Paignton Zoo Paignton Zoo 2022
- Thread starter Gigit
- Start date
What coronavirus restrictions would mean the railway would have to close?
One would imagine that having dozens of people cram into miniature trains isn't the most "socially distant" situation
Social distancing hasn’t been law since July.One would imagine that having dozens of people cram into miniature trains isn't the most "socially distant" situation
Firstly, upkeep and maintenance costs money even when something like that isn't running; the long period of closures and being legally unable to run it will have taken its toll.
Secondly, and more importantly, there's a difference between only doing the responsible and sensible thing because it's legally mandated, and continuing to do so when it is merely advised because it IS the responsible thing to do. See, for instance, zoos continuing to request visitors wear face coverings indoors even after this ceased to be law.... or for that matter, the fact I am continuing to wear a mask in public now. As such, it's reasonable to imagine Paignton kept measures in place because making the train safe for use was infeasible given the current situation.
People thinking that they should only take precautions when legally forced to are part of the reason we're still deep in the mire now, sadly.
A further reason given for closure was that the train was not accessible to people with disabilities. This matters.
I’m not interested in your views about Covid. I simply asked which restrictions meant the train had to be closed down, which was stated by Jedd. There aren’t any.
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Well said.
Jedd said COVID restrictions were a factor, but said nothing about these restrictions solely being the legally mandated ones - Paignton chose (as many collections have) to continue precautions after the long lockdown ended, and as such kept the railway closed after the legal requirement for social distancing ended. To claim there were no rules and restrictions in place which would have impacted the railway (on top of the pressing factor cited by @gentle lemur ) is demonstrably false.
But then, to echo your own words, I'm really not interested in whether you believe they were justified in having taken these precautions
Thankfully for you I’ve not stated any opinion on any precautions Paignton has taken, whereas you have gone to great length to make your position clear, despite being unprompted.Jedd said COVID restrictions were a factor, but said nothing about these restrictions solely being the legally mandated ones - Paignton chose (as many collections have) to continue precautions after the long lockdown ended, and as such kept the railway closed after the legal requirement for social distancing ended. To claim there were no rules and restrictions in place which would have impacted the railway (on top of the pressing factor cited by @gentle lemur ) is demonstrably false.
But then, to echo your own words, I'm really not interested in whether you believe they were justified in having taken these precautions
You’ve certainly made some interesting points RE restrictions and costs but it seems that with the railway being relocated it could still run on site & I still stand by my position that there are no restrictions which would have prevented the railway from continuing to run should Paignton have wanted it to. For whatever reason they’ve chosen to close it down, not that I’ve ever made use of it on my trips.
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Gigit
Well-Known Member
I posted on 5 July 2021:
Not animal related, but a few weeks ago I was chatting to someone at the zoo and learned that the Jungle Express railway is out of action not because of Covid, as I'd assumed, but because it's in need of repair. Apparently the track needs to be rebuilt at a cost of £thousands - a bit of a problem in view of the current difficulties. Trains have been trundling around the lake since 1937 and it's a popular attraction in the high season, providing a source of income. Obviously it would take a considerable time to recoup the cost of a rebuild. But it would be a shame if nothing was done after all this time. Maybe they could try crowd-funding among visitors and miniature railway enthusiasts?
Not animal related, but a few weeks ago I was chatting to someone at the zoo and learned that the Jungle Express railway is out of action not because of Covid, as I'd assumed, but because it's in need of repair. Apparently the track needs to be rebuilt at a cost of £thousands - a bit of a problem in view of the current difficulties. Trains have been trundling around the lake since 1937 and it's a popular attraction in the high season, providing a source of income. Obviously it would take a considerable time to recoup the cost of a rebuild. But it would be a shame if nothing was done after all this time. Maybe they could try crowd-funding among visitors and miniature railway enthusiasts?
Brookside update: See below. My personal opinion is that, like Edinburgh, replacing animal exhibits with botanical areas is fine, as long as the balance between zoological & botanical collections are kept in balance (namely animal not plant since it’s predominantly a zoo one is paying to visit).
Tree Works On Site • Paignton Zoo
Tree Works On Site • Paignton Zoo
That's an awfully long walk for kids who want to see an animal if they go that way round the zoo, unless they build at least one new exhibit within the Brookside footprint.
Now updated on PZ website.
News • Paignton Zoo
News • Paignton Zoo
2022
The year did not start positively for the zoo, from a guest/members perspective, but here is what I’m looking forward to in 2022:
* New entrance area with Brookside garden (?) and new walkway to tropical house and/or around lake on a new path replacing the railway.
* Giraffes moving into Elephant house and Zebra into Giraffe house.
* re-stocking or new inhabitants of the following areas: Lechwe & Kangaroo paddocks, Reptile nursery & tortoise lawn, Camel paddock, Cusimanse enclosure, Coati house (Red Panda?, Owl aviaries.
* New imports of - Maned Wolf, Ostrich, Lion (Newquay), King Colobus, Lar Gibbon.
* Hopeful breeding of: E Bongo, RR Hog, Diana Monkey, Cassowary, Spider Monkey, Oriental Stork, Hornbill & Cheetah.
* Fingers crossed for no new TB cases or weather damage to site.
* Hopeful of good recruitment in all areas of the organisation and solid retention of loyal & dedicated staff.
Here’s to a belated good luck to all at PZ for 2022 after so many tricky and rocky years!
The year did not start positively for the zoo, from a guest/members perspective, but here is what I’m looking forward to in 2022:
* New entrance area with Brookside garden (?) and new walkway to tropical house and/or around lake on a new path replacing the railway.
* Giraffes moving into Elephant house and Zebra into Giraffe house.
* re-stocking or new inhabitants of the following areas: Lechwe & Kangaroo paddocks, Reptile nursery & tortoise lawn, Camel paddock, Cusimanse enclosure, Coati house (Red Panda?, Owl aviaries.
* New imports of - Maned Wolf, Ostrich, Lion (Newquay), King Colobus, Lar Gibbon.
* Hopeful breeding of: E Bongo, RR Hog, Diana Monkey, Cassowary, Spider Monkey, Oriental Stork, Hornbill & Cheetah.
* Fingers crossed for no new TB cases or weather damage to site.
* Hopeful of good recruitment in all areas of the organisation and solid retention of loyal & dedicated staff.
Here’s to a belated good luck to all at PZ for 2022 after so many tricky and rocky years!
Is there a ‘hold’ on RR Hog breeding? It would be great to see a larger group at PZ.
PZ has never successfully bred Cheetah in that enclosure, but always assumed that the goal was to breed. Is this pair excess to the programme or retired?
They used to have a larger group- around six- stemming from when the previous pair bred. Gradually they have died off again. I suspect they don't aim to breed anymore?
The Diana Monkeys have(afaik) not bred since the previously successful breeding pair were split up some years ago now on EEP recommendation and the male sent abroad. It was an unwise decision in my view, rather born out by the fact the 'new' male has resided with the original breeding female and her daughter quite some time now, but still no patter of tiny Diana feet seems in the offing... I hope I'm proved wrong of course.