Exmoor Zoo Our visit on 3rd June 2013 - with lots of photos!

[Hunting dogs]

A brief account of our visit to the zoo in early June 2013. A lovely little place, well kept but obviously with very little space. It only covers 2 acres so the animals may seem rather crowded but so many rarely seen species are packed in that it's well worth a visit as long as you are aware that the large amount of space which exists at most other collections is not present here. The trio of pumas, pair of New Guinea singing dogs, maned wolf and beautiful caracal were the highlights of our visit, but the South American tayra (a kind of weasel) and the Asian binturong (the largest kind of civet) were also lovely. No sign of cheetahs or some of the shyer animals, but the ones we did see were wonderful. The New Guinea singing dogs even sang for us when a very noisy military aeroplane flew overhead - the noise set them off, as sometimes happens with wolves. I hope to upload this video and a few others tomorrow but will see how the photos come out first - this is the first time I have put photos on Zoo Chat so I'm a bit nervous! I have put all of my pictures of the zoo into the Exmoor Zoo gallery so you will be able to see them there. I did intend to attach them to this post but discovered that they will only upload one at a time - that would take ages so please go to the Exmoor Zoo gallery!

 

[Parrotsandrew]

I agree it is an excellent place, but, whilst not a big zoo, it is much larger than 2 acres.

 

[polarbear]

I agree it is an excellent place, but, whilst not a big zoo, it is much larger than 2 acres.

Most defo larger than 2 acres - Shaldon is 1 acre so compared to that it is enormous.

 

[Drago]

I've been going to Exmoor Zoo now every month since January. The only other Zoo i've been to before was Paignton Zoo. I'm a member at both (I visit both monthly) and so far these are the only Zoo's I've ever visited (I do plan to visit more in the future).

Out of the two though I prefer Exmoor. Even though it's smaller than Paignton Zoo and of course doesn't have the same amout of funding. I
prefer it's animal collection New Gunea singing dogs, Puma, black Leopard, Bat Eared Foxes, Tayra, visible maned wolves etc. If i'm correct there's only one other Zoo in the whole of Europe with Singing dogs. Also i'm sure they're the only Zoo in the UK with black Leopards? Then they have the talks and activities. Wallaby feeding, Alpaca stroking, insects, snakes handling and feed talks.

Paignton Zoo on the other hand is still good, but it's talks are quite basic and the animal collection is more... What your average family will expect to see at a Zoo, whilst Exmoor has more unique species. Also in the few months I've been going Exmoor Zoo's collection has expanded Ocelot, ural owls and they're planning to get more species. Whilst Paignton Zoo hasn't changed much, apart from babies.

I also like Exmoor Zoo's 'smallness' I can get from one side to the other in ten minutes. Paignton Zoo for example will take three times longer and involves lot's of very steep hills! Exmoor is not just 2 acres though. They've just got permission to expand into a 10 acre field beside the Zoo. On there website they talk through their History as a Zoo. If I read it right it's totalled upto 15 acres now. Obviously 25 if they fully develop the new field.

 

[zoogiraffe]

Actualy there are New Guinea Singing Dogs at Neumunster Tierpark,Zlin-Lesna Zoo and Jyllands Park Zoo!

 

[Drago]

Actualy there are New Guinea Singing Dogs at Neumunster Tierpark,Zlin-Lesna Zoo and Jyllands Park Zoo!

Oh - I thought there was only one more with them in Europe. Oh well. Still the only ones in the UK though (I hope so anyway or i'm going to look silly!)

 

[zoogiraffe]

Oh - I thought there was only one more with them in Europe. Oh well. Still the only ones in the UK though (I hope so anyway or i'm going to look silly!)

They are the only ones in a public collection in the UK,there are a few in private hands in the UK or atleast there were a couple of years ago!

 

[Brum]

Last year Drayton Manor had a pair of black leopards as well and I've heard nothing to say they still don't. I thought that Linton Zoo also held them but I may be wrong on that count.
Other than that, you are lucky to have a Paignton and Exmoor as your two locals. Does your Paignton membership allow free or discounted entry to Newquay Zoo or Living Coasts? if it does then that could add another two local collections to your monthly total!

 

[stubeanz]

They are the only ones in a public collection in the UK,there are a few in private hands in the UK or atleast there were a couple of years ago!

As far as I'm aware there still are a few in private hands now, all related though!

 

[pipaluk]

Last year Drayton Manor had a pair of black leopards as well and I've heard nothing to say they still don't. I thought that Linton Zoo also held them but I may be wrong on that count.
Other than that, you are lucky to have a Paignton and Exmoor as your two locals. Does your Paignton membership allow free or discounted entry to Newquay Zoo or Living Coasts? if it does then that could add another two local collections to your monthly total!

The male black leopard went to Exmoor from Linton about 2-3 years ago, Linton currently have no leopards.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

Does your Paignton membership allow free or discounted entry to Newquay Zoo or Living Coasts? if it does then that could add another two local collections to your monthly total!

