conservation

Dartmoor Zoo successfully breeds endangered Madagascan lizard

Conservationists at family attraction, Dartmoor Zoo, have revealed that they have successfully bred the endangered yellow-headed day gecko in captivity following the hatching of a juvenile gecko on 25 June. The tiny baby is the first to hatch from a clutch of eggs produced by a carefully planned breeding programme which identified the valuable genetics of Dartmoor Zoo's three adult yellow...

Dartmoor Zoo successfully breeds endangered Madagascan lizard

Conservationists at family attraction, Dartmoor Zoo, have revealed that they have successfully bred the endangered yellow-headed day gecko in captivity following the hatching of a juvenile gecko on 25 June. The tiny baby is the first to hatch from a clutch of eggs produced by a carefully planned breeding programme which identified the valuable genetics of Dartmoor Zoo's three adult yellow...

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...

Plastic art with a conservation heart at Living Coasts

Conservationists in Torquay have turned marine waste into thought-provoking art.

A new installation at Living Coasts, Torquay’s coastal zoo and aquarium, combines education, plastic waste and inspirational creativity. And for zoo artist Jackie Kidd, the task has turned into an obsession - and a new hobby.

Jackie collected rubbish on beaches for 6 weeks to make the work. And she...

Fish soup five times a day…

Are there any tricks to rearing a penguin? Clare: “Patience, dedication – and not being put off by the smell of fish…!”

A sickly African penguin chick has been nursed back to health with fish soup by dedicated zoo keepers.

Staff at Living Coasts, Torquay’s coastal zoo and aquarium, have been feeding the chick every 3 hours from 7.30 in the morning to 7.30 at night. The only...

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...

Ruff play at Living Coasts

Unassuming in the winter, male ruffs transform in the Spring with eye-catching plumage - and it's all for the benefit of the females...

Keepers at Torquay’s coastal zoo are preparing the ground for some fierce competition. They are cutting the grass and clearing undergrowth so that one species of bird can indulge in its extraordinary mating ritual.

The ruff (Calidris...

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...

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