Brand new species for Paignton?
Paignton Zoo Paignton Zoo news 2025
- Thread starter TriUK
- Start date
Brand new species for Paignton?
Thanks. Do we know if they are a breeding pair?
I think so, yes. At least for now, the outgoing species are being replaced e.g. Doroucolli for Goeldis and Crowned for Red Bellied Lemur.
PZ now need a female tiger swap with a male, a new male Red Necked Ostrich, new zebra pairing, and a male giraffe.
I think you mean the Red-fronted lemur... Paignton have never had the Red-bellied AFAIK
Yes, apologies, you are correct.
Kalaw
Well-Known Member
Visited today and loved it. Writing up a review at the moment which I will post in its own thread, but here are some things which may be news:
- The vivarium which was said to have Coconut Crabs in the gallery was empty. Presumably the crabs died or left (could be offshow).
- In Amphibian Ark, two species not labelled on ZTL were signed: Tylototitran verrucosus (labelled as Crocodile Newt, although more commonly known as Himalayan) and even more exciting, Atelopus spumarius, the Pebas Stubfoot Toad, which according to ZTL aren't kept at any zoo in the world! Does anyone have any information on this?
- The Marabou Storks seemed to be building a nest.
- The vivarium which was said to have Coconut Crabs in the gallery was empty. Presumably the crabs died or left (could be offshow).
- In Amphibian Ark, two species not labelled on ZTL were signed: Tylototitran verrucosus (labelled as Crocodile Newt, although more commonly known as Himalayan) and even more exciting, Atelopus spumarius, the Pebas Stubfoot Toad, which according to ZTL aren't kept at any zoo in the world! Does anyone have any information on this?
- The Marabou Storks seemed to be building a nest.
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The animals in question are already on ZTL under this entry, and represent a currently-undescribed species:
ZootierlisteHomepage
They have been at Paignton for some time and originally came from the vivarium at Manchester Museum, which imported a wild-caught group of them from Suriname about a decade ago. The signage lists them as A. spumarius due to the fact that this species has been historically used as a wastebasket-taxon for a complex of distinct species, both recently-described and still-undescribed. Atelopus spumarius in the strict sense is restricted to a small region of Peru.
Unfortunately, people keep incorrectly adding the sensu lato entry back onto ZTL - and it appears your post has led someone to do so again!
Typhlonectes
Well-Known Member
Sad news about the Coconut Crabs…
Kalaw
Well-Known Member
Fascinating, thanks for sharing. Even more annoyed not to have seen them if they're an undescribed species, though!
To be optimistic, maybe they have outgrown the (rather small) vivarium, and have been moved offshow while a bigger one is constructed.
Today, they were in their own enclosure, while the armadillos shared with the lorises next door. Unless the armadillo had access to both enclosures, that is.
Striped skunk arrive:
STINKING CUTE - HEART-MELTING BABY SKUNKS STEAL THE SHOW AT PAIGNTON ZOO • Paignton Zoo
Paignton Zoo have welcomed an adorable pair of striped skunk sisters and visitors are already smitten. The fluffy duo arrived from Millets Wildside in Oxfordshire – where they were born just over two months ago – on Monday 9 July. The zoo’s keeper team will be keeping a close eye on the youngsters as they settle into their new home opposite the zoo’s Baboon Rock exhibit.
STINKING CUTE - HEART-MELTING BABY SKUNKS STEAL THE SHOW AT PAIGNTON ZOO • Paignton Zoo
Paignton Zoo have welcomed an adorable pair of striped skunk sisters and visitors are already smitten. The fluffy duo arrived from Millets Wildside in Oxfordshire – where they were born just over two months ago – on Monday 9 July. The zoo’s keeper team will be keeping a close eye on the youngsters as they settle into their new home opposite the zoo’s Baboon Rock exhibit.
HelloCrossy67
Well-Known Member
Paignton really seems to be on the up! May be time to return to my childhood zoo.
Kalaw
Well-Known Member
I wonder if I actually walked past the moment where they were introduced to the enclosure without thinking much of it, as there was a huge crowd gathered around and several keepers in the enclosure seemingly monitoring the skunks. Didn't realise they were new and rushed past the enclosure due to the offputting crowds.
Has the enclosure been used for anything before or is it brand new?
It was a Pot Bellied Pig yard when the zoo had a functioning children’s farm Ranch area.
I visited last week on a school day and it was very quiet.
It was exciting to see the male Cassowary sitting on some eggs - fingers crossed!
The skunk are actually nice additions and a good use of that ex-pig enclosure. The Dourocoulli looked good but kids and guests in wheelchairs could not see past the reflection in the glass.
It appears that one of the female tigers has left the collection. Can anyone confirm the arrival of another tiger, as I’m fairly sure I could see one in the off-show area near the cassowary?
I really don’t like the location of the fairground game’s structure next to the main lake, but understand the importance of it as a revenue stream, just not sure they’ve got the correct balance on this one?
As usual, the gardens looked tremendous across the whole site.
It was exciting to see the male Cassowary sitting on some eggs - fingers crossed!
The skunk are actually nice additions and a good use of that ex-pig enclosure. The Dourocoulli looked good but kids and guests in wheelchairs could not see past the reflection in the glass.
It appears that one of the female tigers has left the collection. Can anyone confirm the arrival of another tiger, as I’m fairly sure I could see one in the off-show area near the cassowary?
I really don’t like the location of the fairground game’s structure next to the main lake, but understand the importance of it as a revenue stream, just not sure they’ve got the correct balance on this one?
As usual, the gardens looked tremendous across the whole site.
Agree that the fairground stalls do not look in keeping at Paignton at all! Such a shame to spoil the lakeside area.
VR machines coming to Paignton too - in the old Ranch building. OK if it all makes money, but a shame to replace animals with them (whilst appreciating that the Ranch went out of animals a few years ago) and not really in keeping with the feel at Paignton, or Whipsnade where they were on a recent visit.
A disappointing cash grab and poor choice of commercialisation in my opinion. There are so many ways that such games could be spread throughout the zoo, but with conservation and educational messaging in mind... Location is annoying, but it's where you'll get the most punters.
Even though the VR isn't replacing animals, it's replacing a fantastic historical overview of the zoo. A real shame!