Paignton Zoo What to see at Paignton Zoo

DesertRhino150

DesertRhino150

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
In a few weeks time, I am heading down to Devon and will use the opportunity to visit Paignton Zoo. Before I go, I want to have a small list of animals that really should not be missed. I was wondering if any Paignton regulars could offer me advice into what I should definately see, where it is in the zoo and when the best time is to see it.

Thanks in advance :D
 
Whilst not a Paignton regular I do get down there near annually so I'll have a blast at answering you. Personally I always feel that whilst Paignton is a nice looking, reasonably well laid out zoo with some good exhibits (I love the baboon rock) the species selection, for it's size, is a little "vanilla". That said it does have a number of oddities and rare (in zoos) species to look out for.

The real star for me is the Echidna, a monotreme -it's a mammal that lays eggs!! I know everyone knows that, but I still find that wonderous. There's very few in captivity outside of Australia and, as far as I know, it's the only one in the UK. Best time to catch it is 4pm to closing (that's been learnt over years of experience and a lot of wasted journies up the hill to it's enclosure).

Other rarities include Allen's Swamp Monkey, Mueller's Gibbon, Hartmann's Mountain Zebra and the Nine-banded Armadillo (in the nocturnal house).

Given you're Essex based, further intersting species for you might be Collared Peccaries, Cusimanses, and the Grey Kangaroos which, if I remember coorrectly aren't common in zoos near you. The crocodilian collection is also nice (but I'm sure that was on your short-list anyway).
 
If Colchester is your local zoo, you shouldn't miss the orangutans in the trees on their island.
 
Okay here goes. As a Paignton member i'll try the best I can.

I'll start with the newer arrivals.

The most obvious new arrival is the baby male giraffe. Born in February he's now getting quite active and curious.

The white kafue flats lechwe calf that was born recently is also nice to see. Unfortunately between the path and the enclosure there are two chain link fences. If the herd a laying down on the plateaux in the enclosure it may be difficult to get a clear photograph of her.

Near there are the Kangaroo's in a walk-in exhibit. Although the Kangaroo's generally stay away from the path. They can often be seen in two groups. One in the open and clear area of the enclosure, the second hiding under the trees at the end of the path.

The Croc house is good, but be prepared to wait 5 or 10 minutes for you camera lense to stop fogging up due to the change in temperature.

Across on the other side of the valley are the lions and tigers. The lions are generally inactive and will happily s[end the whole time asleep on the platforms in the enclosure. The tigers are slightly more active. With the two remaining cubs now almost as big as mother and play stalking you should get some nice images of them.

There new baby common cusimanse are cute as is the baby azara agouti. These two are within the same enclosure along with the zoo's group of fruit bats.
 
On the subject of new arrivals, if you lean over the gate next to the Animal Encounters building, which is near the kangaroo exhibit, you may be able to see the Red Capped Mangabeys in the quarantine cages. Apparently they recently had a baby.
The Lesser Mouse Deer in Monkey Heights also have a new baby.
 
Thanks for such quick replies! :D I look forward to seeing the species mentioned. I'll see if I can find the mangabeys, although I don't normally have to go too far to see them normally, being a Colchester regular and all that ;)
 
A highlight must also be the only oriental white stork in the UK, if it is on show i don't know
 
kiang said:
A highlight must also be the only oriental white stork in the UK, if it is on show i don't know
Click to expand...

There was one in the aviaries near to the bongos and bird rearing centre, last year. ISIS lists 0.2 at the moment.
 
kiang said:
A highlight must also be the only oriental white stork in the UK, if it is on show i don't know
Click to expand...

Also the Grey Gulls in the aviary next to the reptile nursery are very unusual.
 
Gigit said:
On the subject of new arrivals, if you lean over the gate next to the Animal Encounters building, which is near the kangaroo exhibit, you may be able to see the Red Capped Mangabeys in the quarantine cages. Apparently they recently had a baby.
Click to expand...

Not such new arrivals anymore!;)
 
Thanks for all your replies! :D I've now got a loose idea of what I should really focus on seeing, and will try to see the following species:

Short-beaked echidna!!! :D
Nine-banded armadillo
Allen's swamp monkey
Mueller's gibbon
Hartmann's mountain zebra
Oriental white stork
Grey gull
 
Carnaby's Black Cockatoo
Duyvenbode's Lory
Hooded Parakeet
Freckled Duck
Green Oropendola
Marginated Tortoise
Voracious Stump-tailed Gecko
Papuan Water Python
 
bongorob said:
Carnaby's Black Cockatoo
Duyvenbode's Lory
Hooded Parakeet
Freckled Duck
Green Oropendola
Marginated Tortoise
Voracious Stump-tailed Gecko
Papuan Water Python
Click to expand...

Marginated Tortoise weren`t on show in March this year.
Voracious Stump-tailed Gecko I believe are off show.
Green Oropendola have left the collection I believe.
 
Thanks for the update Zoogiraffe.

Pythons in the reptile house, Hooded Parakeets are in the desert house. Freckled duck in the flamingo pond and cockatoos in the parrot aviary. Or that was the case a year ago.
 
Have just been to the zoo today. Saw the THREE new arrival in the Monkey Heights area. The Cherry Mangabey, Mouse Deer and a very new arrival a baby Emperor Tamarin. Still clinging to mum for dear life. It could only be a few days old.

Yoda is now back with the girls and Tonda, it was nice to see all four giraffes out together.

The Tiger cubs seem to dislike pigeons with a passion. One of the jumped into the giant fur tree towards the back of the enclosure to have a swipe at it.
 
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