Paignton Zoo Paignton Zoo news 2024

gentle lemur said:
In principle I am very much in favour of restoring the Crocodile Swamp, but I can't help having some nagging doubts. How structurally sound is the building? If the cost of heating is a major concern, could they lower the roof to avoid heating so much empty space? Could solar panels and/or heat pumps reduce running costs enough to justify their higher capital costs?
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From the Zoos Facebook Page:

“You told us... we heard you... and now we are on a mission to Bring Back the Swamp!?

Our hugely popular Crocodile Swamp exhibit sadly closed its doors in 2022. This unique and immersive space was home to threatened crocodiles, mesmerising snakes, and a host of other fascinating creatures to inspire and engage our visitors. Now, we're ready to bring it back to life!

We are appealing to our community to help us Bring Back the Swamp! We're determined to reopen the swamp and give it the revitalisation it deserves. With your support, we can rebuild the entrance, restore the interior, and introduce some new fascinating animals to inspire the next generation!”
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After reading this and the news about the nocturnal house, I really believe that Paignton will come back from the brink! I can’t explain how amazing this is, with the right actions this zoo shall never fade. My only concern is the money, how will so much funding be possible after the price cutting mention further up the thread?


Other News:
Paignton is thrilled to see that some of the flamingo's eggs have hatched successfully. Congrats to proud parents: Florence & Flame, Frenchy & Del, Flossi & Lando, Curtis & Arthur.

More information/Video here:
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Visited the Highland Wildlife Park today and was lucky enough to do one of the VIP tours.

Got to ask about the Takin and the education officer we had said it’s not a rumour she’s heard!
 
Dr. Loxodonta said:
Paignton is thrilled to see that some of the flamingo's eggs have hatched successfully. Congrats to proud parents: Florence & Flame, Frenchy & Del, Flossi & Lando, Curtis & Arthur.
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The zoo announced today that Curtis and Arthur's chick was a historic birth because they are both male, and this was their first same-sex hatching. Though they have had several same-sex flamingo pairings before, this is the first time that they actually successfully hatched and raised a chick this way. Presumably what happened was that another flamingo couple abandoned the egg and Curtis and Arthur "adopted" it and are now raising the chick.
Pair of Chilean male flamingos hatch egg at Devon zoo.
 
Does anybody know when the cassowary’s are leaving the collection, as I am hoping to see them one last time on the the 27th.
 
Taken from social media

Exciting News: We have Hoglets!

Last week, our Paignton Zoo family grew with the arrival of two adorable Red River Hoglets, born to the wonderful Winnie and Humphrey! These little ones are settling in well, running around and causing mischief.

This is Winnie’s second litter and her three eldest, Spud, Sprout, and Squash are taking their new roles as big siblings very seriously! ❤️
 
This August Bank Holiday weekend our visitors can enjoy a nostalgic nod to the beloved Jungle Express, by enjoying a mini train ride courtesy of Plym Valley Railway.

We're thrilled to announce the return of train rides to the zoo! This adorable sit-on train will be chugging around Lakeside, in front of the Island Restaurant, from 9:30am to 5:30pm every day this Bank Holiday Weekend. Tickets are just £1 per person.
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Dr. Loxodonta said:
This August Bank Holiday weekend our visitors can enjoy a nostalgic nod to the beloved Jungle Express, by enjoying a mini train ride courtesy of Plym Valley Railway.

We're thrilled to announce the return of train rides to the zoo! This adorable sit-on train will be chugging around Lakeside, in front of the Island Restaurant, from 9:30am to 5:30pm every day this Bank Holiday Weekend. Tickets are just £1 per person.
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I guess with Paignton's financial situation(I'm guessing it's still tight?) this is a welcome addition which will hopefully add a good financial boost. Good for them
 
Embu said:
I guess with Paignton's financial situation(I'm guessing it's still tight?) this is a welcome addition which will hopefully add a good financial boost. Good for them
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I’m not into trains, and I understand why they removed the tracks around the lake. This decision is a sound compromise and the current management deserve praise for organising this; Stephen Kings & his team listened to members & guests and he’s implemented a short term resolution. Good on them and hopefully it will bring in some pennies to safeguard a few more jobs & improve enclosures.
 
