Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo

Last updated • 5 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo
Folly-Farm-Logo.png
Giraffe-feeding.jpg
Giraffe Feeding at Folly Farm
Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo
51°44′38″N4°43′58″W / 51.74382150°N 4.73283290°W / 51.74382150; -4.73283290
SloganEveryone in the family likes to do different things, pick your own adventure at Folly Farm - Zoo, Farm, Play and Fairground
Date opened17 July 1988
Location Pembrokeshire, Wales
Land area120 acres
No. of animals750+
No. of species100+
Annual visitors500,000
MembershipsBIAZA (British & Irish Association of Zoos and Aquaria)
Major exhibitsPride of Pembrokeshire, Penguin Coast, Kifaru Reserve, Asian Adventure
OwnerAnne Williams, Karina Ebsworth and Chris Ebsworth
Website https://www.folly-farm.co.uk

The Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo (also known as Folly Farm), situated to the north of Saundersfoot and Tenby in Pembrokeshire, is a visitor attraction in Wales with around 500,000 visits each year. Initially a farm attraction, the park is now also home to an indoor vintage funfair, a zoo with over 200 different species of animal and extensive indoor and outdoor adventure play areas.

Contents

The original farm has expanded and now covers a significant part of the park including a large undercover Jolly Barn area featuring horses, goats, sheep, pigs and smaller petting animals. Folly Farm is made up of four areas, including a farmyard, a zoo, and an undercover vintage funfair with a Wurlitzer organ. [1] The park has expanded to the other side of the A478 road, where more animals can be found in outdoor paddocks. A tractor-driven land-train ride, touring the outdoor paddocks, operates between late morning and mid-afternoon.

A limited company, Folly Farm is owned and operated by the Williams and Ebsworth families and holds Investors in People status with 90 full-time employees and 100 seasonal members of staff.

History

Folly Farm started as a dairy farm. After noticing families were stopping by the roadside to pet and watch their cattle, the farmer Glyndŵr Williams and his wife Anne decided to diversify into tourism. [2] In 1988, the dairy farm was converted to receive visitors; now guests could stop to visit the Folly Farm cows and see them being milked. Over the last 25 years Folly Farm has grown with continued reinvestment. The first zoo animals arrived at the park in 2002. [3]

Winner of the Wales Tourist Board's 2005 Best Day Out in Wales award, and again in 2010, and in 2015. [4] In 2009, winner of Pembrokeshire Tourism's Best Family Day Out award. Folly Farm was named 10th best zoo in the world in the 2017 Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Awards. [5]

Folly Farm's giraffe Giraffe, Folly Farm.jpg
Folly Farm's giraffe

The founder Glyndŵr Williams was born in 1944 in Haverfordwest and his parents George and Margaret moved to Folly Farm when he was two years of age. He died on 18 February 2020 following a long illness.

Animals

The zoo animal collection includes:

Projects

The zoo is a member of European Association of Zoos and Aquaria and British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums taking part in a European breeding program for eastern black rhinos, which are listed as critically endangered animals according to the IUCN Red List. [6]

Areas and attractions

Pride of Pembrokeshire

Opened in 2014 the Pride of Pembrokeshire lion reserve won a silver award for Best Enclosure Design at the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) Annual Zoo Awards in 2015.

The lion enclosure houses Folly Farm's African lions, including Hugo and his mate Luna and their five fully grown children. Hugo was born at Knowsley Safari Park in Merseyside, and Luna was born at Blackpool Zoo. Their four cubs were born at Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire, on 14 September 2013.

Penguin Coast

In 2013, Folly Farm added Penguin Coast, a state-of-the-art saltwater penguin enclosure which was the setting for an unusual proposal of marriage. [7]

Penguin Coast was opened in 2013 by Edwina Hart, Minister Minister for Economy, Science and Transport and assisted by local school children from Tavernspite Primary School, who were invited to be the first children in Wales to meet the new penguins. [8]

Penguin Coast is home to a group of 24 Peruvian Humboldt Penguins and 12 Macaroni Penguins that originated from Torquay's Living Coasts, [9] and who had been made homeless by the closure of their Devon zoo, making it the only home to the vulnerable species population in the UK. [10]

Kifaru Reserve

Kifaru Reserve opened in 2015 to provide a breeding facility for eastern black rhino, as part of its membership of 14 European Endangered Species Breeding Programmes (EEPs). [11]   The enclosure is five and a half acres in size with a purpose-built paddock and a bespoke rhino house including indoor facilities for rhino calves.  

Kifaru Reserve is a home to Manyara who joined Folly Farm from Chester Zoo in 2015 and Nkosi who joined from Port Lympne Reserve in Kent in October 2015.  Dakima joined the group in 2017.  In 2020 Dakima gave birth to Glyndwr in January 2020 - the first rhino to be born in Wales. [12]

Asian Adventure

The Asian Adventure enclosure opened in July 2019 [13] and houses endangered Asian Wild Dogs (dholes), white naped cranes, great white pelicans, red crested pochard, and a breeding pair of red pandas, Lotus and Baika.

