Paignton Zoo Paignton Zoo news 2025

I take it they don't have anymore Rhinos on site now... RIP.

Did they have any plans to improve the enclosure, or bring in anymore? It's really sad to think Paignton has lost both the zebras and rhinoceros this year. :(
 
Looking at the map, is there any way Paignton can extend onto the land behind the giraffe & rhino enclosures?

I know there is an isolated path that goes around the nature trail or is the land I'm thinking of part of it?
 
Embu said:
Looking at the map, is there any way Paignton can extend onto the land behind the giraffe & rhino enclosures?

I know there is an isolated path that goes around the nature trail or is the land I'm thinking of part of it?
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The topography of this area is really steep, it’s almost like a cliff. In fact, as you look at the Takin quarry, the top right hand corner is the height all the way along (there is a large flat area up there, like a meadow) before it gradually dips into the sloped Cheetah enclosures (much bigger off show area). There would be no way of going back that far. However, if raised viewing or a raised path was introduced, there is massive potential to link the current giraffe area to the rhino paddocks. The area between the two is now a tree plantation (implemented by previous CEO and his cronies) linked to the Queen (?) and some Ouessant Sheep.
 
TriUK said:
However, if raised viewing or a raised path was introduced, there is massive potential to link the current giraffe area to the rhino paddocks. The area between the two is now a tree plantation (implemented by previous CEO and his cronies) linked to the Queen (?) and some Ouessant Sheep.
Click to expand...

Now however much I love to hear about tree planting what a complete waste of space,time & money! Hopefully this new CEO has some nouse about them and puts it to good use!
 
Random question - when I was a kid it seemed like Paignton Zoo seemed to have a new exhibit being built almost yearly. From around the mid to late 90s through to the early 00s, the zoo moved it's entrance and built a new one, built the ape house, moved the lions and tigers to substantially bigger enclosures, built the elephant/giraffe house and then built Living Coasts. I can't remember exactly when the Desert house was opened but my vague memory tells me around 2000ish, Reptile Tropics coming a few years later? The trust also acquired Newquay Zoo in this period. I know that it received some European development funds but the amounts I've been able to find wouldn't cover Living Coasts alone, which cost £7m.

How did the zoo manage to expand/rennovate so quickly and massively in that period? Whereas now it's struggling to even afford to build a baboon enclosure and seemingly managed to screw up the project management of that. Is it still the financial impact of covid and bird flu that's hobbling them or some kind of wider structural issues?
 
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Gulls86 said:
Random question - when I was a kid it seemed like Paignton Zoo seemed to have a new exhibit being built almost yearly. From around the mid to late 90s through to the early 00s, the zoo moved it's entrance and built a new one, built the ape house, moved the lions and tigers to substantially bigger enclosures, built the elephant/giraffe house and then built Living Coasts. I can't remember exactly when the Desert house was opened but my vague memory tells me around 2000ish, Reptile Tropics coming a few years later? The trust also acquired Newquay Zoo in this period. I know that it received some European development funds but the amounts I've been able to find wouldn't cover Living Coasts alone, which cost £7m.

How did the zoo manage to expand/rennovate so quickly and massively in that period? Whereas now it's struggling to even afford to build a baboon enclosure and seemingly managed to screw up the project management of that. Is it still the financial impact of covid and bird flu that's hobbling them or some kind of wider structural issues?
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The zoo also ,in 1995 received £2*9 million from the European Regional Development Fund, which allowed for major upgrades.
 
I had an interesting visit today. I saw the cassowary chick through the vegetation and the very active skunks for the first time - although @bongorob and I must have walked past the skunks without noticing when we visited earlier this month (:( sorry Rob, my fault, I should have found out where they were beforehand). One piece of good news to report: 3 red river hog piglets were born on Sunday 15th and they seem to be thriving.
 
gentle lemur said:
I had an interesting visit today. I saw the cassowary chick through the vegetation and the very active skunks for the first time - although @bongorob and I must have walked past the skunks without noticing when we visited earlier this month :)( sorry Rob, my fault, I should have found out where they were beforehand). One piece of good news to report: 3 red river hog piglets were born on Sunday 15th and they seem to be thriving.
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Thats lovely news! Daughter visited on Friday with school and commented the windows were blocked up. We were worried it could be more bad news but this is great.

Proper little family unit now!
 
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