Dartmoor Zoo Dartmoor Zoo news 2025

Sadly some sad news to start the year with

It is with heavy hearts that we must announce the passing of our beautiful Cheetah, Baro.

Welfare is the top priority when working with these incredible animals and once the vets had exhausted all options available, this was the hardest but kindest decision to make. Baro was unfortunately diagnosed with untreatable chronic kidney failure.

Baro was a soft and gentle soul, enjoying life from the top of his mound with the best vantage point in the zoo, but he had a mischievous side too…
He'd stalk and hide from the keepers, but he hadn't quite got the coverage down and would often hide behind a single blade of grass!

Baro enjoyed soaking up what little sun we got, but as soon as the sun disappeared behind the clouds, or there was a hint of rain, he was straight back into the comfort of his heated house. If you called his name during our animal talks, he'd always pop his head out to say hello though!

A food orientated boy, if it was wrapped in packaging, Baro was all over it - unpacking of any kind was his favourite form of enrichment.
We will miss Baro following the team up the hill on the off chance he might get some food or waiting with a purr of anticipation for the keepers each morning at breakfast.

Baro was extremely adored by keepers, staff, and guests alike and he will be deeply missed.
Rest in peace, it is time to be reunited with your brother now ❤
 
Visited dartmoor this week. Churchill the rescued serval is currently being held in the aviary next to the burrowing owls. The himalayan monal pheasant appears to have been moved over to the African Aviary. Bali Starling and the bleeding heart doves were the other two species i remember were last in that aviary however couldn’t see either of the species around the zoo. Does anyone know is they have been moved off show whilst the serval is using the enclosure or have they left the collection? The carnivore enclosure next to the Jaguar appears to have work being done in there so i’m guessing this could potentially be the servals permanent home once done up? Great size and space for the specie so would be a good enclosure for them. Great to see the new peccaries and their enclosure, great addition to the zoo.
 
Other Late 2024 / Early 2025 News Not Mentioned:
On July 30th, the zoo announced that a (0.1) African pygmy goat named Toffee passed away at age 17 on July 28th due to a decline in health caused by old age.

Dartmoor Zoological Society
Smaggledagle said:
On May 21st, the zoo announced that they will transfer 2+ Asian small-clawed otters to an unspecified facility in India in the future.

Tune into the wild world of Dartmoor Zoo with our new podcast, ’ , hosted by David Fitzgerald!️ Uncover behind-the-scenes stories,... | By Dartmoor Zoological Society | Facebook
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Smaggledagle said:
Also on July 2nd, the zoo announced they will be acquiring an African grey hornbill which will be in the African aviary in the near future.

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On August 13th, the zoo announced they will be transferring a (1.0) South American tapir to an unspecified facility in India in the future. Also on August 13th, the zoo announced that the hornbill was sexed as (0.1) and named Erica, and was acquired by the facility from a private owner who kept it as a pet.

The zoo also announced a smattering of news which includes the beginning of talks with another unspecified facility to possibly acquire 2 marmosets (species not specified), as well as the replacement of the mesh in the Asian aviary.

Dartmoor Zoological Society

Embu said:
Exciting news

There’s cause for celebration at Dartmoor Zoo! Flavily (Lynxs Flaviu and Emily) have become parents!!!

We’re thrilled to announce the birth of 2 kits has been confirmed as of Wednesday, May 29th, 2024!

Their enclosure will be closed off to the public until further notice, allowing the parents and kits alike to adjust and explore their new home.
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On December 16th, the zoo announced they named one of the kittens Carpi, with the other kitten named Bogdan a couple days later.

Dartmoor Zoological Society
Dartmoor Zoological Society

On January 26th, 2025, the zoo announced they built a new exhibit for their slender-tailed meerkats (called Meerkat Manor) which is now open to the public.

Dartmoor Zoological Society

On January 28th, the zoo announced a new area called Wild Dartmoor which will feature new exhibits for hazel dormice, pine martens, and red squirrels, as well as the pre-existing European wildcat exhibit.

Dartmoor Zoological Society

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On February 17th, the zoo announced they acquired 2 slender-tailed meerkats which are now on exhibit.

Dartmoor Zoological Society
 
We visited yesterday and left feeling disappointed. Some zoo visits, as we all know, can be pot luck dependent upon weather and other factors, but it just felt very run down and drab. The Peccaries, cloud rat, binturong, gelada, jaguar, otter, wild cat, sitatunga and macaws were all no-shows which didn’t help, but I was surprised how dilapidated it looked since my last visit three years ago. I was impressed with the reptile house and the large flock of greater Rhea.
The Amur tiger ‘saved’ the visit as his presence felt a privilege to observe.
I will try to return to support this place, and give it another chance in the summer, but I felt short changed.
 
