I've just returned from an enjoyable visit to the "West Country" and some of it's excellent (and one not so excellent) zoos. Rather than do a detailed "Tea Loving Dave report" on this I thought I'd just jot a few notes down on each collection visited (props to him but I haven't got the time or stamina -too much chore/TV/work catching up to do and too many photos to label). In the order I visited them:
Slimbridge
1. Not really much to report having changed since my previous (and first) visit last September;
2. Slimbridge is Slimbridge is Slimbridge -you'll either like it or not (I do/did);
3. Who wouldn't relish the opportunity to see all six types of Flamingo in one place (and if anyone's splitting them further I don't want to know, let me enjoy my warm glow for a while)?;
4. There's a new guidebook with, appropriately, a flamingo on the cover.
Shaldon
1. A real gem of a place (but I'm sure most of you know that already);
2. They seem to be doing very well with the Yellow-breasted Capuchins with at least one baby in a sizeable group (six-ish) and two others held separate (I'm assuming male youngsters from the group);
3. They have a very choice selection of small primates (including Gentle Lemur);
4. Margay (a pair) have replaced the deceased Ocelot. This was the one animal I didn't see, grrr;
5. They have a Pink-tongued Skink (a new species for me);
6. The Nocturnal House is small but perfectly formed -how else to describe a place that holds Slow Loris, Slender Loris, Pygmy Slow Loris, Grey Mouse Lemur, Javan Mouse Deer and Malagasy Jumping Rat (all seen/active)?
7. Finally, I can totally recommend the Ode Restaurant in the car park near the zoo -very, very tasty and ethically/locally sourced.
Living Coasts
1. No new (or any) guidebooks at the moment, I was told it was "with the printers" but wonder if this is a "stock reply" (no pun intended) as I've been told this on prior visits (either they need to get more reliable printers or get better stock control systems);
2. Not a great deal of changes since my last visit about two years ago (not that there's much need or scope to change);
3. Mussels displayed on the sea bird under water viewing may be new;
4. They now hold Asian Short-Clawed Otters (I'm sure it was some other species before) and the enclosures "about OK" in my opinion;
5. Still too small, in my opinion, is the Seal enclosure -though, unfortunately, I can't see that changing anytime soon;
6. Both species of penguins held (Macaroni and Black-footed) seem to be thriving with a number of youngsters of each;
7. Always a pleasure to see the Bank Cormorants but can anyone confirm whether they ever move from that bit of cliff face I always see them on? I even wandered up there, to view from the outside, three mornings about 7am and they were still in exactly the same place.
Newquay
1. In an ironic twist the guide book on sale has a Diana Monkey (no longer held) on the front;
2. The African Plain exhibit is starting to look a whole lot better now the plants around the edges have grown to cover the surrounding edges of the enclosure;
3. Four Wildebeest on display (nice);
4. Nocturnal House solid (Kinkajous and Armadillos) and the Tropical House is still very well done (though far less mammals than there used to be);
5. Lemur Walk-through is no such thing but it was nicely done and good to finally see the Narrow-striped Mongoose (having failed previously both here and at Cologne);
6. There seemed a lot of new/obscure small bird species here (including Hooded Pitta), similar situation at Paignton;
7. The Sulawesi Macaques seem to be thriving (about a dozen in the group);
8. On observation/reflection the three monkey cages near the entrance seemed bigger than before -they're well furnished and perfectly functional for the sized monkeys contained (no better or worse than many other places in the country);
