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WildCats Conservation Alliance is an initiative of the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and Dreamworld Wildlife Foundation (DWF), calling for zoos and public alike to support wild tiger and Amur leopard conservation projects. Running since 2000, WildCats Conservation Alliance have mobilised over £4.8 million to support an incredible 103 monitoring, protection, conflict resolution, firefighting and awareness-raising projects.

David Gibson, Dartmoor Zoo CEO commented: “We are delighted to be able to donate funds to the WildCats Conservation Alliance to support their vital work in the field. They facilitate a number of in-situ projects all focused on the conservation of the Amur Leopard, the most endangered Big Cat in the World.

Working on the ground with local conservationists is by far the most effective way of conserving endangered species and WildCats Conservation Alliance and their host organisation, Zoological Society of London, are pioneers in this Community Led approach to conservation.

As participants in the EAZA Endangered Species Programme (EEP) for the conservation breeding of Amur Leopard we are fully committed to not only ensuring a genetically viable and diverse captive population of Amur Leopard but also supporting the conservation of this highly vulnerable, Critically Endangered, species of big cat in its home range.”

With an Amur tiger and two Amur leopards amongst the Dartmoor Zoo residents and a dedication to supporting global conservation, a portion of admission sales was donated to WildCats Conservation Alliance to support their ongoing work and begin a new and exciting partnership together.

Freddo, a male Amur leopard arrived at Dartmoor Zoo from Bellewaerde in Belgium in November 2023 and was joined by Lena, a female from Colchester Zoo in August 2024. The pair, as part of an EEP breeding programme, are due to be introduced shortly, after very positive interactions have been witnessed by the keeper team. With less than 100 Amur leopards left in the wild, we’re thrilled to support this incredible charity and hopefully see cubs at Dartmoor Zoo in the future.

Esther Conway, Project Manager at WildCats Conservation Alliance commented: “WildCats Conservation Alliance is thrilled to partner with Dartmoor Zoo in this mission to safeguard the Amur leopard in its natural habitat. Together with zoos around the globe, we’re joining forces to channel vital funds into carefully selected conservation projects that are driving real, transformative change for Amur leopards and their entire ecosystem. This united effort is proof that collaboration can make a world of difference.”

Dartmoor Zoo, with support from WildCats Conservation Alliance will be raising awareness and raising funds for these species on their respective, international days. International leopard Day will take place on Saturday 3rd May 2025 and International Tiger Day will take place on Tuesday 29th July 2025. To donate, you can gift a donation and support Dartmoor Zoo.

Following four charges in May 2024, Terrence Moore, Director of The Cat Survival Trust was found guilty of unnecessary harm to animals and was subsequently ordered to rehome the cats residing on site in Welwyn Garden City, alongside a ban preventing him from keeping any cats for a minimum of 5 years.

Working with Hertfordshire Zoo and The Big Cat Sanctuary who are currently housing 28 rescued cats whilst attempting to find them new homes, Dartmoor Zoo are proud to rehome Churchill, a serval cat, welcoming him to the site on Tuesday 21st January.

Cam Whitnall, Project Lead at The Big Cat Sanctuary commented: “Our mission is to find these cats the best possible forever homes. We only have weeks before the facility is closed for good, so we are working at speed to find them their forever homes. Unfortunately, not all will be able to be rehomed due to significant health issues, but we are committed to giving these beautiful creatures the care and dignity they deserve.”

James Cork, Head Keeper at Hertfordshire Zoo commented: “While we are dedicated to caring for these animals, our primary goal is to rehome them. In the meantime, we are focused on enhancing their quality of life by improving enclosure cleanliness, optimising their diets, and ensuring better weight management.”

Serval cats are listed at ‘least concern’ by the IUCN Red List, however, they still face a variety of threats including poaching, the illegal pet trade and habitat loss. Residing across the majority of Africa, excluding the Sahara Desert, servals prefer areas such as savannas and wetlands, where they have access to tall grasses and plenty of water. Often nicknamed as the ‘Giraffe cat’ due to their long neck and legs, the serval is very small and slender, with a tawny coat covered in black spot and stripe markings.

