Got it, I see. Thanks for update.
Paignton Zoo Paignton Zoo 2022
- Thread starter Gigit
- Start date
Well said. Oddly, I know lots of paths, I don’t go to the zoo to see one
I think it might be a good idea for one of the zoo's regular visitors to create a separate wishlist-type thread for Paignton Zoo. Not a fantasy thread, but a calm, constructive, real-world list of exactly what they and other regulars would like to see happen at their home zoo over the next few years for it to eventually be back to where it should be.
Here's an example thread that was started several years ago; Dudley Wishlist/Ideas for the Future [Dudley Zoological Gardens] - ZooChat. It has been interesting to watch as many of the things listed slowly came to fruition.
Thanks Benosaurus.
This could be a valuable and positive way forward.
The negativity, from me, towards PZ in its current position is borne out of genuine care, love and a deep passion for its past, present and future. I’m acutely aware of its importance to the local economy, the people of S Devon and the conservation projects it supports. It hurts to see its demise, but I’m sincerely hopeful it will get better.
I have been thinking about the challenge @Benosaurus has set those of us who regularly visit Paignton. I must add that I haven't been able to visit the zoo since it was closed in January, so I hope that at least some of the short term suggestions below are already being implemented as the zoo gets ready for summer visitors.
Short term - and relatively cheap
Medium term - minor investments
Longer term - when some money is available
Short term - and relatively cheap
Wherever possible, put animals into the empty exhibits. The dwarf mongooses are a start and more new species would be welcome, perhaps porcupines in Bruce's old enclosure below the red pandas. If necessary move animals around, for example could some of the Princess of Wales parakeets from the Desert House have a summer holiday in one of old macaw aviaries?
If an exhibit has to remain empty, put a big sign in front explaining why and suggesting what might be seen there eventually. It is a big mistake to give visitors the chance to stare into an empty exhibit (even ZooChat nerds don't like it).
Check that all the existing labels are accurate and that nothing is unlabelled (even in the Amphibian Ark).
If an exhibit has to remain empty, put a big sign in front explaining why and suggesting what might be seen there eventually. It is a big mistake to give visitors the chance to stare into an empty exhibit (even ZooChat nerds don't like it).
Check that all the existing labels are accurate and that nothing is unlabelled (even in the Amphibian Ark).
Medium term - minor investments
I believe that there are no animal exhibits in the footprint of the old Brookside aviary, so that once visitors enter the zoo, they can see no animals until they reach the big cats etc. I think it would be nice to revamp the rocky pool in the corner of the site and then build an exhibit around it for small-clawed otters or bush dogs - both are active and popular species which should be relatively easy to obtain and to house.
At the other end of the zoo, the rocky area opposite the takin is crying out for development. An aviary for keas would be nice: a landscaped enclosure for Pallas's cats would be even nicer. Either way, add a big sign beside the Giraffe House to direct visitors to this underused part of the zoo.
Beg, buy or borrow 1 or 2 half-grown eland and put them in the old elephant paddock. Let the giraffes get used to them, then open the gates between the paddocks. Eland are relatively calm antelopes and can certainly be mixed with giraffes. I base this suggestion on the 'dither fish' idea; if fish keepers want to tempt a shy fish to show themselves, they often put a few small, active fishes into the tank to prove that it's safe to come out of hiding.
If that works, think about moving the zebra across the path etc.
At the other end of the zoo, the rocky area opposite the takin is crying out for development. An aviary for keas would be nice: a landscaped enclosure for Pallas's cats would be even nicer. Either way, add a big sign beside the Giraffe House to direct visitors to this underused part of the zoo.
Beg, buy or borrow 1 or 2 half-grown eland and put them in the old elephant paddock. Let the giraffes get used to them, then open the gates between the paddocks. Eland are relatively calm antelopes and can certainly be mixed with giraffes. I base this suggestion on the 'dither fish' idea; if fish keepers want to tempt a shy fish to show themselves, they often put a few small, active fishes into the tank to prove that it's safe to come out of hiding.
