Paignton Zoo Paignton Zoo news 2025

I visited today & the new female is already mixed, but she was keeping her distance outside amongst the bushes. Fingers crossed!
There is a screen over the indoor aviary next to the kiwi house - could they be creating a nocturnal viewing area - pure speculation mind?
The male RR Hog has passed and the remaing group are next door to allow the main paddock time to green up.
 
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As regards these two points.....

I visited today & the new female is already mixed, but she was keeping her distance outside amongst the bushes. Fingers crossed!

The male RR Hog has passed

....I have been *extremely* reliably informed that neither of these points is true, and suggest (as regards the first point) that you have made an incorrect assumption about the identity of the bongo you spotted and (as regards the second point) have been fed outright misinformation by whichever source provided the RRH information.
 
As regards these two points.....





....I have been *extremely* reliably informed that neither of these points is true, and suggest (as regards the first point) that you have made an incorrect assumption about the identity of the bongo you spotted and (as regards the second point) have been fed outright misinformation by whichever source provided the RRH information.
Hi Dave,
Thanks for correcting me. My daughter and I saw a female Bongo in the bushes directly opposite the house on our walk up - the existing female must have bolted then to inside the house on our approach. We saw the Folly Farm post about her arrival and thought it was quick? We wholeheartedly thought we’d seen all three. Sorry to cause such offence/confusion.
We haven’t seen the dominant male now on three consecutive visits, so today my daughter asked a member of staff who told her he’d unfortunately passed? I guess as you’re the moderator,your source trumps my daughters? Either way, I’m glad there is a chance he’s alive as he is/was a handsome boy!
Please delete my post if it is indeed untrue. Cheers.
 
I guess as you’re the moderator,your source trumps my daughters?
I don't think being a mod has anything to do with it. TLD likely has a source that would know the information with 100% certainty.
 
I don't think being a mod has anything to do with it. TLD likely has a source that would know the information with 100% certainty.
Brilliant, then I hope he deletes my post. Apologies again.
 
I don't think being a mod has anything to do with it. TLD likely has a source that would know the information with 100% certainty.
But without elaborating any further on that source, I don't see why there is any reason to take that over visual and verbal confirmation from someone who has actually visited the zoo in recent days, at least regarding the RRH.

I also don't think it's too unreasonable to think a moderator has more intimate knowledge regardless, especially when many members on this forum are directly involved with zoos, and the comment was made in an awfully matter-of-fact way.

I'm not suggesting that said source needs to be revealed. But when you have staff at the zoo directly contradicting it, elaboration wouldn't be a terrible idea.
 
As regards these two points.....





....I have been *extremely* reliably informed that neither of these points is true, and suggest (as regards the first point) that you have made an incorrect assumption about the identity of the bongo you spotted and (as regards the second point) have been fed outright misinformation by whichever source provided the RRH information.
After a little more enquiry, it appears that the adult male RRH or the sub-adult male was removed from the group a number of weeks ago and was given the Takin enclosure. Perhaps, TLDave could confirm?
On another point, does anyone know which collection the three male Sulawesi Macacques were located to or if they are off-show waiting relocation, as they are not in the parrot aviaries?
The desert house looks wonderful and croc swamp continues to impress. The wallaby area is also drawing people to that space, so well done to the whole team.
 
the existing female must have bolted then to inside the house on our approach. We saw the Folly Farm post about her arrival and thought it was quick? We wholeheartedly thought we’d seen all three.

So just to get this absolutely straight... Paignton lost one of their two female Bongos last(?) year and its now been replaced with one from Folly Farm. Correct?
 
So just to get this absolutely straight... Paignton lost one of their two female Bongos last(?) year and its now been replaced with one from Folly Farm. Correct?
Correct. We thought we saw her yesterday, but we didn’t - we saw the existing female. We are looking forward to seeing the new female & hopefully a calf in the near future. It would be fantastic if successful breeding happened; the team have had so much bad luck in previous years. Fingers crossed!
 
I can confirm that today I definitely (promise TL Dave ) saw all three Bongo mixed and looking relaxed in their large paddock.
The Giraffe seem to be gaining in confidence a little bit and venturing into the elephant paddock more & more.
The Spider monkeys were having some new furniture added to their outside space.
More aviaries at the top of the zoo near Cottage aviary are now empty - very little left up there sadly.
The flamingo flock have been moved to their Avian Flu safe space and the Wattled Cranes are under their net.
I dearly hope the management fill the paddock behind the restaurant (most recently held Jacob Sheep) and reopen the Takin quarry area.
The gardens and grounds are beginning to look fabulous as we enter spring - it’s truly a joy to walk round mid week this time of year!
 
I dearly hope the management fill the paddock behind the restaurant (most recently held Jacob Sheep) and reopen the Takin quarry area.
No point opening the quarry if there aren't any Takin to put in it.
 
No point opening the quarry if there aren't any Takin to put in it.
With or without Takin, it should open, it’s too good an exhibit to sit empty, in my opinion. I’m sure Dudley would gladly lend/send some of their Barbary sheep from their overcrowded enclosure, for example? There are so many other species that could be exhibited there.
It does appear that the Takin transfer from HWP has stalled, sadly?
 
Joanna the giraffe has died:

Her death leaves the zoo with four giraffes: Florrie, Eliska, Janica, and Otilie

Paignton Zoo Mourns The Loss Of Rothschild's Giraffe, Joanna • Paignton Zoo

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Joanna, our 11-year-old Rothschild’s giraffe. Joanna had been experiencing a decline in health which was no longer responding to treatment. Despite the best efforts of our dedicated veterinary and animal care teams, the difficult decision was made to humanely euthanise Joanna on welfare grounds.
 
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