Dartmoor Zoo’s CEO David Gibson commented: “As soon as we found out about the situation at the Cat Survival Trust, we were very keen to see how we could help. We can’t praise the management and staff at Hertfordshire Zoo and the Big Cat Sanctuary enough for the commitment they have shown in stepping in and ensuring the welfare of the cats affected was prioritised.

We are delighted to be able to offer a new home for one of the animals and Churchill the male Serval will be a great addition to our collection. Once he has completed his quarantine he will be place into an outdoor enclosure where he will have plenty of space to display all his natural behaviours.

We’re also happy that we have managed to secure a companion for him. Churchill has very obviously had a very difficult life to date, and we are going to be working very hard to make sure that the rest of his natural life is rich, rewarding and stimulating. If anyone felt able to make a donation to help with Churchill’s continued care, we would be most grateful as it would help us preserve our precious financial resources for the conservation work we are already committed to.”

Churchill will remain in an off-show enclosure during his 30-day quarantine, giving him time to adjust to his new environment, enabling the keeper team to conduct welfare checks and monitor his behaviour during this time. A plan is then in place to move him into a spacious, outdoor enclosure with a female serval pairing from Port Lympne Zoo, a 9 ½ year old named Sabra. Further announcements will be made to the public when the pair will be available for viewing.

Turnaround for this project has been rapid, as Churchill’s welfare has been the top priority and ensuring we get him into a new and stable environment as soon as possible. Dartmoor Zoo would like to thank Hertfordshire Zoo and The Big Cat Sanctuary for their quick action and hard work during this time. If the public would like to donate towards Churchill’s continued care, they can gift a donation and support Dartmoor Zoo.

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Arriving from Colchester Zoo, Dartmoor Zoo were thrilled to welcome a new resident on Wednesday 14th August, a critically endangered Amur Leopard named Lena. At 4 years and 8 months of age, Lena has been chosen as a suitable breeding mate for Freddo and this much anticipated pairing has been in the works since Freddo’s arrival in November 2023.

Colchester Zoo’s Carnivore Lead Emma commented: “Lena Is a feisty female Amur leopard with a big personality and a lot of character. She can be a little stubborn at times. She’s very inquisitive, enjoying all types of enrichment especially spices and perfumes. She will be missed by us all on the Carnivore team at Colchester Zoo but I for one can’t wait to visit her at Dartmoor.”

Dartmoor Zoo’s CEO David Gibson commented: “The arrival of a female Amur Leopard, to hopefully breed with our resident male Freddo, is the latest in our continued development of the animal collection here at Dartmoor Zoo. One of the many essential roles that modern zoos perform is the Conservation Breeding of Critically Endangered species such as Amur Leopards. We are delighted to be able to play our part in the continued conservation of this iconic and charismatic species.”

Lena will be moving into an off-show habitat while she adjusts to the move and the team will be regularly monitoring her welfare during this time. Observations will also be carried out to assess Lena and Freddo’s interactions, whilst plans will be made to work towards an introduction in the future.

Senior Keeper Ashley Matthews commented: “We’re all very excited to welcome Lena to her new home. We’ve recently had a successful lynx introduction, resulting in two kits being born this May, so we’re thrilled at the possibility of another, hopefully successful introduction here at Dartmoor Zoo. Introductions can often take a while, and this is not something we want to rush. Our top priority will always be focussed on the welfare of both Freddo and Lena, so regular observations will be conducted, both individually and together, to see how they are adjusting and interacting during this time.”

Predominantly found in the border areas between Russia, North-East China and even North Korea, Amur Leopards gravitate towards densely forested areas, avoiding grasslands or overpopulated areas. Much of this area, however, is regularly under threat from unsustainable logging, forest fires, agriculture and industrial development.

With around 200 in captivity and 100 left in the wild, Amur Leopards are considered the rarest cat in the world, so Dartmoor Zoo are incredibly proud to host a breeding pair and continuing to contribute to global conservation efforts through research, education and hopefully soon, some Amur Leopard cubs!

