Paignton Zoo Paignton Zoo news 2024

Rohin said:
I apologize if this has been answered, but is the new baboon enclosure removing the crocodile house?
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The ‘Crocodile Swamp’ building is being removed due to the upkeep of the building. The zoo announced this back in mid-December ‘22. It had to close due to ongoing issues with the boiler and environmental control systems – and as temperature is such a vital component of reptile health and welfare, the exhibit was shut down. I believe all the reptilians have left the site [?]
 
Dr. Loxodonta said:
The ‘Crocodile Swamp’ building is being removed due to the upkeep of the building. The zoo announced this back in mid-December ‘22. It had to close due to ongoing issues with the boiler and environmental control systems – and as temperature is such a vital component of reptile health and welfare, the exhibit was shut down. I believe all the reptilians have left the site [?]
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I see. Is there hope of it being reused for its former purpose?
 
Dr. Loxodonta said:
Sadly, I doubt this. For those who visited Crocodile Swamp, its closure was purely depressing. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was one of the most engaging crocodilian enclosures in the country. More information about Crocodile Swamp here ;):

Paignton Zoo Prepares To Transform For The Future • Paignton Zoo
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Dennis Flynn, the ex military man, CEO, quoted in this article, is no longer in post and many of the points he makes about certain exhibits are being reviewed.
The zoo is being led by the trustees until the zoos immediate issues and finances are stabilised, but there is a fresh hope that the zoos future is more positive.
 
Dr. Loxodonta said:
The ‘Crocodile Swamp’ building is being removed due to the upkeep of the building. The zoo announced this back in mid-December ‘22. It had to close due to ongoing issues with the boiler and environmental control systems – and as temperature is such a vital component of reptile health and welfare, the exhibit was shut down. I believe all the reptilians have left the site [?]
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I really deplore this as the crocodilians maintained are quite those species with a conservation concern! Does anyone have further information where the crocodiles were transferred to?

TriUK said:
Dennis Flynn, the ex military man, CEO, quoted in this article, is no longer in post and many of the points he makes about certain exhibits are being reviewed.
The zoo is being led by the trustees until the zoos immediate issues and finances are stabilised, but there is a fresh hope that the zoos future is more positive.
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What is / are the reasons that Mr. Flynn, CEO, is no longer in post?

What are the changes we can expect in the 2024/2025 timeframe?
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
I really deplore this as the crocodilians maintained are quite those species with a conservation concern! Does anyone have further information where the crocodiles were transferred to?


What is / are the reasons that Mr. Flynn, CEO, is no longer in post?

What are the changes we can expect in the 2024/2025 timeframe?
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I’m not sure about Flynn, he’s not on the Wild Planet Trust staff list anymore and I heard something in passing about his departure, but not sure why? The cynic in me would lean towards him not achieving set targets and under-delivering or not improving the zoo in some ways ???, but I don’t really know?
All I do know, is that things on the ground already feel more open, transparent and positive, lined by a renewed sense of reality i.e. no ‘pie in the sky’ unrealistic dream like projects that were never actually going to happen!
 
TNT said:
Whilst disappointing, this will hopefully give the zoo the opportunity to establish some additional planting in the enclosure.
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I'm pleased as it means I will hopefully get to see the current classic enclosure one more time!
 
A trench has been dug in the desert house, a couple of metres in from the path. There are pre-cut logs on the ground, that look like they’re about to be concrete set into place to form a barrier (as was suggested down thread) to hold back the two recently arrived porcupines. The holding aviary (built to catch all the budgies, pigeons & parakeets) is still in place. I’d love to see some African Hornbill or Weavers in there - if the Avian Flu policy is reviewed?

It would be good to know how the zoo are progressing with sourcing new Takin, a new Rhino, a male Colobus, a male Tiger (once one of sisters depart) and male Ostrich & Binturong?

The netting has now been fixed onto the poles in the new Pelican enclosure (old Tapir paddock).

The old Coati house has almost been finished (there were imports ground works & roofing upgrades) to accommodate Binturong (Fig has been off-show when indoors) viewing.
 
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TriUK said:
A trench has been dug in the desert house, a couple of metres in from the path. There are pre-cut logs on the ground, that look like they’re about to be concrete set into place to form a barrier (as was suggested down thread) to hold back the two recently arrived porcupines. The holding aviary (built to catch all the budgies, pigeons & parakeets) is still in place. I’d love to see some African Hornbill or Weavers in there - if the Avian Flu policy is reviewed?
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I hope that it might be. The Desert House was always one of, if not my favourite exhibit at Paignton but the removal of the birds would seem to have removed all the life from it- though I haven't been since that happened. Hornbills, a flock of weavers, or just a return of the species they had before....
 
Pertinax said:
I hope that it might be. The Desert House was always one of, if not my favourite exhibit at Paignton but the removal of the birds would seem to have removed all the life from it- though I haven't been since that happened. Hornbills, a flock of weavers, or just a return of the species they had before....
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Yes, the loss of the birds from both there & the tropical house was a massive loss, but apparently, it was down to bird flu restrictions and the regularity of the storm damage to the roofs?
Talking of hornbills, I’d love to see the return of Abyssinian Ground Hornbills to the collection - they were an iconic Paignton species for so long.
 
Hoatzin said:
Takin- Highlands sending four males at some point, wispers of putting kune kune pigs in there in the meantime.
Male tiger- delayed due to paperwork issue, won't be coming for x amount of months.
Rhino- no update.
Binturong- no update
Ostrich- leaving collection to be paired elsewhere.
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Thanks Hoatzin, much appreciated.
Warthog would work where the Ostrich is now, unless she’s being replaced by Common Ostrich?
The Pelicans were released into the new aviary today & they look great. Well done Bird Dept who need a moral lift!
Kune Kune in the quarry is better than it lying empty but an exotic, non domestic would surely be preferable? Barbary Sheep or American wild sheep or…., let the goats in there?
 
TriUK said:
Thanks Hoatzin, much appreciated.
Warthog would work where the Ostrich is now, unless she’s being replaced by Common Ostrich?
The Pelicans were released into the new aviary today & they look great. Well done Bird Dept who need a moral lift!
Kune Kune in the quarry is better than it lying empty but an exotic, non domestic would surely be preferable? Barbary Sheep or American wild sheep or…., let the goats in there?
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I wouldn’t be surprised if the ostrich is going to Bristol and they just do a swap
 
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