Paignton Zoo

Paignton Zoo stands on 80 acres of landscaped grounds in Paignton, Devon. It began in 1923 as Primley Zoological Gardens, created by Herbert Whitley from his private collection at Primley House. After Whitley’s death in 1955 the zoo passed into a charitable trust that later became the Wild Planet Trust. Today it is run by the Dutch company Libéma and belongs to leading zoo associations in Britain, Europe and worldwide. The site blends animal exhibits with botanical gardens, reflecting Whitley’s dual passions. The zoo keeps about 1,876 animals of nearly 189 species, including eleven critically endangered ones such as Sumatran tigers and western lowland gorillas. It holds international studbooks for species like the Sulawesi crested macaque and the Southern cassowary. Breeding successes include the first hand-rearing of a pink pigeon squab in 2024 and the only European cassowary birth in 2025. Notable residents also feature northern brown kiwis and short-beaked echidnas, unique to the UK collection. Visitors walk through habitats arranged to mimic natural environments. Gibbons live on an island in the main lake, visible from many paths. Seasonal planting highlights spring magnolias, tropical hibiscus and autumn Japanese maples. The horticulture team grows browse for animals, using sustainable methods such as a former vertical farm. Greenhouses display rare plants like titan arum and giant water lilies, while conservation work supports endangered species both in the zoo and beyond.