Love is in the air at Dartmoor Zoo and the new couple on the scene are Carpathian Lynxes, Flaviu and Emily, otherwise known as ‘Flavily‘.

We are all delighted to see that Flaviu and Emily have successfully pair bonded.
Emily, a 7.5-year-old arrived late February 2024 from Karlsruhe Zoo in Germany where she was born in 2016.
Flaviu is just under 10 years old and was born at Port Lympne Wildlife Park in 2014, he has been a resident at Dartmoor Zoo since July 2016.

The pair have already been observed mutually grooming and mating and our first little of kittens from the pair could be born as early June.

Conservation breeding of this species is extremely important for the future success of the species as, in the wild, their populations have been in decline for many, many years.

Mixing two members of any apex predator is always a nerve-wracking business and the team here at Dartmoor Zoo spent a considerable amount of time carefully getting the pair used to each other’s scent and presence before they were successfully physically mixed on Tuesday the 19th March 2024.

All this preparation was worthwhile as the pair immediately bonded and have been inseparable ever since.

Make sure to view the magic of this new couple in person and get your Dartmoor Zoo tickets today!

Like many other places, Dartmoor Zoo are feeling the impact of the cost-of-living crisis with electricity bills reaching new highs of £72,000 and animal feed surpassing £60,000 for the year. This has led to the creation of Dartmoor Zoo’s ‘Give us an Hour’ fundraising campaign, where the ask is for an hour of your time, whether that is wages, volunteering or fundraising.

This campaign struck a chord with violinist, Niobe, who is taking centre stage on Saturday 2nd March, 2:30pm at Dartmoor Zoo and performing in front of Dragan, a spectacular Amur tiger. Niobe, who is just 10 years old, has a special place in her heart for animals and wants to use her musical talents to raise much needed funds for Dartmoor Zoo.

Niobe commented: “I absolutely love Big Cats! They’re so amazing and majestic with all different personalities. My favourite are cheetahs because they’re beautiful, fast, and graceful. I really hope I can help all of the big cats at Dartmoor Zoo by earning money for them with my music.”

Aimee, Niobe’s mum commented: “Niobe’s two favourite things are Big Cats and playing her violin. Although she’s only ten, I’m so proud of her commitment and effort to achieve this well-intentioned goal and I sincerely hope she gets the support needed to make a positive difference to the zoo.”

This practice session leads up to her full performance in Ashburton where Niobe will take to the streets and busk for an hour. Cash can be given on the day, but an online fundraising account also exists, where people can donate in support of Niobe’s talents and Dartmoor Zoo.

Fundraising Lead Vanessa Apicella commented: “I’m thrilled that Niobe has chosen Dartmoor Zoo’s ‘Give us an Hour’ appeal as the platform to showcase her talents! The support we’ve received has been extraordinary, and we eagerly anticipate her complete performance in Ashburton. I’ll definitely be there to cheer her on, and I hope you will join me in supporting her.”

To show Niobe support, you can see her performance in Ashburton, outside of the Arts Centre (West Street) on Saturday 30th March at 11am, so make sure to bring some change and cheer on this amazing young fundraiser in the making!

To support Niobe online, you can donate via her fundraising page!

Travelling from Karlsruhe Zoo in Germany, Emily, Flaviu’s new love interest, arrived at Dartmoor Zoo on Tuesday 27th February. At 7 years old, Emily has been selected as a compatible match for Flaviu within the European Breeding Programme.

Director of Karlsruhe Zoo Prof Dr Matthias Reinschmidt commented: “We are very pleased that a very nice place has been found for this lynx bred by us as part of the studbook.”

Initial observations and health checks have been conducted and Emily seems calm, in good spirits and is settling into her new home well. These observations will continue to monitor her overall wellbeing after the move, whilst also conducting introductions between the new pair.

Emily and Flaviu are Carpathian Lynx, a subspecies of Eurasian Lynx, the largest of all 4 species. The majority of this species can be found in Romania, Slovakia, Poland and Ukraine, whilst the population in Hungary, Serbia and Bulgaria is scattered.

The total number of lynxes in Europe (including Russia and Belarus) is estimated between 17 – 18000, with the Carpathian Lynx species responsible for approximately 2100 – 2400 of this population.

