The three South West zoos run by regional conservation charity Wild Planet Trust have a defiant message for coronavirus: “It’s business as usual”.
Staff and volunteers are prepared for the impact of coronavirus, but at this time the charity zoos remain open. Zoo spokesperson Phil Knowling said: “We’re monitoring the situation closely and will naturally continue to follow the advice of...
Two ne-ne have hatched at Paignton Zoo in Devon. But what-what is a ne-ne?
It’s a species of goose - one of the rarest in the world. Found on the Hawaiian Islands, the Hawaiian goose or ne-ne is named after its call, a soft neh-neh sound.
It’s officially classed as Vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Paignton Zoo is home to eight adult ne-ne as...
Keepers at Living Coasts, Torquay’s coastal zoo, had to do a double-take recently when they discovered that European common lobster Homer had moulted for the first time in two years.
Aquarist Sam Worthington was particularly pleased, as it was the first time he’d moulted in her time at the charity zoo: “This exoskeleton is almost perfect - right down to the antennae and the eyes....
To celebrate International Polar Bear Day today (27 February), Hayes & Jarvis has compiled some of the world's favourite bears according to Instagram posts and matched them with the perfect trip to see the furry favourite in its native environment.
Whether it's Winnie the Pooh or Rupert, a dancing grizzly bear dancing in a viral video or a childhood cuddly toy, everyone has a...
Winter is a tough time for wild birds but as spring approaches and the weather becomes warmer, we should expect to hear more tweeting in our gardens.
One of the UK’s leading home and garden retailers, wilko, is inviting you to share your best wild bird photos in its annual competition to capture the best of our feathered friends.
Paignton Zoo in Devon has hatched three very special – and very beautiful - youngsters. Keepers are hand rearing a trio of Chinese crocodile lizards. In 2018, Paignton Zoo became the first major zoological collection in the UK to breed this species.
You may not be familiar with the Chinese crocodile lizard. It’s not surprising; this small, semiaquatic lizard is found only in the...
Recommendations for access changes on East Devon’s Pebblebed Heaths, also known as Woodbury Common, were given the seal of approval by the South East Devon Habitat Regulations Executive Committee (SEDHREC) this week.
Following the publication of an advisory report commissioned by East Devon Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust (EDPHCT) and SEDHREC, a public consultation was held...
The Devon branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE Devon) is seeking Devon’s Best Churchyard of 2020 and is inviting churches of all denominations to enter the competition by the end of March.
“Devon has hundreds of churchyards and they are beautiful places,” says Penny Mills, Director of CPRE Devon. “That’s why we believe in celebrating them and celebrating the people...
Wild Planet Trust is the Devon-based charity that runs Paignton Zoo, Living Coasts in Torquay and Newquay Zoo in Cornwall, plus several nature reserves in Devon. While 2019 was not a great year for the charity, there are, says Trust boss Simon Tonge, some reasons for optimism:
“Last year was not the best for visitor numbers, though we still saw 700,000 people come to our three zoo...
This is an Nguru spiny pygmy chameleon. It’s just a few centimetres long. What could it possibly have in common with a black rhino? The answer is – Wild Planet Trust. The charity behind Paignton Zoo, Living Coasts and Newquay Zoo carries out conservation work in Tanzania, home to both species.
This minute chameleon - a species new to Paignton Zoo and sadly not yet on show to guests –...