I believe it would do.

 

[Parrotsandrew]

Paignton membership does include free entry to all three collections plus discounts in the restaurants and gift shops. It also allows free visits to several other collections as part of the joint agreement. I am a Paignton member, and even being so far away I usually get the value of it from just three visits to the zoo, meals and gifts - this year, though, I shall maybe be going only twice or not at all. My renewal last year was £47.50, so very good value indeed.

 

[Drago]

Yep the Paignton Zoo one includes free entry to Living coasts and Newquay Zoo as all three are part of the same group. Also allows free entry to many other Zoo's across the UK - But each Zoo has their own terms so don't know if this is 100% accurate or not. Also includes a 10% discount in the restaurant and shops. So far I've been 10 times since getting my membership in October. Takes four trips to break even.

I've been to Newquay Zoo before years ago (2002/3). Tbh not to interested for it's quite a jouney and most of it's species that i'm interested in are at Paignton anyway.

Never been to Living coasts but plan to visit soon, might try Shaldon Zoo as it's small and very close to Living Coasts and Paignton Zoo.

Never been to Dartmoor Zoo either - The reviews are just to mixed on the place and I'm not sure I want to risk going that far.

 

[zoogiraffe]

Never been to Dartmoor Zoo either - The reviews are just to mixed on the place and I'm not sure I want to risk going that far.

Why not visit so you can make your own mind up,about the place I have visited the place,while I have to admit its not the greatest place I have ever visited its not the worst by a very long shot.
I firmly believe people should visit a place so they can make there own,minds up about a place,because everyone has different views!

 

[TriDV]

I've been going to Exmoor Zoo now every month since January. The only other Zoo i've been to before was Paignton Zoo. I'm a member at both (I visit both monthly) and so far these are the only Zoo's I've ever visited (I do plan to visit more in the future).

Out of the two though I prefer Exmoor. Even though it's smaller than Paignton Zoo and of course doesn't have the same amout of funding. I
prefer it's animal collection New Gunea singing dogs, Puma, black Leopard, Bat Eared Foxes, Tayra, visible maned wolves etc. If i'm correct there's only one other Zoo in the whole of Europe with Singing dogs. Also i'm sure they're the only Zoo in the UK with black Leopards? Then they have the talks and activities. Wallaby feeding, Alpaca stroking, insects, snakes handling and feed talks.

Paignton Zoo on the other hand is still good, but it's talks are quite basic and the animal collection is more... What your average family will expect to see at a Zoo, whilst Exmoor has more unique species. Also in the few months I've been going Exmoor Zoo's collection has expanded Ocelot, ural owls and they're planning to get more species. Whilst Paignton Zoo hasn't changed much, apart from babies.

I also like Exmoor Zoo's 'smallness' I can get from one side to the other in ten minutes. Paignton Zoo for example will take three times longer and involves lot's of very steep hills! Exmoor is not just 2 acres though. They've just got permission to expand into a 10 acre field beside the Zoo. On there website they talk through their History as a Zoo. If I read it right it's totalled upto 15 acres now. Obviously 25 if they fully develop the new field.

Paignton is far from average with ; Echidna, Tenrec, Sudanese Ostrich, Barbary Sheep, Gharial, Diana Monkey and King Colobus, Orapendola and numerous species of hornbill.

 

[Parrotsandrew]

Paignton is far from average with ; Echidna, Tenrec, Sudanese Ostrich, Barbary Sheep, Gharial, Diana Monkey and King Colobus, Orapendola and numerous species of hornbill.

The inclusion of Barbary Sheep in that list really shows how times have changed over the last 30 or so years.

 

[Pertinax]

The inclusion of Barbary Sheep in that list really shows how times have changed over the last 30 or so years.

I believe they are only just about hanging on at Paignton too- about 4 animals and not sure if they have both sexes anymore.

I think the most viable UK group now would be Dudley.

P.S. sorry I wiped most of your above post- by mistake.

 

[icklepenguin]

Exmoor zoo

Exmoor zoo is actually set in 25 acres not 2 acres

 

[Parrotsandrew]

P.S. sorry I wiped most of your above post- by mistake.

Pertinax!! All my interesting (?) waffle gone! What I said was that not so many years ago just about every zoo I visited had Barbary Sheep which pleased me as the species is one of my favourites. Flamingo Land used to have them and considered them for the former Baboon mountain when that became vacant with the opening of the new Baboon Island in 1997, but decided against getting them for fear of foot problems and put Lemurs on it instead.

 

[Shorts]

I believe they are only just about hanging on at Paignton too- about 4 animals and not sure if they have both sexes anymore.

I think the most viable UK group now would be Dudley.

P.S. sorry I wiped most of your above post- by mistake.

Suffolk (A**** A****) had a fair sized group of Barbary Sheep when I last visited (three or four years ago) -don't know if they still do though.