Lynx were once native to the UK, being hunted to extinction some 1,300 years ago. Their last stronghold is thought to have been the Scottish Highlands, although some more recent cultural references can be found from Welsh poetry as late as the 9th Century.

Lynx have been successfully reintroduced into the wild in Switzerland, Germany and Slovenia and there have been formal proposals to reintroduce Lynx into parts of the UK. Many feel that they are the most suitable large predator for reintroduction in the UK. Proponents argue that they would help to naturally control deer populations and, therefore, their reintroduction would help restore habitats, particularly forests which are currently being over-grazed by deer.

CEO David Gibson commented: “We are very excited about the arrival of Emily our new female Carpathian Lynx. Emily was born in Karlsruhe Zoo in Germany as part of the European Breeding programme for this species. She is a very beautiful cat with lovely markings, and it is wonderful to see how calm she is exploring her new home. We are hoping that she forms a breeding pair with our male Lynx, Flaviu. It’s a huge privilege for us at Dartmoor Zoo to be part of the European Lynx breeding programme. We’re extremely excited at the thought of possibly welcoming new kittens, and with your support, this can be just the beginning of many more programs we can embark on.”

Here’s How You Can Help: 

Support Wildlife Conservation: Your donations directly contribute to our conservation efforts and support breeding programmes, ensuring a future for species like Flaviu and Emily.

Raise Awareness: Help us spread the word by sharing this news. The more people who understand the importance of wildlife conservation as well as how international breeding programs can help, the bigger the impact we can make.

Learn and Visit: Come meet Flaviu and our new arrival Emily! Witness their beauty and learn about the importance of conservation efforts in ensuring the survival of their species and that of others across the world.

Dartmoor Zoo are pleased to announce that Malu, a Palawan Binturong that managed to escape his enclosure, has now been found and returned safely to Dartmoor Zoo. Binturongs are incredible creatures, as well as being great climbers, they famously smell of popcorn!

Initial keeper observations would indicate that Malu hasn’t suffered in any way from his time in the Devon countryside, but Malu is being held in his house within his enclosure temporarily until a full health check can be carried out by the vets. His house has been confirmed as secure and Malu has access to heat, food, water and is comfortable and secure.

Welcomed to the site on Wednesday 5th July 2023 from ‘Get to know animals’ at Epping, Essex, London, Malu has become a much-loved resident on site and the entire team are delighted regarding his return.

Animal Manager Maddy commented:

“Malu is a shy boy and takes some time getting used to people. Bananas are considered a good way to make friends, although he loves all fruit and is his happiest self when munching! 

After receiving word of sightings by a local Cornwood resident in the evening of Tuesday 13th February the team gathered equipment and drove to the location. He was located in a small woodshed next to an allotment, so he had managed to find shelter and a food source. 

He was quickly secured and transported back to the Zoo, where he has been settling back in.

Malu has been eating well overnight and seems calm and in good health. The team will continue to monitor him to ensure he is doing well. 

At this time, the team are enjoying a very emotional reuniting with a much-missed Malu.”

Dartmoor Zoo will be reviewing Malu’s enclosure over the next 12 – 24 hours, to assess any changes that need to be made and Malu will be in a suitable, temporary enclosure until any works have been completed.

CEO David Gibson Commented:

“We are all obviously delighted that Malu has been found safe and well and our priority now is for his ongoing welfare and care. We will be working hard over the next few days to ensure that he is in good health and that there is no possibility of him escaping his enclosure again.”

We are thrilled and honoured to receive the Gold award in Business Events Venue of the Year from Devon Tourism Awards, sponsored by VoltShare.

And commended for Wedding Venue of the Year, sponsored by Plymouth Gin.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has been a part of Dartmoor Zoo’s journey. This achievement wouldn’t be possible without our dedicated team and the incredible support from our guests.

To find out more about our business events and weddings click here.

Following on from the huge success last year, this Valentine’s Day you can once again name a cockroach in honour of that un-special (or special) someone in your life!

