Paignton Zoo Paignton Zoo news 2025

Inside the fight to save two precious South West zoos video here with a bit more of an update - although still a lot of careful wording.

Main bit of information is that the zoos are not at threat of closure in the near future and the action has been taken for a view to the medium term. Of course it depends on how you define those - Kings might have slipped up when he said if we don't change things the zoos might not be there in '5/10/15 years time' so maybe 5 years is the medium term.
 
Also this: Jim Parker: Paignton Zoo will survive - but it will be a much more different place in the future

Bit of a puff piece from someone who knows the CEO and also a journalist who isn't exactly known for his business savvy - he was one of the people who was happy to post positive articles about Torquay United's dodgy owner who sold the club last year. However probably the most pertinent quote from the article is this:

That doesn’t mean the business is necessarily up for sale. “This isn’t about selling off the zoo, it’s about securing its future for the next 30 years,” says Mr Kings

“Securing investment will ensure we protect the long-term future of our conservation charity and continue to help halt species decline.”

He added: “We have previously shared information regarding the financial challenges that we face and whilst we have already taken appropriate action to try to ease these challenges, this is another avenue for us to investigate.”
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Hey- just wondering if anyone here has done the kiwi experience at Paignton? There isn’t much information online and I would love to know what exactly it entails. They’re my absolute favourite animal but it is a bit pricey and I have seen kiwi in nocturnal houses before. I would love to know how much time you spend with the animal, if there is any possible interaction (feeding?) etc. Thanks!
 
AbiSquid said:
Hey- just wondering if anyone here has done the kiwi experience at Paignton? There isn’t much information online and I would love to know what exactly it entails. They’re my absolute favourite animal but it is a bit pricey and I have seen kiwi in nocturnal houses before. I would love to know how much time you spend with the animal, if there is any possible interaction (feeding?) etc. Thanks!
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I met someone who’d done it and they thought it was great value and a truly one off opportunity in the U.K..
 
TriUK said:
PAIGNTON ZOO SEEKS INVESTMENT AS INTEREST EMERGES FROM UK AND EUROPE • Paignton Zoo

There has been some initial investment/sales interest from U.K. and Europe, apparently….?
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This move by the Board and CEO somehow seems to give off the sense of a lack of business acumen and vision. It is high time the PZ would go back to what it was good at with the conservation NGO Whitley Trust. It seems to me this talk of outside investment and sale is just a form of selling yourself short to the highest bidder or your soul to the devil and selling out.
 
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Kifaru Bwana said:
This move by the Board and CEO somehow seems to give off the sense of a lack of business acumen and vision. It is high time the PZ would go back to what it was good at with the conservation NGO Whitley Trust. It seems to me this talk of outside investment and sale is just a form of selling yourself short to the highest bidder or your soul to the devil and selling out.
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The conservation NGO still exists and operates, just under the newer Wild Planet Trust name. That doesn’t change the evident lack of funds to run the zoos.
 
Gulls86 said:
Also this: Jim Parker: Paignton Zoo will survive - but it will be a much more different place in the future

Bit of a puff piece from someone who knows the CEO and also a journalist who isn't exactly known for his business savvy - he was one of the people who was happy to post positive articles about Torquay United's dodgy owner who sold the club last year. However probably the most pertinent quote from the article is this:
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Part of the article: “A transition to chairman and the appointment of a new CEO for the Trust followed and all seemed well. But suddenly Mr Kings had to fill the shoes of the CEO on his departure and the so-called 'interim' role has been far from 'interim.
Not only that, but he now finds himself in charge of a charity and business in crisis and facing the most serious financial challenge in its history stretching back more than a century.
I suspect he sometimes wishes to be back in the classroom.”