9. Overall, Newquay remains one of the very best smaller zoos in the UK.
Paignton
1. I really enjoyed and appreciated Paignton in a way I haven't before. It's a good zoo but it's never previously "grabbed me" (visited three times before). I think the problem is that it's quite a trek (lots of hilly bits) to see everything and that includes lots of walking around between exhibits where there's very little to see -additionally there's no easy route, without doubling back, to see everything. The thing that's changed my perspective is that this time I visited over two (two-thirds) days visiting just over half the collection each day (some areas I visited both days) -I have reciprocal visit rights so this cost me nothing but realise it's not an ideal option for many;
2. Free-roaming Red-footed tortoise in Tropical House -not sure if this was meant to be but it was entertaining visitors;
3. Nice to see Matadi (Gorilla) who've I've "known" since he was a baby at Twycross;
3. False Gavial was brilliant (although nowhere near a photogenic position). Note that Paignton is probably now the second biggest holder of crocodilian species behind Crocodiles of the World now -four in Crocodile Swamp and another one (or was it two) in Tropical House;
4. Swamp Monkeys back on show (keeper at Gorilla talk said the intention to send them to US seems to have stalled/fizzled out);
5. West Caucasian Tur were excellent and using their enclosure well (two-thirds the way up the cliffs);
6. Nocturnal House is a little dull -little activity (surely the point of displaying species this way) and uninspiring choice of species (Sloth, Bats, unlabelled African Brush-tailed Porcupines) -maybe I was spoiled by Shaldon;
7. Saw both tenrec species held (the Giants were amazing);
8. Amphibian Ark is, in my opinion, the best display of amphibians in the UK (and I'm including London in that assessment) -very good number and range of species very well displayed;
9. The gardens were looking great;
10. Two final words, Mishmi Takin;
11. One very final word, Echidna!
Exmoor
1. My personal favourite of all the zoos visited in the week. It basically comes across as a zoo run by zoo enthusiasts;
2. Many bigger (and similar sized) collections (Twycross springs immediately to mind, but there are others) could learn a lot from this place. Their constant expansion/improvement and commitment to bringing in interesting obscure species is commendable and the signage and educational talks/hands-on presentations are both numerous and excellent -and all this on what must be a very modest budget given a relatively small number of visitors. The fact that they can do things so well here puts to shame a number of establishments with much higher visitor numbers and (assumed) bigger funds available;
3. The selection of “choice” species here is extensive, more so than any other of the smaller UK collections -Yellow-throated Martins, Caracal, Rusty Spotted Cats, Maned Wolf, Puma, Binturong, Tayra, Southern Bald Ibis, Greater Hairy Armadillo, an extensive crane collection (including Saurus), Yellow-billed Stork, New Guinea Singing Dog, Sand Cat, Little Bittern and probably a few others I've missed;
4. New enclosures since my last visit (about two years ago) include an expanded Squirrel Monkey enclosure near the entrance, a sizeable and well furnished enclosure for the Yellow-throated Martins and a very impressive series of simple but large netted aviaries which I presume enables the various species housed to be kept full-wing;
5. They've got a fair-sized group (seven or eight) of Pink Backed Pelicans on the central lake which look good on it -I still have some reservations about the penguins held there (I'm unsure if there's any husbandry issues but it just looks wrong);
6. Another nice touch is the large display area just inside the entrance which lists all recent arrivals, departures and births in detail (i.e. where animals have come from/gone to and when);
7. Final point is that their cafe, though small, is very slickly run (with only short delays during a very busy period of activity). It's also nice to have a chilli that hasn't been dumbed down to a bland level of (non)hotness so that it can appeal to everyone .
Porfell
1. Finally, to the one “blind spot” of my zoo visits during the week;
2. This was my first (and very likely last) visit to this place;
3. Firstly, I'd make the point that it's probably the most isolated (in terms of riding down poor/narrow roads completely of the beaten track) place I've visited in the UK (yes, more so than Hamerton and Galloway). I'm not judging it for this but it does make one wonder how/if a place like this can survive long-term (especially given my following points);
4. To be absolutely fair almost all the enclosures, though scruffy looking, were entirely adequate size-wise and well furnished. Another plus point was that the staff were all friendly and enthusiastic;
5. The main and large problem was that the place was just a “mess” -there seemed no coherency to the collection or the way it was laid out and presented. Tim Brown's reviews of American zoos often highlight the obvious effects on the appearance of those zoos of the sporadic input of substantial funds causing an initiative in (only) one part of the zoo that is never replicated throughout– so that the zoos is a complete mish-mash of styles. Much the same seems to have happened here (obviously on a far less grand scale) -I couldn't say whether this effect is caused by running the place on a tight budget (most likely) or the people who run the place changing their mind on how to develop it on a regular basis;