For a £5 donation to Dartmoor Zoo, name one of our cockroaches after someone who’s been ‘bugging’ you and receive a customisable certificate featuring your chosen name to show your support.

If you have bitterness in your heart or unresolved anger towards an ex, a boss, or whoever has been a thorn in your side, this is the perfect opportunity to channel those feelings and get rid of any negative energy!

All proceeds will help our charity continue the amazing care we provide to our animals, whilst supporting our vital conservation efforts.

Name a cockroach here

We’re offering free entry to Dartmoor Zoo for children during the teacher strikes on Thursday 2nd March!

Join us and learn about our amazing animals, listen to educational talks and enjoy a fun family day out!

Limited tickets are available so don’t miss out.

BOOK NOW

T&CS:

  • Children must be supervised at all times by an accompanying adult
  • Tickets are limited and must be purchased online in advance

We are delighted to announce the birth of three Asian short-clawed otter pups at Dartmoor Zoo!

There are two boys and a girl, all of which have passed their vet checks with flying colours! Our vet conducted a health check and confirmed they are all growing well, developing as they should and receiving the best level of care from their parents, Matty and Jasmine.

Our pups are almost ready to get their explorer badges, and will slowly begin familiarising themselves with the enclosure over the next few weeks, so make sure to pop along and see the cuteness in person.

Buy Zoo admission tickets

Can you help us name our capybara babies?

Following on from the birth of four capybara babies (two boys and two girls) at Dartmoor Zoo, we’d like to offer you the amazing opportunity of becoming a ‘capybara champion’!

In return for a £200 donation, you will have the opportunity to:
– Name a baby
– Receive an adoption pack
– Have your name on a sign at the enclosure
– Acknowledgement on our website and social media

Your support is vitally important to our charity and your contribution will go directly towards vital conservation projects, as well as the continued upkeep and wellbeing of the animals in our care.

One baby (girl) has already been named, so if you would like to be involved, please email your name and contact number to zoobase@dartmoorzoo.co.uk.

We’re so pleased to welcome a Lau banded iguana to Dartmoor Zoo!

Found on the Lau Islands of the eastern part of the Fijian archipelago, this species is considered a national treasure by the government of Fiji, and its likeness has been featured on postage stamps and currency.

Populations of these iguanas have been declining over the past century and they’re now sadly listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Threats include habitat destruction from logging and farming, invasive predators and the illegal pet trade.

Come and meet Tonga for yourself this May half term! You can spot him in our Reptile and Bug House.

TICKETS

We’re delighted to announce the arrival of two critically endangered Scottish wildcats here at Dartmoor Zoo! 

 

The two females, Morag and Moraig, arrived from New Forest Wildlife Park and have made themselves at home in a bespoke enclosure which mimics their natural habitat.

 

Scottish wildcats form one of the most endangered cat populations in the world. Following a sad history of habitat loss, persecution and, more recently, breeding with domestic cats, they’re now on the brink of extinction.

 

Fearless, brave, intelligent, resourceful and patient make a remarkable animal. Dubbed the ‘Tiger of the Highlands’, there are now barely a handful left and scientific research has confirmed the species will not survive without help.

 

Coral Jonas, Chief Operating Officer at Dartmoor Zoo, said: “We’re incredibly excited to welcome two Scottish wildcats to the charity, Dartmoor Zoological Society.

 

“This is the beginning of our future breeding and release programme and will also give us the opportunity to educate our visitors about one of the rarest mammals in Britain. 

 

“Welcoming the cats not only helps wildlife but it’s helped the people that made it possible. The students from Ivybridge Community College who came and helped build this enclosure as part of our Superkids school inclusion programme should be truly proud of the work they have done.”

 

As a leading British wildlife conservation charity, we’re eager to not only contribute to their conservation, but to also offer an opportunity for visitors to learn more about wildcats and hopefully capture a glimpse of this elusive species.

We’re delighted to welcome THREE new bird species to Dartmoor Zoo!

Our first new arrival is a critically endangered Bali myna, also known as a Bali starling, one of the rarest species of bird on the planet.