Possibly only all felt well with the Trustees not keeping a close enough eye on the new CEO they appointed (and not listening to concerns from others), letting him run amuck with the zoo and its finances, then trying to show they’re doing all their best to save both zoos once it’s nearly too late. I suspect that many wish he was back in the classroom.
 
polarbear said:
Part of the article: “A transition to chairman and the appointment of a new CEO for the Trust followed and all seemed well. But suddenly Mr Kings had to fill the shoes of the CEO on his departure and the so-called 'interim' role has been far from 'interim.
Not only that, but he now finds himself in charge of a charity and business in crisis and facing the most serious financial challenge in its history stretching back more than a century.
I suspect he sometimes wishes to be back in the classroom.”

Possibly only all felt well with the Trustees not keeping a close enough eye on the new CEO they appointed (and not listening to concerns from others), letting him run amuck with the zoo and its finances, then trying to show they’re doing all their best to save both zoos once it’s nearly too late. I suspect that many wish he was back in the classroom.
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I think this is more than a little harsh. Flynn pulled the wool over the trustees eyes and yes, we can point fingers re. poor recruitment etc, but that will get the zoos nowhere right now. Kings stepped in and (I don’t know about current status) covered the CEO interim post voluntarily without pay, giving up his retirement time. Mistakes were made, but he has grasped the reigns of stewardship and begun to change the organisational culture as well as reinstate much of the damage Flynn did and affirm the foundations of the infrastructure Tongue neglected before him. The point is, Kings is being transparent & honest where he can about the zoos future and trying to fix it and we all need to rally & support it. We will lose it if we don’t! I’ve been one of the zoos biggest critics in the past. I asked for opportunities to address my concerns with previous management and my voice was never heard. I asked for an opportunity to voice my many concerns & criticisms in person, face to face, with Mr Kings and he found the time and truly listened. That’s gold!
 
Limbali, the Zoo’s new male king colobus monkey, rather unexpectedly passed away on Wednesday following complications from a degenerative spinal condition. Limbali was born on 27 November 2005 at Marwell Zoo, later moving to Blackpool Zoo in 2011 where he spent most of his life. He arrived at Paignton as part of a breeding programme, in attempt to pair successfully with our females (22-year-old Ivy and 13-year-old Lola).

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Bit disappointed.

This weekend Devon Scouts have organised a deal that all scouts in uniform get into the zoo for free.

The Zoo shared on the facebook today that the Scouts climbing wall will be there, but zero mention of the offer!

Whilst local scout groups are pushing, there will be some who dont mention it and the zoo could drag them in by advertising themself!

I dont understand why they wouldnt want to encourage as many people as possible to visit?
 
Visited today with Devon Scouts. Despite the weather there were lots of Scout groups around!

Over 800 individuals entered yesterday on the Scout deal. No idea on today but the restaurant and shop were heaving while we were there.

Staff confirmed that the Markhor have arrived and are loving the new enclosure. Hoping they will be out on show in the next week or so. Which means 2 of hogs have now gone to Edinburgh.
 
I visited yesterday & also had it confirmed that Edinburghs Markhor group had arrived, though the adult male arrived later as he couldn’t be caught, apparently? I can’t wait to see them.
Plastic construction (red & white) barriers have been placed in front of the rhino house entrances & it looks horrendous!
The zoo looks stunning in the autumn fall, but it also highlights the general ‘shabbyness’ of so many areas that need essential work.
The new sand lizard exhibit looks great, so well done herp & maintenance teams.
 
Markhor sound like an excellent takin replacement on the quarry. The only ones in England, I look forward to seeing them. It's so refreshing to hear word of exciting new species come out of Paignton.

In what part of the zoo are the Sand Lizards kept? Is it a Chester-esque outdoor exhibit or a more standard indoor one?
 
Interesting figures from the weekend.

Total attendance over 2 days was 2750, with 1300 being Scouts visiting on the free offer.

Today they had around 500 scouts on site and only 200 normal customers.

The restaurant and shop were heaving with Scouts when we were in both, so hopefully a nice big taking on food sales and merchandise too!
 
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