If that works, think about moving the zebra across the path etc.
Longer term - when some money is available
Build a pool at the bottom of the paddock opposite the maned wolves (where the sheep are now) and a new house in one of the corners and then move the tapirs into it - perhaps add capybara and/or rhea too.
Design and build a new nocturnal house, perhaps on the north-facing side near the cheetahs. It should have a one-way path for visitors, carefully planned illumination and enough space for volunteers to help visitors and check that they follow the rules (no phone lights, camera flashes etc). There should be space for the pygmy slow lorises, tenrecs and the kiwi and perhaps a couple more species, such as Seba's short-tailed bats, sugar gliders or kinkajous.
Then demolish and redevelop the area around the old tapir paddock and nocturnal house, after moving the ostriches, dwarf mongooses and dear old Bruce (if he's still with us).
Decide what to do with the bird show and its building (although that could come higher up the list).
Design and build a new nocturnal house, perhaps on the north-facing side near the cheetahs. It should have a one-way path for visitors, carefully planned illumination and enough space for volunteers to help visitors and check that they follow the rules (no phone lights, camera flashes etc). There should be space for the pygmy slow lorises, tenrecs and the kiwi
and perhaps a couple more species, such as Seba's short-tailed bats, sugar gliders or kinkajous.Then demolish and redevelop the area around the old tapir paddock and nocturnal house, after moving the ostriches, dwarf mongooses and dear old Bruce (if he's still with us).
Decide what to do with the bird show and its building (although that could come higher up the list).
Zoo utsi leon
Active Member
Does anyone know what happened to Daphne (the female bactrian camel) after carmel passed away
Some nice ideas there. I’m torn between visiting the place (because I’ve known and loved it for more than fifty years) and being afraid I’ll find it too depressing. Seems like the sparkle has gone from ‘The King of Zoos’I have been thinking about the challenge @Benosaurus has set those of us who regularly visit Paignton. I must add that I haven't been able to visit the zoo since it was closed in January, so I hope that at least some of the short term suggestions below are already being implemented as the zoo gets ready for summer visitors.
Short term - and relatively cheap
Wherever possible, put animals into the empty exhibits. The dwarf mongooses are a start and more new species would be welcome, perhaps porcupines in Bruce's old enclosure below the red pandas. If necessary move animals around, for example could some of the Princess of Wales parakeets from the Desert House have a summer holiday in one of old macaw aviaries?
If an exhibit has to remain empty, put a big sign in front explaining why and suggesting what might be seen there eventually. It is a big mistake to give visitors the chance to stare into an empty exhibit (even ZooChat nerds don't like it).
Check that all the existing labels are accurate and that nothing is unlabelled (even in the Amphibian Ark).
Medium term - minor investments
I believe that there are no animal exhibits in the footprint of the old Brookside aviary, so that once visitors enter the zoo, they can see no animals until they reach the big cats etc. I think it would be nice to revamp the rocky pool in the corner of the site and then build an exhibit around it for small-clawed otters or bush dogs - both are active and popular species which should be relatively easy to obtain and to house.
At the other end of the zoo, the rocky area opposite the takin is crying out for development. An aviary for keas would be nice: a landscaped enclosure for Pallas's cats would be even nicer. Either way, add a big sign beside the Giraffe House to direct visitors to this underused part of the zoo.
Beg, buy or borrow 1 or 2 half-grown eland and put them in the old elephant paddock. Let the giraffes get used to them, then open the gates between the paddocks. Eland are relatively calm antelopes and can certainly be mixed with giraffes. I base this suggestion on the 'dither fish' idea; if fish keepers want to tempt a shy fish to show themselves, they often put a few small, active fishes into the tank to prove that it's safe to come out of hiding.
If that works, think about moving the zebra across the path etc.
Longer term - when some money is available
Build a pool at the bottom of the paddock opposite the maned wolves (where the sheep are now) and a new house in one of the corners and then move the tapirs into it - perhaps add capybara and/or rhea too.