Found in the tropical forests of Bali, their pure white plumage and blue streak across the eye has made them irresistible to collectors and due to the illegal bird trade, they’re unfortunately incredibly close to becoming extinct in the wild.

We will be working to help safeguard these stunning birds as part of the European Breeding Programme.

Our second new arrivals – a flock of Java sparrows!

The Java sparrow, also known as Java finch, Java rice sparrow or Java rice bird, is a species of finch native to Java and Bali in Indonesia.

They’re highly social and forage in groups in growing vegetation for rice, grass seeds, and small insects.

Listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species has been introduced to other parts of the world, including Hawaii, but is threatened in its native range due to habitat loss and trapping for the illegal pet trade. As a result, their numbers are sadly plummeting.

Finally, two Luzon bleeding-heart doves have been welcomed to the Zoo.

With a distinct red ‘heart’ in the centre of their chest, this bird got its unusual name from the splash of vivid red on their white breasts, which resembles a bleeding wound.

Listed as near threatened on the IUCN Red List, the population of this species has been shrinking in recent years due to habitat loss, as well as hunting and trapping for the pet trade.

Guests may be able to hear the doves calling periodically, making ‘cooing’ noises to stay in contact with each other while they forage for berries, seeds, and grubs to eat.

Come and see these beautiful birds in person! You can spot our new arrivals in our Bird Aviary.

TICKETS

It just wouldn’t be Easter without an egg hunt with a ‘wild’ twist like only the Zoo can do!

Can you find the eggs of all our different bird species?

Join us from Saturday 9th – Sunday 24th April for an egg-citing Easter trail around the Zoo featuring our amazing animals, listen to our new animal talks and learn all about our brilliant birds.

This trail is included as part of your general Zoo admission ticket with the option of purchasing a £2 trail pack on arrival, which includes:

  • A trail sheet
  • DZS pencil
  • 30g mini eggs
  • A fluffy chick
  • DZS bird sticker

Tickets are on sale now, so bring your little monkeys and enjoy acres of ‘egg’tastic themed fun!

BOOK NOW

Hop on over to Dartmoor Zoo and join us for our Easter EggstravaganZOO event, taking place on Thursday 14th April between 5pm – 8pm!

Celebrate Easter with the whole family and enjoy acres of ‘egg’tastic themed fun in search of treats and treasures.

Activities during the event include:

  • Easter Egg Hunt
  • Easter Games & Prizes
  • Meet the Easter Bunny
  • Face Painting
  • Bake Sale
  • Brilliant Birds Talk

Bring your little monkeys for a fun (and wild) outdoor adventure and celebrate spring with eggs, paws and claws!

Tickets are limited so don’t miss out.

DZS Membership price:
DZS Standard Membership – full price
DZS Premium Membership – 10% off using code ‘DZSPREMIUM10’ (please note that you will need proof of membership on the day of your visit)

BOOK NOW

This offer is sold out. Only pre-booked tickets will be allowed in on the day.

 

This Mother’s Day (Sunday 27th March), we’re offering mums 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 admission to Dartmoor Zoo!

If you’re looking for a memorable day out, bring your troop along for some fun and fresh air, explore our 33-acre site and learn more about our incredible mothers.

To receive free admission into the Zoo on Sunday 27th March, mums must be accompanied by a full paying adult or child.

Limited tickets are available so book in advance to avoid disappointment!

BOOK NOW

We’re very proud to announce that we have been successful in breeding over 75 black beauty stick insects! 

This species is sadly listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and their population in the wild is still decreasing, facing threats from livestock farming and habitat loss.  

They’re native to Peru and can now only be found in the wild in the Cordillera del Condor region of Peru in South America. 

Only discovered in 2005, not much is known about these insects, but they’re believed to be most active at night when their deep black coloration keeps them hidden from predators. They’re also armed with a gland at the rear of their heads which, when threatened, can spray a corrosive, strong-smelling substance!

We’re currently rearing these insects in our breeding room but they will soon be on show in our Reptile and Bug House. 

We’re delighted to announce that Dartmoor Zoological Society (DZS) has been selected as one of Plymouth Argyle Football Club and the Argyle Community Trust’s chosen charities for the 21/22 campaign.

