NEW figures from Cancer Research UK show that people who are obese now outnumber smokers two to one in the South West, as the charity urges Government action to tackle obesity.
While smoking is still the nation’s biggest preventable cause of cancer and carries a much higher risk of the disease than obesity, Cancer Research UK’s analysis also reveals that being overweight or obese trumps smoking as the leading cause of four types of cancer – bowel, kidney, ovarian and liver.
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.
Youngsters in Exeter and Devon are being encouraged to give tennis a try for the first time as part of a drive to get families from communities across the region more active.
With the second week of Wimbledon underway and Brit hope Johanna Konta into the quarter-finals, children from the city took to the courts at Heavitree Pleasure Grounds earlier this week to take part in a Tennis for Kids taster session led by local coaches.
The LTA, the national governing body for tennis in Great Britain, and Exeter City Council joined forces to showcase one of the many courses...
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.
Food Drink Devon is celebrating the success of its first ever industry Summer Party, which was held on Monday 17th June at the stunning Dartington Hall gardens. Over 100 members and non-members enjoyed a wonderful evening of fabulous local food, drink, entertainment and demonstrations.
Barbara King, chair of Food Drink Devon, says: “We are delighted with the triumph of our inaugural summer party. We were blessed with great weather which allowed us to enjoy the beautiful gardens of Dartington Hall whilst tucking in to some delicious local produce and learning new skills. The event...
Two busy Devon railway stations, Cranbrook and Honiton, are to benefit from the installation of Co Bikes electric bike stations, allowing for seamless – and zero carbon – onward commuting options.
The investment by South Western Railway is due to them successfully securing over £1 million in grants from government, local authorities and third-party funding sources to improve cycle-rail connectivity across their network.
In Devon, match funding is through a partnership between Devon County Council and East Devon District Council, alongside the Exeter and East Devon...
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...
Two physicists from the University of Exeter have received prestigious national awards in recognition of their long-standing, pioneering research.
Professor Bill Barnes and Professor Gilles Chabrier have received notable prizes from the Institute of Physics, announced today.
Professor Barnes has been named as the 2019 winner of the Thomas Young Medal, while Professor Chabrier has been awarded the Fred Hoyle Medal.
The awards are designed to recognise, celebrate and reflect the impact and applications of physics in everyday life, the breadth of the discipline in...
Crealy’s breath-taking Hydro High Dive show is returning to the popular family theme park and resort this summer.
Back by popular demand, the brand new fireman-themed show features aerial stunts and dives from a team of professional, international divers.
Divers in this year’s show will be fighting fires and trying to help a frantic woman rescue her stranded baby, whilst performing hair-raising stunts into a small pool less than three metres deep.
Watch in astonishment as the Crealy Brigade performs Olympic style dives, synchronised dives, comedy dives – and fly...
