Paignton Zoo Paignton Zoo 2023

gentle lemur said:
Yes, I also counted 4 empty vivariums in Reptile Tropics on Sunday, plus the pond turtle(s), monkey-tailed skink and crocodile lizard were in hiding. I don't understand why they can't put some extra reptiles on show - in particular it would be nice to include at least one snake, because I heard a father saying to his children 'lets see if we can find a snake' before they went in. People expect to see a snake at the zoo.
On the subject of birds, I understand that after the roof at that end of the building was damaged twice by high winds, it was decided not to hold birds there any longer. The number of birds in the Desert section seems to have been greatly reduced too, I only saw the bush thick-knee, 1 tinamou, 2 Princess of Wales parakeets, several crested pigeons and plenty of budgies (including 2 blue ones, which I wish they would remove): I hope that there were more birds in nest boxes at this time of year; but I was disappointed to see no finches, spreo starlings, Bourke's or hooded parakeets.
I'm not convinced that the central lobby section will be ideal for the sloth: it will come down to the ground to defecate every so often and so I think they will have to install a glass screen to separate it from the public.
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I saw three Tinamou last week, but was shocked also, to see the loss of parakeets, Wonga Pigeons and finches. It is now essentially a budgie walk through with a few extras.
I also understand why they didn’t release free-flight exotics into the tropical house after the storms and avian flu, but it would be possible to use the existing aviary and create space for one more, surely? It’s gone from being a very good exhibit to one I’ll barely bother with going forward. As previously mentioned, the management’s plan is to cut the bird species kept even further, and I fear for the Cottage and parrot aviaries at the northern end of the zoo!
 
gentle lemur said:
I reckon they were removed about 10 years ago. The species I remember are a few tortoises and a Gila monster (which was probably judged to be too risky in its open-topped enclosure).
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Reptiles were, I believe, moved out because of issues in maintaining the required temperatures for them in the building.
 
TriUK said:
I As previously mentioned, the management’s plan is to cut the bird species kept even further, and I fear for the Cottage and parrot aviaries at the northern end of the zoo!
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You keep saying this, with no evidence! Those aviaries have had a fair amount of work done in recent years so I’d be shocked if they were got rid of.
 
Rajang21 said:
You keep saying this, with no evidence! Those aviaries have had a fair amount of work done in recent years so I’d be shocked if they were got rid of.
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I desperately hope you are right and that I am proved wrong; I’ll hold my hand up high & apologise.
 
Rajang21 said:
You keep saying this, with no evidence! Those aviaries have had a fair amount of work done in recent years so I’d be shocked if they were got rid of.
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Maybe you should have the smelling salts to hand! We do talk to people at the zoo; we don't just make up things to annoy the zoo's dedicated supporters. Sometimes discretion is called for, sometimes it isn't.
 
Rajang21 said:
You keep saying this, with no evidence! Those aviaries have had a fair amount of work done in recent years so I’d be shocked if they were got rid of.
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….there are other parts of the zoo where work had been done only for them to be closed down or left empty, including Croc Swamp, cassowary area Owl aviaries, temperate house aviaries (where sloth is now), Ranch farm interior, Coati house, parrot flight houses etc etc. I don’t think that the current management give two hoots about what has gone before them, despite their recent centenary reflections of Herbert Whitley et al, they just appear intent on reducing the collection and creating more lovely garden spaces.
 
gentle lemur said:
I reckon they were removed about 10 years ago. The species I remember are a few tortoises and a Gila monster (which was probably judged to be too risky in its open-topped enclosure).
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I think I have memory of seeing a Beaded Lizard on my visit there in 2017. Not sure if I have a picture though..
 
Pertinax said:
The 'Desert House' has always been probably my favourite exhibit at Paignton. Its a pity to hear of this significant reduction of the birds in there.
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It saddens me about the birds because I’d understand if they were bringing more endangered birds to Paignton but it doesn’t seem like they’re gaining any which is ridiculous when they could help conservation
 
I visited this morning in monsoon like rain. There were some very sad & disappointed school groups desperately seeking indoor areas, and places to view animals. The cats and wolf were obviously under cover, the giraffe herd indoors and many glass viewing panels around the site steamed up. The middle section of Monkey Heights was blocked off without reason, meaning many guests were forced to double back and navigate a way round (there was no signage until the point of the barriers!).
However, the birds in the outdoor aviaries were all showing well.
A large and very tall aviary frame was being built at one end of the Desert House, a temporary structure to catch the remaining birds. Today there were budgies, crested pigeons and one glossy starling. I’m not sure if the place is just going to have a re-fit or a complete makeover - fruit bats? Whoever knows?
The Sloth area looks very good & I think the maintenance staff have done a great job.
A new dirt road has been created on the hill directly behind the old zebra stables, presumably an access road for the trucks & machinery needed to build the new baboon enclosure? I cannot find any planning applications on the Torbay site?
 
I visited again today and I took my time on 2 separate visits to the Desert House, so I can update and improve on the bird counts I posted last week. These are of course minimum figures, there will have been some birds out of sight: 1 bush thick-knee, 2 tinamou (I couldn't see 3 at the same time, as @TriUK did), 1 spreo starling, 6+ crested pigeons, at least 14 Princess of Wales parakeets (maintaining very low profiles, I think they are moulting) & 2 hooded parakeets (my favourites) with the multitude of budgies
I apologise for misleading numbers I posted previously, I should have been more thorough when I was counting.
 
gentle lemur said:
I visited again today and I took my time on 2 separate visits to the Desert House, so I can update and improve on the bird counts I posted last week. These are of course minimum figures, there will have been some birds out of sight: 1 bush thick-knee, 2 tinamou (I couldn't see 3 at the same time, as @TriUK did), 1 spreo starling, 6+ crested pigeons, at least 14 Princess of Wales parakeets (maintaining very low profiles, I think they are moulting) & 2 hooded parakeets (my favourites) with the multitude of budgies
I apologise for misleading numbers I posted previously, I should have been more thorough when I was counting.
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Thank you. This is good news, I think? I hope the parakeets stay in this exhibit.
 
Had a disappointing visit yesterday, lots of empty overgrown enclosures the zoo is obviously going through a improvement program but I’m glad I didn’t pay and used my twycross pass I’d certainly be annoyed if I had paid lol it’s a shame went there a few yrs ago but it’s not what it used to be
 
Trudie said:
Had a disappointing visit yesterday, lots of empty overgrown enclosures the zoo is obviously going through a improvement program but I’m glad I didn’t pay and used my twycross pass I’d certainly be annoyed if I had paid lol it’s a shame went there a few yrs ago but it’s not what it used to be
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This, sadly, is the general response from my friends, family & colleagues that have visited in recent months. My sister uses her Twycross pass too, as she lives in Leicestershire, but my other family members who live in Torbay have decided, after decades of membership, to let theirs expire.
 
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