Shaldon Zoo

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Shaldon Zoo Wildlife Trust
Shaldon Zoo.png
Shaldon Zoo
50°32′12″N3°29′56″W / 50.53667°N 3.49889°W / 50.53667; -3.49889
Date opened1963
Location Shaldon, Devon, England
Land area1 acre (0.40 ha)
Memberships BIAZA [1]
EAZA [2]
Website 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. [3]

Contents

The zoo is a member of BIAZA, the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums [1] and also a member of EAZA, the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria. [2]

History

The zoo started out as a children's zoo in the 1963, before becoming the Shaldon Wildlife Trust in 1985, for the conservation of small endangered species. [4] 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. [5]

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 loris, Owston's palm civet, Lemur leaf frog, Bali myna and Blue-eyed black lemur.

Mammals

Red-titi monkey at Shaldon Zoo Shaldon Zoo (7333).jpg
Red-titi monkey at Shaldon Zoo

The zoo focuses mainly on primates including the Red-titi monkey, Ring tailed lemur, Yellow-breasted capuchin, Grey slender loris, Common squirrel monkey, Cotton-top tamarin, Grey mouse lemur, Pied tamarin, Pygmy marmoset, Red-bellied lemur and Red-ruffed lemur.

Other mammals include Margay, Meerkats, Azara's agouti, Binturong, Southern three-banded armadillo, Prevost's squirrel and Brush-tailed bettong.

Birds

Blue-throated conure at Shaldon Zoo Shaldon Zoo (7420).jpg
Blue-throated conure at Shaldon Zoo

The zoo's collection of birds includes Black-cheeked lovebird, Northern white-faced owl and Blue-throated conure.

Reptiles & Amphibians

The zoo is home to the Yellow-footed tortoise, Blue poison dart frog, Yellow-headed day gecko, Golden mantella and Phantasmal poison frog among other species.

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. [6]

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. [7]

In 2017, the zoo successfully bred critically endangered Lemur leaf frogs, usually native to South America. [8] Later that year, the zoo was the first in the world to keep three breeding pairs of the endangered Pygmy slow loris. [9]

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. [10]

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. [11]

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. [12]

References

  1. 1 2 "Shaldon Wildlife Trust". biaza.org.uk. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  2. 1 2 "EAZA Members". eaza.net. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  3. ↑ "Shaldon Wildlife Trust". shaldon-devon.co.uk. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
  4. ↑ "SHALDON WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED filing history - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". gov.uk. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
  5. ↑ Laura White (16 October 2024). "Shaldon Wildlife Trust founder honoured with prestigious Zoo Award". The Moorlander. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  6. ↑ "Conservation - Shaldon Zoo". shaldonwildlifetrust.org.uk. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  7. ↑ Julian Barnes (26 December 2023). "Shaldon Zoo heads up conservation efforts of mysterious animal". Mid Devon Advertiser. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  8. ↑ "Critically Endangered Lemur leaf frog breeding success". BBP Media. 23 March 2017. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  9. ↑ Zoe Stevens (6 October 2017). "Devon zoo is world's first in keeping three breeding pairs of slow loris". Devon Live. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  10. ↑ "A Purrfect Arrival: Shaldon Wildlife Trust Welcomes a Rare Margay Baby". biaza.org.uk. 10 January 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  11. ↑ "Education - Shaldon Zoo". shaldonwildlifetrust.org.uk. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  12. ↑ "BBC NEWS | England | Devon | Interpol in monkey thieves hunt". BBC News. 19 October 2004. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
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