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JonWild said:
Does anybody know when the cassowary’s are leaving the collection, as I am hoping to see them one last time on the the 27th.
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Was in yesterday and someone said that they don't know and might be keeping them afterall but bird keeper at Chester said they are coming soon.

Who knows?! Hopefully they do.
 
TriUK said:
I think they’ve installed a temporary track. In time, I’m sure they will attempt to purchase/lease a land train for lakeside, but also to try & take in some of the valley hill sides, very much like at Edinburgh?
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Land trains have been explored many times at Paignton over the years but there isn’t the space as at other zoos to safely run trains alongside pedestrians. Once they’ve reduced the size of the zoo from the outer edges there will be even less space for this.

The area around Lakeside would be even less spectacular on a land train as it was on the train!
 
polarbear said:
Once they’ve reduced the size of the zoo from the outer edges there will be even less space for this.
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It would make sense to consider the path between the back of the Ape house/Rhino paddock up to the Cheetah, as one to close? It was worth the walk when we had Golden Lion Tamarins free-range up there.

I hope the zoo are not considering closing off the hillside paddocks between the current wallaby enclosure and the site of the new baboon exhibit - this should be utilised somehow surely?

There is no reason why a Land Train could not run safely up the main drive from the lake to the Giraffe - with good traffic marshalling and zoned areas.
 
Visited this afternoon, very busy! Which is always good to see.

Few bits…

Fence has started going up in the desert house for the porcupines (confirmed by a keeper they are going in there). Apparently they are having to redesign it as the porcupines are chewing EVERYTHING.

A female potoroo arrived this week to join dumble. No name yet though.

The baby red river hogs are insanely adorable. They believe they are a male and female and have been named after African fruit (which I have promptly forgot the names!).

Kunekune pigs will be arriving tomorrow to go into the enclosure next to the porcupines, and once they move the pigs will get the whole thing. They are also collecting 5 red necked wallabys to join the collection we have.
 
Re. Porcupines: I’m dumbfounded by the fact that the curator/enclosure design team thought that wooden posts would be a sensible design choice to enclose rodents known for chewing!
I do think it will be a fair exhibit when open, but fear that the mostly nocturnal porcupines will rarely be seen and perhaps it’s best if they plan to add some meerkats or mongoose?
 
TriUK said:
Re. Porcupines: I’m dumbfounded by the fact that the curator/enclosure design team thought that wooden posts would be a sensible design choice to enclose rodents known for chewing!
I do think it will be a fair exhibit when open, but fear that the mostly nocturnal porcupines will rarely be seen and perhaps it’s best if they plan to add some meerkats or mongoose?
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Is the wood designed to enclose porcupines? - or just there for 'enrichment'.
They will chew through concrete if it is not reinforced with steel.
 
TriUK said:
Re. Porcupines: I’m dumbfounded by the fact that the curator/enclosure design team thought that wooden posts would be a sensible design choice to enclose rodents known for chewing!
I do think it will be a fair exhibit when open, but fear that the mostly nocturnal porcupines will rarely be seen and perhaps it’s best if they plan to add some meerkats or mongoose?
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They’ve started putting steel mesh up on the inside of the posts. To be honest it looks pretty bad :/
 
Rohin said:
Will birds be able to live with the porcupines?
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Not unless there is yet another change in policy. They have removed all the birds that were formerly in here. Zoo policy to restrict bird areas in case of bird flu I think. Unfortunately it was the birds that made the Desert House such an interesting exhibit.
 
Pertinax said:
Not unless there is yet another change in policy. They have removed all the birds that were formerly in here. Zoo policy to restrict bird areas in case of bird flu I think. Unfortunately it was the birds that made the Desert House such an interesting exhibit.
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I never had the opportunity to see the desert house, so have a question.
Was it wholly indoors, and covered, and enclosed - with free flying birds?
If so, how could the birds housed in it have any contact with wild birds?
Covered, enclosed and wholly bird proof is DEFRA's definition of bird-flu proof housing.
All they would potentially have to do is close it during outbreaks.
 
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