Alongside local men’s health charity, Dash of Silver, we were unanimously selected as their chosen partners for the season, alongside the EFL nominated charity partner, Mind.

The club and Trust will commit to a range of initiatives, including fundraising support, outreach assistance, staff volunteering, in-kind services, and event sponsorship.

Coral Jonas, Deputy CEO of DZS, said: “Dartmoor Zoo is delighted to have been chosen as a charity partner of the Plymouth Argyle Community Trust for the 2021/22 season. The Zoo is unique to many zoological conservation projects as helping people is as important to us as helping wildlife. Our Wellness Through Nature and educational programmes support adults and children to improve their mental and emotional health and physical wellbeing by inspiring and empowering them to be more connected with the natural world. We are looking forward to working with Plymouth Argyle on some new initiatives which will enable more people to benefit from spending time outdoors and engaging with nature.”

Dartmoor Zoological Society and Dash of Silver are the club’s first-ever chosen charity partners, following the development of a specific and targeted charity policy during the off-season.

Plymouth Argyle CEO, Andrew Parkinson, said: “We are pleased to be able to confirm our first-ever chosen charity partners for the 21/22 campaign, and look forward to collaborating on projects and using the power of Argyle to help create measurable impact for the charities and the projects they deliver.”

We’re delighted to announce that Dartmoor Zoological Society (DZS) is now an institutional member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).

WAZA is a global community of progressive zoological organisations that are actively engaged in critically important efforts to protect wildlife.

The membership consists of nearly 400 leading institutions and organisations around the world dedicated to providing the highest standards of care and striving to achieve the most in conservation of animals and their habitats.

Becoming a WAZA member presents incredible opportunities for professional development and collaboration on international research and conservation projects.

Coral Jonas, Deputy CEO of Dartmoor Zoological Society, said: “We’re extremely pleased to be part of WAZA. We’ve worked hard to build an incredible home for our animals, where we have the privilege of continuing our mission to protect them whilst also providing a platform to educate our guests and continue to learn about how to conserve them today and in the future.”

Dr Martín Zordan, Chief Executive Officer of WAZA, said: “We’re delighted to expand our global community by welcoming Dartmoor Zoological Society as a new WAZA Institutional member.

“As a global community committed to high standards of animal welfare and conserving biodiversity, we’re able to further increase our impact by having more like-minded organisations like Dartmoor Zoological Society joining us.”

The membership is another step in our ongoing commitment to conservation, research, education, sustainability, and animal care and welfare.

Join us this May half term to celebrate all things otter!

As part of the Moor Otters Arts Trail 2021, our amazing Moor Otter, painted by award-winning local artist Laura Wall, will be arriving at Dartmoor Zoo on Friday 28th May.

Moor Otters is a feel-good public arts project that gathers up young and old for an amazing journey of learning and discovery, creating stories and making memories.

81 stunning sculptures of otters with cubs – all designed and decorated by local and national artists – will be spending the summer with businesses, community groups and in public areas across Dartmoor, in Plymouth and in gateway towns and villages to create four arts trails.

Find out more and get involved.

To coincide with the arrival of the Moor Otter, meet our adorable family of Asian short clawed otters and take part in our Zoo trail to learn about all 13 different species.

For your chance to also win a large plush toy, simply print and decorate an otter mask and wear it to the Zoo between 29th May – 6th June.

Don’t forget to hand your mask in at our Jaguar Restaurant before you head home and include your name, age and contact details on the back.

Download your mask here.

During the most recent lockdown, our keepers and maintenance team have been busy creating a brand new African Aviary!

The aviary is positioned between the cloud rats and our Asian short-clawed otters in an area of the Zoo that many years ago held a selection of birds of prey.

Working with donated materials, we would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who donated items and their time to make the aviary a reality.

This enclosure will house our two endangered East African grey crowned cranes, Derek and Marge, lilac breasted rollers and our new Kirk’s Dik-dik, Ravioli and Macaroni.

Oscar winning Hollywood Director Cameron Crowe announced as first patron of Dartmoor Zoological Society

The Hollywood Director behind blockbuster films We Bought a Zoo, Jerry Maguire and Almost Famous, has become the first patron of the Dartmoor Zoological Society charity.

