UK News

The Best Group Activity Days Out Across England for Thrill-Seekers

When it comes to planning a group day out in England, the best experiences are the ones that combine adrenaline, teamwork, and a bit of friendly competition. Whether it’s a stag or hen do, a corporate team-building event, or just a group of friends looking for something different, thrill-seeking activities have become one of the most popular ways to spend a day together.

Across the country, there’s no shortage of options that push people out of their comfort zones in the best possible way—from fast-paced outdoor challenges to immersive action-packed games that test communication...

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The vital search for conservation evidence

It sounds like the latest police drama – the Zoo Evidence Officer is on the case, searching for clues, combing through paperwork and tracking down the truth.

In fact, the new post, based at Paignton Zoo in Devon, is about detecting science-based evidence for the best ways to care for, manage and breed animals in zoological collections for conservation purposes.

Wild Planet Trust, the charity that runs Paignton Zoo, Living Coasts in Torquay and Newquay Zoo in Cornwall, has been awarded a grant to recruit a post-doctoral researcher for a year. The Trust’s Field Conservation...

Home is where the bugs are...

Jammy has just moved into her new home and is a little unsure of her surroundings. Right now she’s doing what she always does when she lacks confidence - she’s covering her face and hoping it will all go away. It’s an endearing trait – and not one you’d expect to find in a red-kneed tarantula spider…

Just in time for Halloween, the small but fascinating invertebrate house at Paignton Zoo has been reimagined around the simple idea of home. You might not think you have anything in common with a tarantula – but everyone needs a home.

The zoo’s Head of Education Steve Nash: “...

Zoo shells out for giant tortoise physio

We often reach for a heat pack to ease aches and pains, with maybe a bit of a massage if we’re lucky. This is exactly the treatment 35-year-old Sophie is getting right now. The only difference is – she’s a giant tortoise.

Paignton Zoo’s Aldabra giant tortoise Sophie weighs 106 kilos, 233 pounds or 16 stones. She’s one of six confiscated by Customs from an illegal importation and handed to Paignton Zoo for safe keeping in 1986. Individuals can live for 200 years. She could be the first giant tortoise ever to receive this sort of treatment.

Paignton Zoo Head Vet Ghislaine...

Tiger moves at a snail's pace

This tiger snail at Paignton Zoo weighs around 500 grams – equivalent to 50 garden snails. Individuals can live for ten years.

You may not want to see this specimen in your garden, but Paignton Zoo keeper Lauren Lane is besotted with these amazing creatures – and has nick-named this individual Sausage…

Aaron Deakins To star in "The Revelations "

Actor Aaron Deakins will be starring in the Independent feature film "the revelations " filming across the south west.

Directed by Adam Nancholas in his directorial debut.

His role on the film is said to be a detective sent in to stop a leader of a cult only to find something more horrific going on in the encampment.

Filming begins in november and will consist of a large cast including a large casting call for extras were held in the south west recently.

From teasers online Aaron is seen to be playing a damaged man who must fight to end the horror before him...

Secretary of State Visits Exeter College to Talk T Levels

The Secretary of State for Education Gavin Williamson MP visited Exeter College to learn more about the impact new T Level qualifications will have on the region’s learners.

As a government-selected ‘early adopter’ of the new technical-based qualification, Exeter College is the only provider in Devon offering T Levels for 2020 delivery, with courses initially available in Construction, Digital and Education and Childcare. Further T Level courses will launch from 2021 as part of a national roll out.

T Levels mark a revolution in technical education in the UK as the...

Tickets to be launched for sell-out ideas festival

Organisers of TEDxExeter, the South West’s leading ideas festival, have announced that tickets for TEDxExeter 2020 are soon to be released for sale. The 9th annual TEDxExeter event will take place on Friday 17 April 2020 at Exeter’s Northcott Theatre and will be simultaneously livestreamed to venues across the city and beyond.

Tickets, which usually sell out in minutes, will be released at 10am on Friday 29th November 2019 via Eventbrite. For those wishing to beat the queues, a limited number of VIP tickets will be available from 10am on Wednesday 27th November.

Claire...

New vet scholarship aids wild orang utans

Two vets from Indonesia are the first to benefit from a unique new scholarship programme run by a Cornish vet charity. OVAID – Orang utan Veterinary Aid – is run by Nigel and Sara Hicks, based in Launceston. They help hard-pressed orang utan rescue centres and sanctuaries with veterinary support and donations of equipment.

The new OVAID Bronwyn Scholarship meant that two South East Asian vets were able to make the 12,000 kilometre (7,500 mile) journey to the UK to exchange techniques and information on the care and welfare of orang utans.

During their stay they spent a week...

Trust announces star patrons

A major South West conservation charity has announced its patrons. Both are star names regionally and nationally.

Naturalist Nick Baker and broadcaster Judi Spiers have been unveiled as patrons of Wild Planet Trust, the charity that runs Paignton Zoo, Living Coasts in Torquay and Newquay Zoo in Cornwall.

These are the first patrons that the Trust, previously known as Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, has ever had. Executive Director Simon Tonge said: “We are very proud to announce Nick and Judi as patrons of Wild Planet Trust. We’re extremely grateful for their support...

In the pink: scarlet birds have red letter day

One of the most striking birds in the world has bred at Paignton Zoo. The scarlet ibis (Eudocimus ruber) is famous for its bright red feathers – although, as you can see, the chicks are anything but scarlet.

There’s no other wading bird as scarlet as a scarlet ibis, but it takes time for juveniles to grow into the colour. It’s not until their second moult that the birds begin to take on that extraordinary rosy sheen. It can take two years or more for the dazzling change to be completed; the colour comes from the red crustaceans in their diet.

Keepers don’t want to disturb...

UK News

The Best Group Activity Days Out Across England for Thrill-Seekers

The vital search for conservation evidence

Home is where the bugs are...

Zoo shells out for giant tortoise physio

Tiger moves at a snail's pace

Aaron Deakins To star in "The Revelations "

Secretary of State Visits Exeter College to Talk T Levels

Tickets to be launched for sell-out ideas festival

New vet scholarship aids wild orang utans

Trust announces star patrons

In the pink: scarlet birds have red letter day

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