Notable animals

Throughout its history the zoo has had many well known residents.

Nkosi (male) and Manyara (female) the critically endangered Eastern Black Rhinos that arrived at Folly Farm in 2015. [14]

Dakima (female) the third Eastern Black Rhino to arrive at the zoo in 2017.

Glyndŵr a critically endangered black rhino calf, born in 2020. [15] The first-ever baby rhino in Wales was named Glyndŵr after Folly Farm founder Glyn Williams. [16]

Tuppee and Blackcap the two-toed sloths that moved into their new 'retirement home' in 2021. [17]

Elvis and Prisclla, the pelicans that joined in 2020 and bred a couple of chicks within the year. [18]

Frank and Vinnie, the gay Macaroni penguins that have paired for life [19]

See also

Related Research Articles

The Saint Louis Zoo, officially known as the Saint Louis Zoological Park, is a zoo in Forest Park, St. Louis, Missouri. It is recognized as a leading zoo in animal management, research, conservation, and education. The zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Admission is free based on a public subsidy from a cultural tax district, the Metropolitan Zoological Park and Museum District (ZMD); fees are charged for some special attractions. A special feature is the 2 ft narrow-gauge Emerson Zooline Railroad with passenger trains pulled by Chance Rides C.P. Huntington locomotives that encircle the zoo, stopping at the more popular attractions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bristol Zoo</span> Zoo in Bristol, United Kingdom

Bristol Zoo was a zoo in the city of Bristol in South West England. The zoo's stated mission was to "maintain and defend" biodiversity through breeding endangered species, conserving threatened species and habitats and promoting a wider understanding of the natural world".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Singapore Zoo</span> Zoo situated in Mandai, Singapore

The Singapore Zoo, formerly known as the Singapore Zoological Gardens or Mandai Zoo, is a 28 hectares zoo located on the margins of Upper Seletar Reservoir within Singapore's heavily forested central catchment area. It is operated by the Mandai Wildlife Group, which also manages the neighbouring Night Safari, River Wonders, Bird Paradise as well as the forthcoming Rainforest Wild Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woodland Park Zoo</span> Zoo in Seattle, Washington, United States

Woodland Park Zoo is a wildlife conservation organization and zoological garden located in the Phinney Ridge neighborhood of Seattle, Washington, United States. The zoo is the recipient of over 65 awards across multiple categories. The zoo has around 900 animals from 250 species and the zoo has over 1 million visitors a year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whipsnade Zoo</span> Zoo near Dunstable in Bedfordshire, England

Whipsnade Zoo, formerly known as ZSL Whipsnade Zoo and Whipsnade Wild Animal Park, is a zoo and safari park located at Whipsnade, near Dunstable in Bedfordshire, England. It is one of two zoos that are owned by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), a charity devoted to the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Midlands Safari Park</span> Safari park in Worcestershire, England

West Midlands Safari Park is a safari park located in Bewdley in Worcestershire, England. It was opened under the name of West Midland Safari Park in Spring 1973.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Howletts Wild Animal Park</span> Zoo in Kent, England

Howletts Wild Animal Park in the parish of Bekesbourne, near Canterbury in Kent, was established as a private zoo in 1957 by John Aspinall. In 1962, the House known as Howletts was being restored. A small cottage was inhabited by an employee. The animal collection was opened to the public in 1975. To give more room for the animals another estate at Port Lympne near Hythe in Kent was purchased in 1973, and opened to the public as Port Lympne Zoo in 1976.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden</span> Zoo in Indiana, United States

The Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden is a zoo that opened in 1928 in Evansville, Indiana, United States. It is located in Mesker Park on Evansville's northwest side and is run by the City of Evansville.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Francisco Zoo</span> Zoo in San Francisco, California

The San Francisco Zoo is a 100-acre (40 ha) zoo located in the southwestern corner of San Francisco, California, between Lake Merced and the Pacific Ocean along the Great Highway. The SF Zoo is a public institution, managed by the non-profit San Francisco Zoological Society, a 501(c)(3) organization. under a public-private partnership since 1993, receives $4.2 million annually from the city. As of 2016, the zoo housed more than one thousand individual animals, representing more than 250 species. It is noted as the birthplace of Koko the gorilla, and, from 1974 to 2016, the home of Elly, the oldest black rhinoceros in North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blackpool Zoo</span> Zoo in Lancashire, England

Blackpool Zoo is a 32-acre (13 ha) zoo, owned by Parques Reunidos and located in the sea-side resort of Blackpool, Lancashire, England. It cares for over 1,000 animals from all over the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antwerp Zoo</span> Zoo in Antwerp, Belgium

Antwerp Zoo is a zoo in the centre of Antwerp, Belgium, located next to the Antwerpen-Centraal railway station. It is the oldest animal park in the country, and one of the oldest in the world, established on 21 July 1843.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little Rock Zoo</span> Zoo in Little Rock, Arkansas, United States

