Shaldon Zoo
{{Short description|Zoo in Shaldon, Devon}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox zoo
|zoo_name = Shaldon Zoo Wildlife Trust
|logo = Shaldon_Zoo.png
|logo_width = 150
|image =
|image_caption =
|location = Shaldon, Devon, England
|date_opened = 1963
|date_closed =
|coordinates = {{Coord|50|32|12|N|3|29|56|W|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}}
|area = {{Convert|1|acre}}
|num_species =
|num_animals =
|largest_tank_vol =
|total_tank_vol =
|annual_visitors =
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|website = [https://www.shaldonwildlifetrust.org.uk/ shaldonwildlifetrust.org.uk]
}}
Shaldon Zoo also known as Shaldon Wildlife Trust is a conservation centre in Shaldon, Devon. Set in an acre of woodland above the village near to the coastline, they look after and help preserve some of the rarest and most endangered animals in the world, with a focus on small primates.{{cite web|title=Shaldon Wildlife Trust|url=https://www.shaldon-devon.co.uk/Shaldon-Wildlife-Trust|website=shaldon-devon.co.uk|accessdate=17 March 2025}}
The zoo is a member of BIAZA, the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums{{cite web|title=Shaldon Wildlife Trust|url=https://biaza.org.uk/members/detail/shaldon-wildlife-trust|website=biaza.org.uk|accessdate=16 March 2025}}
and also a member of EAZA, the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria.{{cite web|title=EAZA Members|url=https://www.eaza.net/membership/?|website=eaza.net|accessdate=16 March 2025}}
History
The zoo started out as a children's zoo in 1963, before becoming the Shaldon Wildlife Trust in 1985, for the conservation of small endangered species.{{cite web|url= https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/01887344/filing-history?page=6|title= SHALDON WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED filing history - Find and update company information - GOV.UK|website=gov.uk|accessdate=15 March 2025}}
Despite its small size, Shaldon Zoo has proven itself to be highly regarded globally for its conservation work and breeding programmes. In 2024, founder of the Trust, Stewart Muir, received a lifetime achievement award from EAZA.{{cite news|author=Laura White|date=16 October 2024|title= Shaldon Wildlife Trust founder honoured with prestigious Zoo Award|url= https://www.themoorlander.co.uk/news/home/1631435/shaldon-wildlife-trust-founder-honoured-with-prestigious-zoo-award.html|newspaper=The Moorlander|accessdate=16 March 2025}}
Animal overview
Shaldon Zoo cares for over 50 species of mammals, birds and reptiles. Many of the animals are part of managed breeding programmes. The zoo is also home to many rare species including Pygmy slow lorises, Owston's palm civets, Lemur leaf frogs, Bali mynas and Blue-eyed black lemurs.
=Mammals=
File:Shaldon Zoo (7333).jpg at Shaldon Zoo]]
The zoo focuses mainly on primates including the Red-titi monkeys, Ring tailed lemurs, Yellow-breasted capuchins, Grey slender lorises, Common squirrel monkeys, Cotton-top tamarins, Grey mouse lemurs, Pied tamarins, Pygmy marmosets, Red-bellied lemurs and Red-ruffed lemurs.{{cite web |title=PRIMATES |url=https://www.shaldonwildlifetrust.org.uk/primates2 |website=Shaldon Zoo |access-date=9 April 2025}}
Other mammals include Margays, Meerkats, Azara's agoutis, Binturongs, Southern three-banded armadillos, Prevost's squirrels and Brush-tailed bettongs.{{cite web |title=MAMMALS |url=https://www.shaldonwildlifetrust.org.uk/mammals |website=Shaldon Zoo |access-date=9 April 2025}}
=Birds=
File:Shaldon Zoo (7420).jpg at Shaldon Zoo]]
The zoo's collection of birds includes Black-cheeked lovebirds, Northern white-faced owls and Blue-throated conures.{{cite web |title=BIRDS |url=https://www.shaldonwildlifetrust.org.uk/birds |website=Shaldon Zoo |access-date=9 April 2025}}
=Reptiles & Amphibians=
Conservation
Shaldon Zoo currently has conservation programmes for the Blue-eyed black lemur, Pygmy slow loris, Owston's palm civet, Cotton-top tamarin and Pied tamarin.{{cite web|title=Conservation - Shaldon Zoo|url= https://www.shaldonwildlifetrust.org.uk/conservation|website=shaldonwildlifetrust.org.uk|accessdate=16 March 2025}}
For over 20 years, Shaldon Zoo has been working to protect the Owston's palm civet, working closely with a Vietnamese charity Save Vietnam's Wildlife on conservation and breeding. The zoo is one of only 3 outside Asia that house them.{{cite news|author=Julian Barnes|date=26 December 2023|title=Shaldon Zoo heads up conservation efforts of mysterious animal|url=https://www.middevonadvertiser.co.uk/news/shaldon-zoo-heads-up-conservation-efforts-of-mysterious-animal-657044|newspaper=Mid Devon Advertiser|accessdate=16 March 2025}}
In 2017, the zoo successfully bred critically endangered Lemur leaf frogs, usually native to South America.{{cite news|author=|date=23 March 2017|title= Critically Endangered Lemur leaf frog breeding success|url= https://www.bbpmedia.co.uk/news/agriculture-environment/critically-endangered-lemur-leaf-frog-breeding-success.html|website=BBP Media|accessdate=16 March 2025}} Later that year, the zoo was the first in the world to keep three breeding pairs of the endangered Pygmy slow loris.{{cite news|author=Zoe Stevens|date=6 October 2017|title=Devon zoo is world's first in keeping three breeding pairs of slow loris|url=https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/devon-zoo-worlds-first-keeping-590888.amp|website=Devon Live|accessdate=16 March 2025}}
In January 2025, Shaldon Zoo welcomed a healthy female Margay kitten, born on site, which is a significant step in efforts to conserve this elusive wild cat species.{{cite web|url=https://biaza.org.uk/news/detail/a-purrfect-arrival-shaldon-wildlife-trust-welcomes-a-rare-margay-baby|title=A Purrfect Arrival: Shaldon Wildlife Trust Welcomes a Rare Margay Baby|date=10 January 2025|website=biaza.org.uk|accessdate=16 March 2025}}
Education
Shaldon Zoo aims to increase knowledge and understanding of animal conservation and the vital work being done to protect some of the most vulnerable animals. They achieve this through animal interactions, educational talks and opportunities for volunteers and students to gain experience.{{cite web|title=Education - Shaldon Zoo|url= https://www.shaldonwildlifetrust.org.uk/education|website=shaldonwildlifetrust.org.uk|accessdate=16 March 2025}}
Incidents
In 2004, Shaldon Zoo was targeted in two separate raids resulting in the theft of 16 rare primates including marmosets, tamarins and squirrel monkeys.{{cite news|author=|title= BBC NEWS {{!}} England {{!}} Devon {{!}} Interpol in monkey thieves hunt|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/3756782.stm|date=19 October 2004|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=17 March 2025}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{Official website|shaldonwildlifetrust.org.uk}}
- {{Facebook|ShaldonZoo}}
{{British zoos}}
Category:Zoos established in the 1960s
Category:Tourist attractions in Devon