6. This incoherency was further exacerbated by a very poor map provided (which seemed to imply enclosures in the middle of woods when there weren't any) -which led to myself and my wife wandering woods (a “nature walk”) and getting increasingly frustrated and disoriented when there were no enclosures as seemingly indicated;
7. This disorientation was also made worse by lack of (direction) signage around the zoo which basically meant you had to explore and open many closed-gates in order to find enclosures -it was basically “hunt the enclosures”, opening gates whilst not being completely sure whether you were allowed access to an area or not;
8. The epitome of this was an easy to miss “Education Room” tucked away in a corner which, once entered, seemed dessicated and abandoned (even though there were a few species in very small tanks in there);
9. The hyperbole (on leaflets) regarding the African Plains exhibit (basically three zebras in a large, un-landscaped, field with two or three Masai homestead buildings) was, unsurprisingly, completely inappropriate – the money used could have been used much better elsewhere;
10. The Coati (and similar Raccoon enclosure) was completely inadequate -my lounge has a bigger footprint and there was a single climbing opportunity for the three animals housed. Seriously, if they can't do better than this they shouldn't hold the animals;
11. Which brings me to neatly to my conclusion on this place -it's a rag bag of species (including De Brazza's surprisingly) in a collection with no overriding theme, rhyme or reason. At present it's hard to say it has any “above average” qualities and, to my mind, if a place can't do better than that, I struggle to see the point in it's existence or my supporting it by visiting;
12. Oh species, yes they do have a (very obese) Bonnet Macaque and an interesting hybrid Macaque too but, all things considered, I'd suggest you spend the potential entrance fee on a little more petrol and go to Newquay or Exmoor instead (depending on which direction you're coming from) -both would deliver an infinitely more satisfying experience.
Miscellaneous
1. I can thoroughly recommend where I stayed in Torquay, Briarfields B & B. If it's within your normal price range you won't find a better place to stay;
2. Stopping at the Gordano service station on the way down I noted there was a plethora of brochures for zoos both near and far. Puzzingly, however, the two places not represented were Bristol & Wild Place
;
3. Talking of brochures I did notice some brochure inflation going on in that many are moving away from the standard (smaller) size and getting bigger in a presumed attempt to get noticed;
4. Going home we stopped at the Gloucester service station, recently established by the people who run the (marginally) famous Tebay service station on the M6 -suffice to say if you like the latter you'll love the former;
Slimbridge
1. Not really much to report having changed since my previous (and first) visit last September;
2. Slimbridge is Slimbridge is Slimbridge -you'll either like it or not (I do/did);
3. Who wouldn't relish the opportunity to see all six types of Flamingo in one place (and if anyone's splitting them further I don't want to know, let me enjoy my warm glow for a while)?;
4. There's a new guidebook with, appropriately, a flamingo on the cover.
Shaldon
1. A real gem of a place (but I'm sure most of you know that already);
2. They seem to be doing very well with the Yellow-breasted Capuchins with at least one baby in a sizeable group (six-ish) and two others held separate (I'm assuming male youngsters from the group);
3. They have a very choice selection of small primates (including Gentle Lemur);
4. Margay (a pair) have replaced the deceased Ocelot. This was the one animal I didn't see, grrr;
5. They have a Pink-tongued Skink (a new species for me);
6. The Nocturnal House is small but perfectly formed -how else to describe a place that holds Slow Loris, Slender Loris, Pygmy Slow Loris, Grey Mouse Lemur, Javan Mouse Deer and Malagasy Jumping Rat (all seen/active)?
7. Finally, I can totally recommend the Ode Restaurant in the car park near the zoo -very, very tasty and ethically/locally sourced.
Living Coasts
1. No new (or any) guidebooks at the moment, I was told it was "with the printers" but wonder if this is a "stock reply" (no pun intended) as I've been told this on prior visits (either they need to get more reliable printers or get better stock control systems);
2. Not a great deal of changes since my last visit about two years ago (not that there's much need or scope to change);
3. Mussels displayed on the sea bird under water viewing may be new;
4. They now hold Asian Short-Clawed Otters (I'm sure it was some other species before) and the enclosures "about OK" in my opinion;
5. Still too small, in my opinion, is the Seal enclosure -though, unfortunately, I can't see that changing anytime soon;
6. Both species of penguins held (Macaroni and Black-footed) seem to be thriving with a number of youngsters of each;
7. Always a pleasure to see the Bank Cormorants but can anyone confirm whether they ever move from that bit of cliff face I always see them on? I even wandered up there, to view from the outside, three mornings about 7am and they were still in exactly the same place.
