We can't all be intensely interested in animals. I suspect for a lot of summer visitors it's just somewhere on their list of places to visit. I'll carry on visiting because I love watching animals, it's a nice place to be outside the school holiday season (when it's more of a punishment than a pleasure), I can chat to like-minded people, it's close by, and I can sometimes get a decent cup of coffee in front of a beautiful view.
I don't think I've made a point here - just rambling like the bindweed
Gigit
Well-Known Member
The Lake Titicaca water frogs are on display in the Amphibian Ark.
The last substantial tree trunk on the orang islands has succumbed. All of the remaining hoses were attached to it so there are none left suspended. The three orangs did use them for crossing the moat in preference to the bridge.
The last substantial tree trunk on the orang islands has succumbed. All of the remaining hoses were attached to it so there are none left suspended. The three orangs did use them for crossing the moat in preference to the bridge.
Gigit
Well-Known Member
No sign of any work going on in the elephant/giraffe house. The little digger has gone.
Some ramps and paths are closed for 'maintenance' - Monkey Heights' ramp up to the Dormice, bridge leading to the Coati, ramp leading to the Ape House, gorilla side, gorilla viewing platform near Pelican Lake. A wooden fence, presumably a stand-off one, has been erected alongside the wall of the rhino paddock, opposite the mandrills.
I haven't spotted any new arrivals. We pointed out a (hopefully) sleeping Red River Hog to a family today and commented that she wasn't moving. The reply was 'perhaps they're using statues now'
I haven't see the Kiwi for a while. There's nothing on the video screen. Either the screen's not working or he's gone?A ridiculously long queue to get into the Ape House around midday! Herd mentality - see a queue and join it. I didn't myself, having visited the area first thing, and seen the orangs and one gorilla outside and Pertinax inside (while everyone was queuing to get into the Tropical House or whatever it's called now).
Its still on the A- Z animals list on their website...
Just returned from PZ. Gardens look great, so lush & tropical feeling.
I think that the Maned Wolf enclosure, being in the centre of the zoo, should be used for a species which is more active in daylight hours (Bush Dog, Dingo…). The Desert House looked great but otherwise there have been no imports, moves or arrivals that I could see.
I think that the Maned Wolf enclosure, being in the centre of the zoo, should be used for a species which is more active in daylight hours (Bush Dog, Dingo…). The Desert House looked great but otherwise there have been no imports, moves or arrivals that I could see.
Desert House is their best exhibit IMO.
TV star concerned about cheetah's living space at zoo
Though I don’t like DevonLive, this popped up on social media & I found it interesting. I’ve said for years (directly to the zoo & on this forum) that PZ do not communicate with their guests enough about enclosure design, up-coming projects and the inhabitants themselves. The PZ statement did not say that the off-show area was used to hold Maned Wolves for almost a year!! The on-show paddock is too small and is better suited for Serval or Aardwolf.
Though I don’t like DevonLive, this popped up on social media & I found it interesting. I’ve said for years (directly to the zoo & on this forum) that PZ do not communicate with their guests enough about enclosure design, up-coming projects and the inhabitants themselves. The PZ statement did not say that the off-show area was used to hold Maned Wolves for almost a year!! The on-show paddock is too small and is better suited for Serval or Aardwolf.
Gigit
Well-Known Member
I'm no cat expert, but I've always thought it a misconception that cheetahs need space to run fast. They run to catch prey, not as a hobby, and in a zoo they're fed meat, not live animals. I've often heard visitors voicing the TV star's concerns over the years so maybe an educational sign is required (unless it's me who needs educating?) That said, they've had little success with the cheetahs in that enclosure with the various permutations they've tried, so maybe it's time for a change.
I totally agree, in fact, until the C-19 and TB crisis’s, there was red & white tape laid out to highlight the extension to the on-show paddock. They have never bred Cheetah in that enclosure and perhaps a move down the hill to swap with the Maned Wolves or up onto the opposite hillside would be good for them? It does need considering, but in the short term a focus on educating the guests about areas they can’t see (to de-bunk awkward questions) would help.
You are exactly right. They'd need a paddock hundreds of yards long to allow the full sprint/dash which is prey-catching behaviour and live prey or one of those 'electric hares' to stimulate it. Outside of that they only walk about apart from maybe gambolling around playfully sometimes which a normal-sized paddock allows.
Last edited:
I think perhaps its more likely to be the individual Cheetahs that are responsible for no breeding there, rather than the enclosure itself. They seem rather 'finickity' about partners for breeding.
Gigit
Well-Known Member
According to my very unofficial records, there were births in 2009 and 2012 from previous pairings, but none survived. I think the current pair, who arrived in 2016 and 2017, were largely kept apart to avoid overfamiliarity, but are now together presumably because of the maned wolf situation.
I’m not sure if I’ve just been unlucky on my previous visits throughout the summer (most between 3 - 6 pm), but I have been unable to spot the Maned Wolves in the new refurbished enclosure. Has anyone else had success?
I’ve also had little luck seeing the Lion.
There is currently one giraffe that still refuses to leave the building to access the paddock and none have yet ventured into the elephant paddock despite the gate being open for months.
There seems to be more Nicobar Pigeons in the tropical house.
Some of the interactive screens from Living Coasts were being installed in the indoor play area yesterday. I wonder how much more has been salvaged?
I’ve also had little luck seeing the Lion.
There is currently one giraffe that still refuses to leave the building to access the paddock and none have yet ventured into the elephant paddock despite the gate being open for months.
There seems to be more Nicobar Pigeons in the tropical house.
Some of the interactive screens from Living Coasts were being installed in the indoor play area yesterday. I wonder how much more has been salvaged?
Gigit
Well-Known Member
There's only one Maned Wolf left - the father, I believe. I did see him first thing a few weeks ago, racing round the enclosure, but no sightings since. Heard but not seen the lion - but I tend not to hang around the busy spots at the moment. I've avoided the tropical house too. I have been lucky enough to see all six giraffes outside, but just twice (I took photos!)