Paignton Zoo Paignton Zoo news 2024

Dr. Loxodonta

Dr. Loxodonta

Well-Known Member
As most people will know, last January, the zoo closed for two weeks, and this will be happening again this year. This is to just get things in order for the new year not anything serious. Paignton Zoo will be closed from the 8th to the 19th January for any ZooChatters who did not know this.

Due to the continued high winds, the big cats were off show and Tropical Trails and Arid Lands remained closed on the 31st December.

The new Baboon Area (Hamadryas Hill) seems to be coming along well, with only slight disruptions from the two storms.

The most exciting phase of this build is now beginning, with the state-of-the art baboon house!

The Red River Hog Triplets are now showing their adult colourations!
 
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Re. January closure, it will be interesting to see how the zoo tackle some big issues going forward into the new year. I wonder how many of the following points will be addressed/commenced in this two week window:

1. When the birds are removed from the desert house, what will replace them, if anything? There are a lot of off-show reptiles that could go on-show if the area was re-vamped?

2. The Bongo herd is down to two females, with one who is probably too old to breed.
Breeding success has been limited and the area may be ring-fenced as a bird area, when the new master plan is announced? The idea is to have all birds in one section of the zoo that can be sectioned off when avian flu restrictions hit. This will either be the ABC and surrounding area or the current parrot row and cottage aviary areas - or would they section both off?

3. Where will the new netted pelican area be, they are due to go back on-show in the near future?
When will the building of the new flamingo house be started?

4. Will the Orangs finally get some climbing opportunities provided for them on the main island?

5. Will the new master plan - soon to be announced - address the issue of the closed crocodile swamp, the soon to be empty baboon rock and the ‘old’ Ranch farm (being used as a temporary centenary exhibition) as one area, i.e. one huge footprint of land for re-development?

6. What will replace the red pandas when they move to the new area in the Takin quarry?

7. What will become of the hill paddocks currently housing one kangaroo, a small group of mostly off show swamp wallabies and an ageing group of Peccary?

8. Will the Tapir & Capybara area be re-developed - it is currently empty alongside a single red-necked Ostrich?

9. Will the proposed giraffe house refurbishment be delayed until the whole herd moves of their own accord to the elephant paddock? The plan is to add ground floor viewing similar to Marwell/Twycross and re-instate the walkway above, giving the giraffe access to both sides of the house.

2024 could be a very exciting year for Paignton and its Zoo. There is so, so much work to do and I genuinely hope that funds become available to transform this wonderful place back to its former glory, not necessarily by hugely increasing its collection, but by using huge empty areas for new exhibits or enclosure extensions. Let’s hope the master plan is announced soon so that everyone can support the zoo into the new year!
 
TriUK said:
5. Will the new master plan - soon to be announced - address the issue of the closed crocodile swamp, the soon to be empty baboon rock and the ‘old’ Ranch farm (being used as a temporary centenary exhibition) as one area, i.e. one huge footprint of land for re-development?
Click to expand...
Talking with a member of the staff I know, they spoke as if the whole Crocodile Swamp/Baboon Rock area was going to be flattened and completely re-designed! I asked what will happen with Baboon Rock itself and they replied “I am not sure but I heard plans for a new Reptile House”.
This was in the Summer and plans may have changed!
 
Dr. Loxodonta said:
Talking with a member of the staff I know, they spoke as if the whole Crocodile Swamp/Baboon Rock area was going to be flattened and completely re-designed! I asked what will happen with Baboon Rock itself and they replied “I am not sure but I heard plans for a new Reptile House”.
This was in the Summer and plans may have changed!
Click to expand...
Thank you. I hadn’t heard about a new reptile house, but that would be a great idea. I had heard that they wanted to build a new entrance & restaurant area, possibly linked to a hotel, but this was all very flaky. I’m not sure if the current restaurant & entrance buildings are reaching the end of their lifespan or if they could be re-purposed?
 