Design and build a new nocturnal house, perhaps on the north-facing side near the cheetahs. It should have a one-way path for visitors, carefully planned illumination and enough space for volunteers to help visitors and check that they follow the rules (no phone lights, camera flashes etc). There should be space for the pygmy slow lorises, tenrecs and the kiwi
Then demolish and redevelop the area around the old tapir paddock and nocturnal house, after moving the ostriches, dwarf mongooses and dear old Bruce (if he's still with us).
Decide what to do with the bird show and its building (although that could come higher up the list).
Gigit
Well-Known Member
As far as I am aware, Daphne died in October 2019 - but others might know better.
The Hedgehog
Well-Known Member
Are Paignton Zoo getting more Bactrian Camals?
Gigit
Well-Known Member
The Ape House is closed for essential maintenance.
The former rhea/assorted bird enclosure behind the restaurant is devoid of birds and the fence is being taken down.
The lion exchange with Newquay is said to be taking place in mid-May. The shelter at the bottom of the lion enclosure has been dismantled.
The former rhea/assorted bird enclosure behind the restaurant is devoid of birds and the fence is being taken down.
The lion exchange with Newquay is said to be taking place in mid-May. The shelter at the bottom of the lion enclosure has been dismantled.
Any word on where Yali is going ?
I believe that at the time of my visit in 2017, the zoo had both Darwin's Rhea, and some nice Greater Rhea..
A bit of a pity
I get the impression quite a lot of the zoo is ‘devoid of birds’.
Gigit
Well-Known Member
He's going to Newquay. Originally I heard that was just temporary until arrangements can be made for him to go to a zoo with Asiatic lions but I don't know if that's still the case.
Gigit
Well-Known Member
I think the departure of many birds has been going on since June 2000. The decision seems to have been taken at the same time as Living Coasts was closed.
The Hedgehog
Well-Known Member
With all of the new pavements,Paignton Zoo is on the road to improvement. These are my hopes for this year.
1. The return of Bactrian Camals
2. The relocation of the Rothschild Giraffes into Duchess’s old enclosure.
3. The relocation of the Zebras to the Giraffe enclosure
4. The reopening and arrival of Fruit Bats and Aye Ayes to the Nocturnal House.
5. The relocation of some of the Male Gorillas to allow Females to arrive. I would love Paignton to have a breeding Family.
6. A refurbishment of the tropical house to include Sloths and Tamerins.
1. The return of Bactrian Camals
2. The relocation of the Rothschild Giraffes into Duchess’s old enclosure.
3. The relocation of the Zebras to the Giraffe enclosure
4. The reopening and arrival of Fruit Bats and Aye Ayes to the Nocturnal House.
5. The relocation of some of the Male Gorillas to allow Females to arrive. I would love Paignton to have a breeding Family.
6. A refurbishment of the tropical house to include Sloths and Tamerins.
1. Obviously a choice for the zoo's management, but I hope they don't bring camels back. The enclosure was/is not great for visitors or animals and domestic Bactrian camels have no conservation relevance.
2 & 3. Will happen when they happen - I would assume the mammal dept. want to stress the zebra herd as little as possible given they now seem stable and successful after a long period of 'one step forward, two steps back.'
4. The nocturnal house needs knocking down and (hopefully) replacing - in its current state it would not be an adequate home for either bats or aye-ayes (if Paignton were ever to aim at getting either) - at the very least it's not big enough for either.
5. None of Paignton's current male gorillas will ever be breeding males unless the EEP Coordinator has a radical change of heart, and the building is not designed to house a breeding troop.
6. Nice idea, but probably unlikely considering the zoo has several decent tamarin enclosures elsewhere already. I'm sure sloths were suggested to share an indoor enclosure in Monkey Heights if/when the mangabeys and spider monkeys swapped enclosures, but I think this was a plan curtailed by the pandemic.