Man that's gonna be really confusing to research on here when there is a facility with the EXACT SAME NAME in Australia.
Charles Paddock Zoo Charles Paddock Zoo News
- Thread starter DavidBrown
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Man that's gonna be really confusing to research on here when there is a facility with the EXACT SAME NAME in Australia.
It's intriguing that the zoo's founder Charles Paddock is out and Central Coast Zoo (a place that already exists in New South Wales!) is in. That's a surprising decision, although in truth the original name was the Atascadero Children's Zoo and so maybe third time's a charm. I'm not sure that the measly annual attendance of 80,000 will change, regardless of what the name of this place is.
There was a big push for a $30 million Master Plan around 15 years ago, but nothing really major has happened since the 1980s except for the new Red Panda exhibit in 2019. I'm paraphrasing a quote from former director Alan Baker.
I find the new zoo logo really intriguing. It used to have a couple of monkeys on it, as well as a Tiger and a pair of flamingos, with a prominent tree in the middle. It was a nice logo. The new one is also pretty good, with a similar prominent tree in the middle, a flamingo, a Tiger, a monkey, but now also a butterfly and a Red Panda. I'm fairly certain that the flamingo exhibit is still featuring pinioned birds, an outdated method as tons of big European zoos and even some North American zoos have flamingos free-flying in aviaries these days. The addition of a Red Panda to the newly-named Central Coast Zoo's logo is a smart one, with that exhibit apparently a highlight of a visit. But to have a Tiger still on the logo is the shocker for me, as the zoo has had the same god-awful Tiger exhibit for decades and many of us here assumed that zoo management would one day phase out one of their star attractions. Putting a popular animal on a brand-new logo shows commitment and it's exciting to think that now there's simply got be a new Tiger exhibit. Surely that could happen, right? Or else how many more years will this zoo keep a Tiger in such a confined space? The AZA doesn't appear to care as the zoo was just re-accredited in March for 5 more years. Perhaps there was a mandate that progress has to be made on the Tiger enclosure.
In an interview with the zoo's director in March, she mentions a Tiger habitat expansion and finishing the Madagascar area as the two biggest priorities. I hate to sound too negative, but if the zoo even triples the size of their Tiger exhibit it will still be outdated. Many other zoos around the world give acres to Tigers, with some Scandinavian zoos considering an acre or so for a Tiger to just be the off-show area! Honestly, the Central Coast Zoo should not expand the Tiger exhibit at all, but go in a totally different direction with a number of smaller species instead. Alas, they'll go ahead and make it a bit bigger and it will still probably be far, far too small.
Interview with director:
https://www.ksby.com/atascadero/charles-paddock-zoo-prepares-for-new-habitats-and-staff
The tiny Malayan Tiger exhibit that has been unchanged for decades:
2 Pieces of Mid-2025 News Not Mentioned:
On April 23rd, the zoo announced they named the monkeys Chia, Ginger, and Vera, respectively.
11 reactions · 19 shares | Another Wild Visit to Charles Paddock Zoo! Meet the New Spider Monkeys & Exotic Birds from Brazil! We’re back at the Charles Paddock Zoo for another fun and educational visit — this time with Dr. Cynthia introducing us to some brand new residents! Get up close with the adorable Spider Monkeys that just arrived and check out some stunning exotic birds straight from Brazil that are lighting up the zoo with their vibrant colors! Whether you’re an animal lover, a conservation supporter, or just looking for a fun day out — Charles Paddock Zoo has something for everyone. From rare species and exciting animal encounters to camps, classes, birthday parties and more, it’s a wild experience you won’t want to miss! Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more awesome local adventures! #CharlesPaddockZoo #SpiderMonkeys #ExoticBirds #ZooLife #WhatsUpNorthCounty #AnimalLovers #ZooVisit #PasoRobles #FamilyFun @charlespaddockzoo @805production @cityofatascadero | Whats Up North County
On May 11th, the zoo announced that a brush-tailed bettong was born sometime in the past few years, among other previously mentioned species.
Central Coast Zoo
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On June 13th, it was announced that the zoo reacquired a (0.1) king vulture from Los Angeles Zoo in California.
https://lazoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/3-Animal-Transaction-Commission-Report-6.2025.pdf
On June 15th, the zoo announced that (3.3) Von der Decken's hornbills hatched in 2025, which were transferred to other unspecified facilities.
Central Coast Zoo
* Worth mentioning that 2 American flamingos hatched in September 2024.
On April 23rd, the zoo announced they named the monkeys Chia, Ginger, and Vera, respectively.
11 reactions · 19 shares | Another Wild Visit to Charles Paddock Zoo! Meet the New Spider Monkeys & Exotic Birds from Brazil! We’re back at the Charles Paddock Zoo for another fun and educational visit — this time with Dr. Cynthia introducing us to some brand new residents! Get up close with the adorable Spider Monkeys that just arrived and check out some stunning exotic birds straight from Brazil that are lighting up the zoo with their vibrant colors! Whether you’re an animal lover, a conservation supporter, or just looking for a fun day out — Charles Paddock Zoo has something for everyone. From rare species and exciting animal encounters to camps, classes, birthday parties and more, it’s a wild experience you won’t want to miss! Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more awesome local adventures! #CharlesPaddockZoo #SpiderMonkeys #ExoticBirds #ZooLife #WhatsUpNorthCounty #AnimalLovers #ZooVisit #PasoRobles #FamilyFun @charlespaddockzoo @805production @cityofatascadero | Whats Up North County
On May 11th, the zoo announced that a brush-tailed bettong was born sometime in the past few years, among other previously mentioned species.
Central Coast Zoo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On June 13th, it was announced that the zoo reacquired a (0.1) king vulture from Los Angeles Zoo in California.
https://lazoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/3-Animal-Transaction-Commission-Report-6.2025.pdf
On June 15th, the zoo announced that (3.3) Von der Decken's hornbills hatched in 2025, which were transferred to other unspecified facilities.
Central Coast Zoo
* Worth mentioning that 2 American flamingos hatched in September 2024.
ZooApollo
Well-Known Member
Menderu, a Malayan tiger who has lived at the zoo since he was a cub has passed away at age 17.
https://www.ksby.com/atascadero/malayan-tiger-dies-at-central-coast-zoo-in-atascadero
https://www.ksby.com/atascadero/malayan-tiger-dies-at-central-coast-zoo-in-atascadero
And that’s probably the end of Tiger at Charles Paddock. There were plans to build a larger exhibit in some way this year with the funding boost from the city, but that was all meant for Menderu. Can they even build a big enough exhibit for that meets AZA standards without destroying the whole zoo? Maybe they’ll switch to a smaller cat like snow or clouded leopard or maybe just send an animal in the current collection into the exhibit.
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It was also reported that the zoo will still go through with plans of expanding the exhibit for another tiger.
https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/article311322770.html
Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
A Mongoose Lemur named Koba was born on July 4th.
https://www.modbee.com/news/california/article311871998.html
https://www.modbee.com/news/california/article311871998.html