TriUK said:
Re. January closure, it will be interesting to see how the zoo tackle some big issues going forward into the new year. I wonder how many of the following points will be addressed/commenced in this two week window:

1. When the birds are removed from the desert house, what will replace them, if anything? There are a lot of off-show reptiles that could go on-show if the area was re-vamped?

2. The Bongo herd is down to two females, with one who is probably too old to breed.
Breeding success has been limited and the area may be ring-fenced as a bird area, when the new master plan is announced? The idea is to have all birds in one section of the zoo that can be sectioned off when avian flu restrictions hit. This will either be the ABC and surrounding area or the current parrot row and cottage aviary areas - or would they section both off?

3. Where will the new netted pelican area be, they are due to go back on-show in the near future?
When will the building of the new flamingo house be started?

4. Will the Orangs finally get some climbing opportunities provided for them on the main island?

5. Will the new master plan - soon to be announced - address the issue of the closed crocodile swamp, the soon to be empty baboon rock and the ‘old’ Ranch farm (being used as a temporary centenary exhibition) as one area, i.e. one huge footprint of land for re-development?

6. What will replace the red pandas when they move to the new area in the Takin quarry?

7. What will become of the hill paddocks currently housing one kangaroo, a small group of mostly off show swamp wallabies and an ageing group of Peccary?

8. Will the Tapir & Capybara area be re-developed - it is currently empty alongside a single red-necked Ostrich?

9. Will the proposed giraffe house refurbishment be delayed until the whole herd moves of their own accord to the elephant paddock? The plan is to add ground floor viewing similar to Marwell/Twycross and re-instate the walkway above, giving the giraffe access to both sides of the house.

2024 could be a very exciting year for Paignton and its Zoo. There is so, so much work to do and I genuinely hope that funds become available to transform this wonderful place back to its former glory, not necessarily by hugely increasing its collection, but by using huge empty areas for new exhibits or enclosure extensions. Let’s hope the master plan is announced soon so that everyone can support the zoo into the new year!
Click to expand...

No 1 - The Desert House is too cold for reptiles, the reason they were removed many years ago.
 
TriUK said:
Thank you. I hadn’t heard about a new reptile house, but that would be a great idea. I had heard that they wanted to build a new entrance & restaurant area, possibly linked to a hotel, but this was all very flaky. I’m not sure if the current restaurant & entrance buildings are reaching the end of their lifespan or if they could be re-purposed?
Click to expand...
Yes, the Reptile House idea seemed very appealing to me but those plans were rather flaky as well.

I’m not sure with the Entrance Building revamp as I believe it recently had renovations.
  • “Given our main entrance building a makeover. As you may already have heard, 2023 is Paignton Zoo’s centenary year and we’ve installed new banners, window art, and signage around our zoo.” -Paignton Zoos Website
 
TriUK said:
Thank you. I hadn’t heard about a new reptile house, but that would be a great idea. I had heard that they wanted to build a new entrance & restaurant area, possibly linked to a hotel, but this was all very flaky. I’m not sure if the current restaurant & entrance buildings are reaching the end of their lifespan or if they could be re-purposed?
Click to expand...

I really don’t think they have the money for what they have planned.
 
I believe that it’s risky but possible. Having the Centenary changes may have cost lots but it also made Paignton Zoo more Famous and it attracted more people!
 
polarbear said:
No 1 - The Desert House is too cold for reptiles, the reason they were removed many years ago.
Click to expand...
Yes, very true. Could vivarium ‘pods’ be used, or stand-alone vivariums like in the tropical house?
Perhaps it could be used to exhibit Fennec foxes or other desert dwelling mammals? I doubt they would demolish it so soon after renovating a sloth exhibit next door?
 
