Living Coasts

Fish and chicks at Living Coasts

An African penguin chick has been nursed back to health with fish soup by dedicated zoo keepers. The decision to remove the chick from its parents was taken when keepers saw signs of illness and a lack of appetite.

Since then, 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 thing...

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....

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...

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...

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...

A pre-Spring Clean at Living Coasts

Zoo keepers have been digging in at Living Coasts in Torquay to make sure everything is just right for the birds. They had to shift tonnes of sand and soil in the coastal zoo’s estuary area and clear vegetation in an annual pre-Spring Clean.

The zoo’s estuary exhibit is home to pied avocet, oystercatcher, redshank, ruff and black-necked stilt – though you might be forgiven for thinking...

Zoos offer moments for seniors

March is over-60s month at two top Devon zoos. The charity attractions are holding special days for older people.

At Living Coasts, Torquay’s coastal zoo, the day of the week to make a note of is Wednesday. At Paignton Zoo Environmental Park, the special day is Thursday. Paignton Zoo and Living Coasts are both part of the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, the charity which also runs...

UK’s leading zoos visit Dartmoor Zoo to develop new gold-standard guidance for health and safety

Dartmoor Zoo, the family attraction on the fringes of Dartmoor National Park – renowned for its international conservation and education programmes – has played host to representatives from the UK’s leading zoos at a special Working Group to develop new ‘gold-standard’ health and safety guidance for zoos and wildlife parks across the UK.

Under the auspices of the British and Irish...

Is it a bird, is it a ‘plane…?

No, it’s an otter! Olly the Otter, the world’s newest superhero, is one of the attractions at Living Coasts this half term. 2016 is the year of Super Sea Heroes at Torquay’s coastal zoo. Staff and visitors will be celebrating with a variety of activities that include crafts, talks and a superhero trail.

Children will be able to create their own superhero mask, design their own Super...

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