Newquay
1. In an ironic twist the guide book on sale has a Diana Monkey (no longer held) on the front;
2. The African Plain exhibit is starting to look a whole lot better now the plants around the edges have grown to cover the surrounding edges of the enclosure;
3. Four Wildebeest on display (nice);
4. Nocturnal House solid (Kinkajous and Armadillos) and the Tropical House is still very well done (though far less mammals than there used to be);
5. Lemur Walk-through is no such thing but it was nicely done and good to finally see the Narrow-striped Mongoose (having failed previously both here and at Cologne);
6. There seemed a lot of new/obscure small bird species here (including Hooded Pitta), similar situation at Paignton;
7. The Sulawesi Macaques seem to be thriving (about a dozen in the group);
8. On observation/reflection the three monkey cages near the entrance seemed bigger than before -they're well furnished and perfectly functional for the sized monkeys contained (no better or worse than many other places in the country);
9. Overall, Newquay remains one of the very best smaller zoos in the UK.
Paignton
1. I really enjoyed and appreciated Paignton in a way I haven't before. It's a good zoo but it's never previously "grabbed me" (visited three times before). I think the problem is that it's quite a trek (lots of hilly bits) to see everything and that includes lots of walking around between exhibits where there's very little to see -additionally there's no easy route, without doubling back, to see everything. The thing that's changed my perspective is that this time I visited over two (two-thirds) days visiting just over half the collection each day (some areas I visited both days) -I have reciprocal visit rights so this cost me nothing but realise it's not an ideal option for many;
2. Free-roaming Red-footed tortoise in Tropical House -not sure if this was meant to be but it was entertaining visitors;
3. Nice to see Matadi (Gorilla) who've I've "known" since he was a baby at Twycross;
3. False Gavial was brilliant (although nowhere near a photogenic position). Note that Paignton is probably now the second biggest holder of crocodilian species behind Crocodiles of the World now -four in Crocodile Swamp and another one (or was it two) in Tropical House;
4. Swamp Monkeys back on show (keeper at Gorilla talk said the intention to send them to US seems to have stalled/fizzled out);
5. West Caucasian Tur were excellent and using their enclosure well (two-thirds the way up the cliffs);
6. Nocturnal House is a little dull -little activity (surely the point of displaying species this way) and uninspiring choice of species (Sloth, Bats, unlabelled African Brush-tailed Porcupines) -maybe I was spoiled by Shaldon;
7. Saw both tenrec species held (the Giants were amazing);
8. Amphibian Ark is, in my opinion, the best display of amphibians in the UK (and I'm including London in that assessment) -very good number and range of species very well displayed;
9. The gardens were looking great;
10. Two final words, Mishmi Takin;
11. One very final word, Echidna!
Exmoor
1. My personal favourite of all the zoos visited in the week. It basically comes across as a zoo run by zoo enthusiasts;
2. Many bigger (and similar sized) collections (Twycross springs immediately to mind, but there are others) could learn a lot from this place. Their constant expansion/improvement and commitment to bringing in interesting obscure species is commendable and the signage and educational talks/hands-on presentations are both numerous and excellent -and all this on what must be a very modest budget given a relatively small number of visitors. The fact that they can do things so well here puts to shame a number of establishments with much higher visitor numbers and (assumed) bigger funds available;
3. The selection of “choice” species here is extensive, more so than any other of the smaller UK collections -Yellow-throated Martins, Caracal, Rusty Spotted Cats, Maned Wolf, Puma, Binturong, Tayra, Southern Bald Ibis, Greater Hairy Armadillo, an extensive crane collection (including Saurus), Yellow-billed Stork, New Guinea Singing Dog, Sand Cat, Little Bittern and probably a few others I've missed;
4. New enclosures since my last visit (about two years ago) include an expanded Squirrel Monkey enclosure near the entrance, a sizeable and well furnished enclosure for the Yellow-throated Martins and a very impressive series of simple but large netted aviaries which I presume enables the various species housed to be kept full-wing;
5. They've got a fair-sized group (seven or eight) of Pink Backed Pelicans on the central lake which look good on it -I still have some reservations about the penguins held there (I'm unsure if there's any husbandry issues but it just looks wrong);
6. Another nice touch is the large display area just inside the entrance which lists all recent arrivals, departures and births in detail (i.e. where animals have come from/gone to and when);
7. Final point is that their cafe, though small, is very slickly run (with only short delays during a very busy period of activity). It's also nice to have a chilli that hasn't been dumbed down to a bland level of (non)hotness so that it can appeal to everyone .