They could use it as a meerkat enclosure (with a re-plant an a curb raise) as the current one is planned to be demolished? Or they could have a Spiny Forest Lemur design like Bronx Zoo(unlikely)
 
Dr. Loxodonta said:
I believe that it’s risky but possible. Having the Centenary changes may have cost lots but it also made Paignton Zoo more Famous and it attracted more people!
Click to expand...
I’m not sure people visited the zoo this summer to visit the centenary hub, but may have gone on the ‘Zoonanza’ 100th birthday weekend in July, as we did, to celebrate with live music and special events.
 
TriUK said:
I’m not sure people visited the zoo this summer to visit the centenary hub, but may have gone on the ‘Zoonanza’ 100th birthday weekend in July, as we did, to celebrate with live music and special events.
Click to expand...
I was indicating the kids go free bit but yes, you have a point.
 
TriUK said:
Re. January closure, it will be interesting to see how the zoo tackle some big issues going forward into the new year. I wonder how many of the following points will be addressed/commenced in this two week window:

1. When the birds are removed from the desert house, what will replace them, if anything? There are a lot of off-show reptiles that could go on-show if the area was re-vamped?

2. The Bongo herd is down to two females, with one who is probably too old to breed.
Breeding success has been limited and the area may be ring-fenced as a bird area, when the new master plan is announced? The idea is to have all birds in one section of the zoo that can be sectioned off when avian flu restrictions hit. This will either be the ABC and surrounding area or the current parrot row and cottage aviary areas - or would they section both off?

3. Where will the new netted pelican area be, they are due to go back on-show in the near future?
When will the building of the new flamingo house be started?

4. Will the Orangs finally get some climbing opportunities provided for them on the main island?

5. Will the new master plan - soon to be announced - address the issue of the closed crocodile swamp, the soon to be empty baboon rock and the ‘old’ Ranch farm (being used as a temporary centenary exhibition) as one area, i.e. one huge footprint of land for re-development?

6. What will replace the red pandas when they move to the new area in the Takin quarry?

7. What will become of the hill paddocks currently housing one kangaroo, a small group of mostly off show swamp wallabies and an ageing group of Peccary?

8. Will the Tapir & Capybara area be re-developed - it is currently empty alongside a single red-necked Ostrich?

9. Will the proposed giraffe house refurbishment be delayed until the whole herd moves of their own accord to the elephant paddock? The plan is to add ground floor viewing similar to Marwell/Twycross and re-instate the walkway above, giving the giraffe access to both sides of the house.

2024 could be a very exciting year for Paignton and its Zoo. There is so, so much work to do and I genuinely hope that funds become available to transform this wonderful place back to its former glory, not necessarily by hugely increasing its collection, but by using huge empty areas for new exhibits or enclosure extensions. Let’s hope the master plan is announced soon so that everyone can support the zoo into the new year!
Click to expand...

And most importantly - when will the Nocturnal house reopen so we have a fighting chance of seeing Bruce!?
 
Cat-Man said:
And most importantly - when will the Nocturnal house reopen so we have a fighting chance of seeing Bruce!?
Click to expand...
I agree. It would be nice to see a nocturnal house being built into the master plan. The Trust work with so many endangered species (Owstons Civet, Loris, Kiwi etc) that would ‘fit’ their own conservation and education focus/agenda.
Well built indoor areas are good for our seasons in the U.K. too.
 
I hadn't even considered the seasonal aspect. With them losing the crocodile house and possibly the desert house that's indoor areas lost.
 
TriUK said:
1. When the birds are removed from the desert house, what will replace them, if anything? There are a lot of off-show reptiles that could go on-show if the area was re-vamped?
Click to expand...
polarbear said:
No 1 - The Desert House is too cold for reptiles, the reason they were removed many years ago.
Click to expand...
Are there plans in place to remove birds from the desert house, and if so why? Unless I am mistaken, with the reptiles having already left, that will leave the building without any captive inhabitants. I understand the significance that the botanical collection holds at Paignton, but an empty building, especially one that was as good as this, is a very questionable decision to say the least.
 
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