Workwill begin on an ambitious new development at Paignton Zoo this year, which will incude the start of phase one of the new Savannah area.
The zoo is run by The Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust.The charity, whichalso runsLiving Coasts in Torquay and Newquay Zoo in Cornwall, is preparingfor a 'cautious and controlled 2017'.Executive Director Simon Tonge said there will also be a new exhibit at Newquay Zoo and refurbishments at Living Coasts. The first phase of work on the new Savannah area at Paignton Zoo willstart in autumn 2017.
Savannahat Paignton Zoo
Other developments at Paignton Zoo this year will include new habitatsfor the Zoo's gibbons and lemurs, new boilers in the Ape Centre and a new ultrasound machine for the vetteam.
On theSavannah project, the Paignton Zoo is currently working on the detailed design of the public areas withKay Elliott Architects, a Torquay-based architecture firm. The company designed Living Coasts, Monkey Heights and Crocodile for the zoo.
Mr Tonge said the trust will keep an eye onthe political and economic situation in Zimbabwe.This is because the Zoo has a conservation partnership with the country's Dambari Wildlife Trust.
The trusthas conservative estimates for total visitor numbers for 2017. They project 129, 000 at Living Coasts and 448, 000 at Paignton Zoo. Both figures are a slight decrease on last year's numbers.
Image: Sumatran Tigerat Paignton Zoo, Nilfanion CC.
David Rosenberg, Vice President of Guest Experience
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