A rare South Devon Bird has been rescued from the brink of extinction following an EU-funded recovery programme. The cirl bunting, native to South Devon, almost died out 25 years ago having falling to just over 100 pairs in 1989 due to the lack of food and nesting sites. Now following an extensive recovery programme to protect their environments bankrolled by the European Rural Development stewardship fund numbers are making a steady return with just under 1000 pairs estimated to live in the South Devon area. Local Devon Euro-MP Sir Graham Watson has hailed efforts to save the cirl bunting...
A Devon conservation charity has found a rare African frog after a painstaking search lasting three years.
The Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, which runs Paignton Zoo, Living Coasts in Torquay and Newquay Zoo in Cornwall, carries out fieldwork with rare amphibians in the mountains of Eastern Tanzania.
The work is funded by zoo visitors and supporters and carried out with the charity’s partners, Manchester Metropolitan University and Museo delle Scienze, Trento, Italy.
The two Kihanga reed frogs – one male and one female – were found and photographed by Elena...
A Devon zoo is the best in Europe for breeding some key species. And it’s partly down to its location – in Torquay.
Living Coasts is the best among top animal collections for breeding species such as African penguins, blue spotted stingrays and Inca terns. Its coastal position is one of the keys to its success.
Clare Rugg, the Living Coasts Operations Manager, explains: “The site is close to a source of clean, cool seawater, so we don’t have to make our own saltwater. Also, the fresh sea breezes help to counter aspergillosis, a common respiratory problem, as well as avian...
Babbacombe Model Village is hosting a popularity contest – for small gorillas.
It’s all part of Paignton Zoo’s Great Gorillas Project. More than 20 gorilla models designed and created by schools from across the region will gather at the Model Village over half term.
Visitors will be able to vote for their favourite. The winning school will receive free visits to both Paignton Zoo and Babbacombe Model Village. Children will be allowed to vote for their own gorilla.
The model gorillas will be displayed in two locations – under the terrace in the 4D waiting area and in...
A Caravan Park in East Devon has won awards for its conservation work for a 17th year running. The Oakdown Touring and Holiday Caravan Park run by the Franks family runs a number of environmental initives to keep the park friendly to the environment Recently they installed top of the range solor panels and a lighting system in the which reduces energy use by 90%. Oakdown won one of the first Professor David Bellamy conservation awards in 1997 and has maintained this award ever since. The Bellamy Awards judge holiday parks on their efforts to protect and enhance the natural environment,...
Children at a hospice in Devon are proud that their hand-painted gorilla shares his name with the royal baby.
The gorilla, part of Paignton Zoo’s Great Gorillas Project, was created by children at Children’s Hospice South West and named George.
Naomi Dymond, from Children’s Hospice South West, said: “Kate has an affiliation with the hospice movement, but we never thought she’d name her baby after our gorilla!” The Duchess of Cambridge visited a hospice in Hampshire as part of Children’s Hospice Week 2013.
“We are extremely honoured that our little gorilla shares his...
As the summer draws to a close our rangers in East Devon are starting to plan the practical habitat management tasks for nature conservation over the winter, including hedge-laying, scrub clearance and coppicing.
They are looking for people to join their team of volunteers who carry out this work. No experience is necessary as full training will be given and all tools are provided. A love for the countryside and ability to work outdoors, sometimes in the rain, is all they ask for.
From October until the end of March there is the opportunity for people to come and volunteer...
Animal staff at a Devon zoo and aquarium have been tackling a tricky task – micro-chipping venomous stingrays.
So how do you work with patients that are wet, slippery and have venomous tails? Zoo vet Catherine Bergzoll: “We had a team including vets, vet nurses, keepers and volunteers. We caught one ray at a time and placed it in a tub with anaesthetic dissolved in the water. The sedation meant that the rays were calm, making the procedure less stressful for them and safer and easier for us.”
Once the ray was sedated it was transferred onto a wet mat. “One keeper wearing...
Whodunnit? With the Agatha Christie Festival in full swing, the question is – who created the Poirot gorilla that’s been wowing shoppers in Torquay this summer?
This time it wasn’t the butler – it was the students of South Devon College.
They created a remarkable gorilla version of Agatha Christie's famous detective, Hercule Poirot, as part of Paignton Zoo’s Great Gorillas Project.
Celebrating the 90th birthday of Paignton Zoo, the project has put life-size model gorillas, sponsored by businesses and community groups and painted in original designs by specially...
One local family has tracked down the full set of Great Gorillas – entirely by bus.
Lucy Sambell, from Exeter, her 13-year-old son Zachary and their two chocolate Labradors, father and son Murphy and Dooley, took two days to complete the free public art marathon.
The Great Gorillas Project is celebrating the 90th birthday of Paignton Zoo with 30 life-size model gorillas, sponsored by businesses and painted in original designs by specially-commissioned artists, placed around the streets and public spaces of Exeter and the English Riviera.