Other March / April 2025 News Not Mentioned:
Smaggledagle said:
On February 17th, the zoo announced they acquired 2 slender-tailed meerkats which are now on exhibit.

Dartmoor Zoological Society
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On March 3rd, the zoo announced they named the meerkats Ben and Geri respectively.

Dartmoor Zoological Society

On March 13th, the zoo announced they built new platforms inside the serval exhibit in February.

Dartmoor Zoological Society

On April 19th, the zoo announced they temporarily acquired (1.1) northern lynxes named Torridon and Flosse from Wildwood Kent in Kent while their exhibit gets upgrades which are on exhibit.

Dartmoor Zoological Society

On April 22nd, it was mentioned that the zoo transferred a (0.1) capybara to Cassiobury Farm & Fishery in Hertfordshire*.

On April 27th, the zoo announced they acquired a (1.0) South American tapir named Ero from Linton Zoo in Cambridgeshire which is on exhibit.

Dartmoor Zoological Society

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On May 30th, it was announced that the zoo transferred a (1.0) Chapman's zebra named Parsley to Newquay Zoo in Cornwall.

Newquay Zoo

On June 2nd, the zoo announced they acquired a (1.0) black-tailed marmoset named Ernie from Zoo Magdeburg in Saxony-Anhalt which is now on display in the white-faced saki monkey exhibit.

Dartmoor Zoological Society

* Information provided by @Linc1068 in the Cassiobury Farm & Fishery thread (Page 2 Post #23).
 
Planning a visit in a couple weeks and noticed on the website the binturong has been removed. Wondered if anyone knew what’s happened and if it’s been moved to another collection. Also saw on the map, the lynx are currrently in the old cheetah enclosure, i’m guessing it’s just while the two from kent are on holiday in the existing enclosure.
 
Yes, I think the ZTL listing for Dartmoor seems a bit inaccurate nowadays. It's sad to think that both Cheetahs have now gone.

Also worth noting that the Chapman's zebra has been relocated to Newquay zoo. The zoo really seems to have a lot of singletons (lion, tiger, jaguar, Scottish wildcat, potoroo, Black-tailed marmoset, pygmy goat, great horned owl), I wonder if they will acquire anymore of these animals in future.
 
Animallover1998 said:
Yes, I think the ZTL listing for Dartmoor seems a bit inaccurate nowadays. It's sad to think that both Cheetahs have now gone.

Also worth noting that the Chapman's zebra has been relocated to Newquay zoo. The zoo really seems to have a lot of singletons (lion, tiger, jaguar, Scottish wildcat, potoroo, Black-tailed marmoset, pygmy goat, great horned owl), I wonder if they will acquire anymore of these animals in future.
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A recent press article confirms that two female Zebra are due to arrive from Longleat shortly. They will form a non breeding herd with the remaining male (he has previously been castrated)
 
 
Smaggledagle said:
On August 16th, the zoo announced that 2 meerkats were born 3 weeks prior, which are now on exhibit.

11K views · 307 reactions | Surprise! We've got two tiny new arrivals that are beginning to explore their home! Ben and Geri who joined Dartmoor Zoo earlier this year, are now proud parents to two adorable, three-week-old pups! We kindly ask visitors to keep noise to a minimum so these little ones can continue to grow and thrive! Marketing Kira #DartmoorZoo #DZS #Devon #Meerkat | Dartmoor Zoological Society
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The pups have been called EVEREST and ENDEAVOR.
Dartmoor Zoo on Instagram: "Our adorable meerkat pups have been named! Meet Everest and Endeavour! The names were chosen by @sirjohnhuntofficial , who helped build Meerkat Manor in 2024, and by Promoting Children in Plymouth (PCiP), who generously funded the project. This amazing collaboration gave young people the chance to learn new skills, work as a team, and take real pride in building something special. ️ Thanks to their creativity and PCiP's support, our meerkat family now have a beautiful home, and our pups have the perfect names to match! Read more in our latest blog, via the link in our bio! Marketing Kira #DartmoorZoo #DZS #Devon #Meerkat"
 
Copied off social media, announced in the last half hour

Yesterday, we bid a warm farewell to Bogdan, one of our lynx brothers, born in May 2024.

We wish him the very best as he begins his next adventure in his new home in Austria!

Keeper Hannah

#DartmoorZoo #DZS #Devon #Lynx
 
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