Paignton Zoo

Beach litter threatens wildlife, says charity

Staff at Torquay’s coastal zoo have spoken out about the amount of litter on the beaches and in the sea and highlighted the threat to marine life.

Clare Rugg, from Living Coasts, explained: “Beacon Cove is the beach on our doorstep. Some litter is brought in by the waves but much of it is left by beach users. The Council regularly cleans the beach – but it becomes littered again...

Conservationists beat around the bush

Scientists will be practising an unlikely conservation technique in a Paignton wood - hitting trees with big sticks!

The Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, based at Paignton Zoo, is holding a free BioBlitz – a community nature hunt – in Primley Park, Paignton, on Saturday 20th September, and tree-bashing is on the agenda.

The Trust’s UK Conservation Officer and BioBlitz...

Paignton Zoo’s Amazon wish list

Paignton Zoo has started an online wish list of gifts – for the animals.

It includes sprinklers to help cool the rhinos on a hot day, rubber balls and a bubble machine for monkeys to play with and aromatherapy oils for tigers to sniff.

The Zoo is a UK leader in environmental enrichment, the science of giving animals things to stimulate them mentally and physically. Now, keepers...

Plymouth zoo keeper heads for New Zealand

Paignton Zoo keepers Dave Rich and Lorraine Miller are going to New Zealand to start a new life together – along with a zoo full of animals.

The couple will be taking their experience and training to New Zealand, where they have both been offered jobs at Orana Wildlife Park, near Christchurch. And their experience of working with gorillas means that they could be part of an historic...

Zoo vets go digital

A wildlife charity has invested in new equipment to help its vet team treat animals more efficiently.

Paignton Zoo Environmental Park has purchased an x-ray digital scanner which has the potential to speed up animal care, reduce costs and make the work greener.

The AGFA CR30XM x-ray digital scanner has been supplied by Celtic SMR.

Ghislaine Sayers, Head of Veterinary...

It’s Mothers’ Day every day at Paignton Zoo!

Paignton Zoo’s two orang utan mothers are being kept busy by their offspring.

Mali gave birth on Thursday 11th April 2013. Her female baby was named Tatau after a public vote. Chinta gave birth on Sunday 22nd December. Natalia was named by readers of the Herald Express.

Both have been photographed by Paignton Zoo volunteer Ray Wiltshire.

The Bornean orang utan (Pongo...

Giant ants invade Paignton Zoo

A long line of colourful ants is marching through Paignton Zoo.

The 8-inch insects form a trail that will lead from the Zoo’s entrance building all the way to the new invertebrate house, a distance of over 300 metres.

The invaders are pictures which are being coloured in and hung up. The Amazing Ant Trail will guide visitors to the new Investigate exhibit, which is due to open...

Second orang utan baby for Paignton Zoo

Paignton Zoo Environmental Park is celebrating a second orang utan birth in 9 months.

Bornean orang utan Chinta gave birth on Sunday 22 December.

Paignton Zoo Environmental Park Director of Operations and Curator of Mammals Neil Bemment said: “You wait 16 years and then two babies come along in nine months!” One of the Zoo’s other females, Mali, gave birth to a female baby...

Gorilla in a coat of many colours

A piece of art that spent the summer in Exeter is expected to be one of the stars of a charity auction on Wednesday 6 November.

The life-size three-dimensional silverback gorilla is painted in the colours and patterns of a range of other animals.

The gorilla, named Miss Prints, has bird wings down the shoulders and forearms, one back leg seems to have come from a zebra while...

Make a bid for a Great Gorilla

The Great Gorillas Project reaches its climax on 6th November, when a troop of large gorilla sculptures will be sold for charity.

The project, celebrating Paignton Zoo’s 90th birthday, is raising funds for gorilla conservation and for Children’s Hospice South West.

Life-size model gorillas, sponsored by businesses and community groups, painted in original designs by specially-...

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