A Devon educator has become the first accredited UN climate change teacher in a UK zoo.
Steve Nash, Head of Education for Wild Planet Trust, the charity that runs Paignton Zoo, Living Coasts in Torquay and Newquay Zoo in Cornwall, has become a UN Accredited Climate Change teacher.
“The modules are based on the most recent evidence regarding climate change science and its impacts on everyday life around the world. It is now widely acknowledged that we are facing a climate emergency – and a changing climate poses challenges for wildlife, for wild places, and for us as a...
It’s summer on the English Riviera, the weather is gorgeous – and the baby is asleep… Life is good.
The new baby black howler monkey at Paignton Zoo is unnamed and the sex is unknown – keepers are just letting mum Bonita get on with it. The early days and weeks of an animal’s life are always perilous, but she’s an experienced mum and the weather is good, which will help.
The photo shows Bonita, the new-born and last year’s baby, Pablo, all asleep together. Bonita, enjoy the tranquility while you can...!
Black howler monkeys live in troops and shout to defend their...
Swimming trunks, a fishing rod and part of a car exhaust system were among the surprising items found on the latest beach clean organised by staff at Living Coasts.
The charity zoo’s Events Coordinator Hayley Gibson said: “We had 72 volunteers on the day, which was fantastic, and we collected 4 large bin bags full of litter. Goodrington is a fairly well-kept beach, but if you look beneath the surface you will find lots of rubbish!
“Some of the more peculiar item included a pair of Speedos, a fishing rod and part of a car exhaust pipe. There were as usual lots of crisp...
A key regional conservation charity has signed up to a campaign highlighting an environmental issue that has been described as the world’s most important yet least discussed – population growth.
Wild Planet Trust, the charity that runs Paignton Zoo, Living Coasts in Torquay and Newquay Zoo in Cornwall, has joined the Thriving Together campaign, which recognises that family planning is critically important not only for women and girls but also for the environment.
The zoo charity joins 150 other leading environmental and reproductive health organisations pledging support for...
The matriarch of Paignton Zoo has died. Female African elephant Duchess collapsed in her house early on Sunday morning. Despite a determined and extended response from her keepers, the in-house vet team and other staff and volunteers, the difficult decision to euthaniase her was taken at lunch-time.
Simon Tonge, Executive Director of Paignton Zoo, was present throughout: “Duchess was found collapsed in her house at 8.00 in the morning. She was lying on her left side – with her good eye to the floor - and unable to stand, which was distressing for her keepers to see.
The TB restrictions at Paignton Zoo have been lifted. The conservation charity has been constrained since August 2017, when a single case of TB was discovered.
A crucial final test has come back all clear. Head of Veterinary Services Ghislaine Sayers said: “We’ve been through a lot. Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to care for animals during this difficult time and to help get us clear!”
Paignton Zoo’s Executive Director Simon Tonge: “We are looking to the future with a renewed sense of certainty. Paignton Zoo plays such an important role in many European...
This Vietnam pheasant chick – and others like it hatched recently at Paignton Zoo – could be the future of its species.
Bird keepers at the charity zoo are based in the Avian Breeding Centre, commonly known as the ABC. The chick is being cared for here; while it’s preferable for chicks to be parent reared, keepers will step in to give nature a helping hand when needed.
Another six (unrelated) Vietnam pheasant chicks are being reared by their parents in an off-show holding area. A video taken by keeping staff offers a rare glimpse into this hidden world.
Local zoos are setting high environmental and ethical standards for their suppliers to ensure the quality of products in their shops. Questionnaires were sent to some 70 different suppliers asking about the environmental, ethical and recycling components of their businesses.
The initiative was launched by South West Zoo Enterprises, the retail arm of Paignton Zoo, Living Coasts, Torquay’s coastal zoo and aquarium, and Newquay Zoo in Cornwall.
Questions on the email evaluation forms included: “Is there a possibility of goods being delivered without using plastics for...
The charity behind the region’s three top zoos has launched a new website with a new look and a radical new approach. Wild Planet Trust is the new name for the charity that runs Paignton Zoo, Living Coasts in Torquay and Newquay Zoo in Cornwall.
The charity’s new website places a strong emphasis on highlighting the conservation and research work of the zoos.
Trust spokesperson Phil Knowling said: “Our new website leads on our science and conservation work. This is the most important thing we do, and we wanted to make that clear. The site has a strong look and is easy to get...
There are baby red ruffed lemurs at Paignton Zoo – and just look at them!
The charity zoo is a professional science and conservation body working internationally to help save these Critically Endangered primates – but sometimes all the serious stuff is pushed to one side by incredibly cute baby animals.
Head Keeper of Mammals Owen Taylor said: “When we were sure she was close to giving birth, we put some ropes up at the indoor viewing area to give her some additional privacy and the best opportunity of raising her offspring.”
