Paignton Zoo

Rare toads arrive at Devon zoo

Paignton Zoo Environmental Park has become the only institution in the UK to keep a rare and special type of South American toad.

The Devon zoo is now home to around 30 harlequin toads, Atelopus spumarius, after adding more individuals from Manchester Museum to its existing group.

Atelopus is a genus – a group of species – of small, attractive true toads from Central and South...

Paignton Zoo keeper hatches conservation success

This is the extraordinary moment the hatching of a rare Mauritius pink pigeon chick was caught on video – and the moment the hard work started in earnest for Paignton Zoo bird keeper Tom Tooley. Senior Bird Keeper Tom is currently 6,000 miles away on the island of Mauritius. But if you think he’s dodged the English winter to relax on a tropical island, think again. He’s spending time with...

Giraffe death shocks zoo

Staff and volunteers at Paignton Zoo Environmental Park have been left shocked by the sudden death of male giraffe Yoda. The 14-year-old northern giraffe was found collapsed in the giraffe house early this morning.

Zoo spokesperson Phil Knowling said: “This has come as a huge shock. He was a noble animal, one of the best-known and best-loved characters in the Zoo. There was no warning...

Trunk in charge!

A charity beer has raised an elephantine sum for wildlife conservation. Bays Brewery helped generate £3,282 by selling a special beer – Trunk Ale - on behalf of wildlife charity Paignton Zoo Environmental Park.

Paignton Zoo supports environmental education in the Omo Forest of south-western Nigeria, where the elusive forest elephant still survives. The Zoo has been funding work there...

Zoo’s UK tortoise first

The spider tortoise is one of the world’s smallest tortoises – and one of the rarest. Now, Paignton Zoo has become the first in the UK to breed the species.

Paignton Zoo has become the first zoo in the country to breed a tiny tortoise on the edge of extinction. The secret? A fine blend of driving passion and cool-headed science.

The spider tortoise (Pyxis arachnoides) is one of...

Zoos fly the flag for native species

Zoos are all about exotic species – aren’t they? Well, three top local zoos are doing their bit to highlight the importance of native species.

Paignton Zoo Environmental Park, Living Coasts in Torquay and Newquay Zoo in Cornwall are aiming to give local wildlife a real boost this year. Native species are the theme for the season at all three zoos, under the banner of Nearby Nature....

Spotting the betcherygarr

Most people visit Paignton Zoo to see rare and unusual animals - species they may never have seen before from exotic habitats around the world. So it comes as a surprise to discover that the star of Paignton Zoo’s new guest encounter is also the world’s most popular pet bird – the budgie.

The Australian budgerigar may seem like an odd choice for a Zoo talk. Group Education Manager...

Zoo breeds lizard of many names

Paignton Zoo has just bred a rare and unusual lizard for the very first time.

The Solomon Islands skink is also known as the prehensile-tailed skink, or the monkey-tailed skink… or the giant skink… or the monkey skink… or even the zebra skink Whatever you call it, this is one extraordinary creature.

For a start, it’s the world’s largest skink. A skink is a type of lizard – the...

Trunk call!

A local business is boosting the cause of conservation by doing what it does best – selling great beer. Bays Brewery has launched a special beer – Trunk Ale - on behalf of wildlife charity Paignton Zoo Environmental Park.

Trunk Ale has been brewed using traditional methods but with exciting new hops, resulting in a well-balanced deep amber ale of 4.5%.

Paignton Zoo supports...

The girl with the frog tattoos

Zoo keepers are dedicated, passionate – even obsessed. They are devoted to the animals with which they work...

For one keeper at Paignton Zoo Environmental Park in Devon, each conservation success means so much to her that she gets a permanent reminder.

Dr Katy Upton marks her team’s first successful breeding of each rare frog species with an anatomically correct frog tattoo....

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