Porfell
1. Finally, to the one “blind spot” of my zoo visits during the week;
2. This was my first (and very likely last) visit to this place;
3. Firstly, I'd make the point that it's probably the most isolated (in terms of riding down poor/narrow roads completely of the beaten track) place I've visited in the UK (yes, more so than Hamerton and Galloway). I'm not judging it for this but it does make one wonder how/if a place like this can survive long-term (especially given my following points);
4. To be absolutely fair almost all the enclosures, though scruffy looking, were entirely adequate size-wise and well furnished. Another plus point was that the staff were all friendly and enthusiastic;
5. The main and large problem was that the place was just a “mess” -there seemed no coherency to the collection or the way it was laid out and presented. Tim Brown's reviews of American zoos often highlight the obvious effects on the appearance of those zoos of the sporadic input of substantial funds causing an initiative in (only) one part of the zoo that is never replicated throughout– so that the zoos is a complete mish-mash of styles. Much the same seems to have happened here (obviously on a far less grand scale) -I couldn't say whether this effect is caused by running the place on a tight budget (most likely) or the people who run the place changing their mind on how to develop it on a regular basis;
6. This incoherency was further exacerbated by a very poor map provided (which seemed to imply enclosures in the middle of woods when there weren't any) -which led to myself and my wife wandering woods (a “nature walk”) and getting increasingly frustrated and disoriented when there were no enclosures as seemingly indicated;
7. This disorientation was also made worse by lack of (direction) signage around the zoo which basically meant you had to explore and open many closed-gates in order to find enclosures -it was basically “hunt the enclosures”, opening gates whilst not being completely sure whether you were allowed access to an area or not;
8. The epitome of this was an easy to miss “Education Room” tucked away in a corner which, once entered, seemed dessicated and abandoned (even though there were a few species in very small tanks in there);
9. The hyperbole (on leaflets) regarding the African Plains exhibit (basically three zebras in a large, un-landscaped, field with two or three Masai homestead buildings) was, unsurprisingly, completely inappropriate – the money used could have been used much better elsewhere;
10. The Coati (and similar Raccoon enclosure) was completely inadequate -my lounge has a bigger footprint and there was a single climbing opportunity for the three animals housed. Seriously, if they can't do better than this they shouldn't hold the animals;
11. Which brings me to neatly to my conclusion on this place -it's a rag bag of species (including De Brazza's surprisingly) in a collection with no overriding theme, rhyme or reason. At present it's hard to say it has any “above average” qualities and, to my mind, if a place can't do better than that, I struggle to see the point in it's existence or my supporting it by visiting;
12. Oh species, yes they do have a (very obese) Bonnet Macaque and an interesting hybrid Macaque too but, all things considered, I'd suggest you spend the potential entrance fee on a little more petrol and go to Newquay or Exmoor instead (depending on which direction you're coming from) -both would deliver an infinitely more satisfying experience.
Miscellaneous
1. I can thoroughly recommend where I stayed in Torquay, Briarfields B & B. If it's within your normal price range you won't find a better place to stay;
2. Stopping at the Gordano service station on the way down I noted there was a plethora of brochures for zoos both near and far. Puzzingly, however, the two places not represented were Bristol & Wild Place
;3. Talking of brochures I did notice some brochure inflation going on in that many are moving away from the standard (smaller) size and getting bigger in a presumed attempt to get noticed;
4. Going home we stopped at the Gloucester service station, recently established by the people who run the (marginally) famous Tebay service station on the M6 -suffice to say if you like the latter you'll love the former;
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