The Little Rock Zoo was founded in 1924 and is located in Little Rock, Arkansas, United States. It is home to more than 400 animals representing over 200 species, and covers an area of 33 acres (13 ha). The Arkansas Zoological Foundation is a private 501 c (3) organization that raises funds for zoo development. The Little Rock Zoo is a department of the city of Little Rock. It is the largest zoo in Arkansas, and the only Arkansas zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Noah's Ark Zoo Farm</span> Zoo and farm in England

Noah's Ark Zoo Farm is a 100-acre (40 ha) zoo developed on a working farm in Wraxall, North Somerset, 6 miles (9.7 km) west of Bristol, England. It is home to the largest elephant facility in northern Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edmonton Valley Zoo</span> Zoo in Alberta, Canada

The Edmonton Valley Zoo is a zoo located in Edmonton, Alberta's river valley. The Edmonton Valley Zoo is owned and operated by the City of Edmonton and is open 364 days a year, closing only on Christmas. The zoo is currently accredited by Canada's Accredited Zoos and Aquariums and is one of three accredited zoos in Alberta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woburn Safari Park</span> Safari park in Bedfordshire, England

Woburn Safari Park is a safari park located in Woburn, Bedfordshire, England. Visitors to the park can drive through exhibits, which contain species such as southern white rhino, elephants, tigers and black bears. It is part of the estates of the Duke of Bedford that also includes Woburn Abbey and its 3,000-acre (1,200 ha) deer park. The Safari Park itself covers 360 acres (150 ha).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Welsh Mountain Zoo</span> Zoo in Conwy County Borough, Wales

The Welsh Mountain Zoo is a zoological garden located near the town of Colwyn Bay in Conwy County Borough, Wales. The zoo was opened on 18 May 1963 by the enthusiastic naturist Robert Jackson. The zoo covers an area of 37 acres (15 ha).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cotswold Wildlife Park</span> Zoo in Oxfordshire, England

The Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens exhibits over 260 different species of animals. The park is set in 160 acres (0.65 km2) of landscaped parkland and gardens 2 miles south of Burford, on the A361, Oxfordshire, England. Around 350,000 people visited the park in 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metro Richmond Zoo</span> Zoo in Chesterfield County, Virginia

Metro Richmond Zoo is a privately owned, for-profit zoo in Chesterfield County, Virginia. It is located in the central Virginia area, off of U.S. Route 360, about 20 miles southwest of Richmond. Metro Richmond Zoo encompasses about 70 acres (28 ha) and houses around 2,000 animals representing over 190 species, including reticulated giraffe, white rhinoceros, snow leopard, cheetah and Grant's zebra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yorkshire Wildlife Park</span> Wildlife park in South Yorkshire, England

The Yorkshire Wildlife Park is a zoo, wildlife conservation and rehabilition centre and tourist attraction located in Branton, south-east of Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England. It opened in 2009 on the site of Brockholes Farm, a former riding school and petting zoo, and features 500 animals of 100 species. Yorkshire Wildlife Park is an official member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA).

Manor House Wildlife Park is a 52-acre (21 ha) zoo located in Pembrokeshire, Wales, just north of the village of St Florence. It was bought in 2008 by television presenter Anna Ryder Richardson and Colin MacDougall and is more recently known as Manor Wildlife Park.

References

  1. "Folly Farm Pembrokeshire, A look at the past". ridemad.com. 30 December 2006. Archived from the original on 16 February 2011. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
  2. "Folly Farm: Zoo's founder Glyndŵr Williams dies". BBC News. 27 February 2020. Archived from the original on 28 February 2020. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  3. "All the fun of the farm". South Wales Evening Post. 15 June 2013. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
  4. "County Scoops Top Accolades in National Tourism Awards". Western Telegraph. 25 October 2010. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  5. "Folly Farm named 10th best zoo in the world!". Tenby Observer. Retrieved 11 June 2018.[ permanent dead link ]
  6. Silk, Huw (17 February 2015). "Three critically endangered eastern black rhinos to move to Folly Farm". WalesOnline. Archived from the original on 11 June 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  7. "P-p-please will you marry me?". ITV Wales. 4 September 2013. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
  8. "Folly Farm's new penguin enclosure opens to the public". Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  9. "'Laid back' penguin family from Devon find a new home in Wales". Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  10. "Penguins pick up a new home in Pembrokeshire". Archived from the original on 18 November 2020. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  11. "New black rhino enclosure taking shape at Folly Farm". Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  12. "Critically Endangered Eastern Black Rhino born at Folly Farm". Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  13. "Folly Farm launches brand new 'Asian Adventure' attraction". Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  14. "Three critically endangered eastern black rhinos to move to Folly Farm in Pembrokeshire". Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  15. "Critically Endangered Eastern Black Rhino born at Folly Farm". Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  16. "The first-ever baby rhino in Wales is called Glyndŵr after Folly Farm founder Glyn Williams". Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  17. "Pensioner sloths settle into new retirement home at Pembrokeshire's Folly Farm". Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  18. "West Wales zoo Folly Farm sees lockdown animal baby boom". Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  19. "Folly Farm's macaroni penguins help mark Pride month". Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023.