Cameron Crowe, the Director behind We Bought a Zoo which is based on zoo founder Benjamin Mee’s book of the same name, has pledged to support the charity with the use of his name, after taking a key interest in the zoo’s conservation work.

Cameron’s patronage will help the Dartmoor Zoological Society charity continue its vital work. Its mission is to provide a future where no animal species faces extinction, by educating, informing, inspiring and empowering people to be more connected with the natural world and take greater responsibility for their impact.

Born and bred in California, Cameron started his career as a journalist, acting as a Contributing Editor at Rolling Stone magazine before moving into the film industry. His first big hit was Jerry Maguire (1996) starring Tom Cruise which he wrote and directed. This was followed by Almost Famous (2000) which he won an Academy Award for in 2001 for his screenplay.

Cameron Crowe commented: “I’ve always been a fan of the incredible work the team does at Dartmoor Zoo. Since I adapted Benjamin Mee’s book for the screenplay and directed We Bought a Zoo, I’ve kept an eye on what they are doing. I love how, as well as doing conservation work with endangered animals, they also help vulnerable people too. Ground-breaking stuff with war veterans and kids excluded from mainstream education, connecting them with nature, real nature with lions and tigers in it and it seems to work! It really is inspiring and that’s why I’m proud to support the great charity which is Dartmoor Zoological Society.”

After establishing Dartmoor Zoo in 2007, the Mee family donated the zoo to the Dartmoor Zoological Society in 2014. As a registered charity, the Society is now proud to have Cameron Crowe as its first patron, in addition to over 500 members.

Coral Jonas, deputy CEO at Dartmoor Zoo, commented: “We’re delighted to welcome Cameron as a patron of Dartmoor Zoological Society. After taking a keen interest in the work we do here whilst directing We Bought a Zoo back in 2011, Cameron was keen to know how he could continue supporting the zoo. By becoming a patron of the charity, not only will he raise awareness of the vital conservation work we do here in Devon, he will also help to ensure we can continue protecting endangered animal species and raise awareness of how we can all do more to protect the world in which we live.”

As a charity, we’re now facing part of Easter, typically one of our busiest times of year, without any visitors. We’re incredibly thankful to you all, but it is critical that we ask for your help and support to secure our future.

Please consider making a regular monthly or a one-off donation today – http://bit.ly/DZSAppeal

Anyone can become a member of Dartmoor Zoological Society. In addition to showing support for our zoo, members obtain free admission for a year and can benefit from a range of exclusive discounts. For more information, please email zoobase@dartmoorzoo.co.uk.

We’re thrilled to announce the arrival of two lilac-breasted rollers!

The sibling pair, who have not yet been named, hatched at Paultons Park in May 2020 and have been settling in well since arriving at Dartmoor Zoo at the beginning of October.

Listed as Least Concern, these striking birds have around eight colours, including green, white, black, yellow, turquoise, dark blue, reddish brown, and lilac. 

They have a robust body and a proportionately large head with a heavy black beak, a white chin and a white or yellow band above the eyes and beak. They also have a dark lilac breast that grows lighter towards the throat.

Known to be a fearless creature, these birds will sweep down to hunt from the ground and aggressively batter their prey before swallowing it whole. Their diet includes grasshoppers, beetles and small amphibians.

Hannah Webb, Acting Curator at Dartmoor Zoo, said: “We’re extremely pleased to welcome these amazing birds into our collection at the zoo. In the future, we will be looking at swapping one with an unrelated roller to create a new breeding pair.”

These amazing birds can be spotted next to our burrowing owls.

We have two female baby marmosets that we need your help naming.
You have until 21st September to submit your baby marmoset names, in return for a donation of your choice.
Simply head to – https://bit.ly/32Cqqy2 to make a donation and to submit your favourite Paddington themed names.
Our keepers look forward to selecting one very soon!

We are delighted to announce that we have welcomed three new male geladas to Dartmoor Zoo for the very first time.

The three males, Bruno (aged 14), Kwame (aged 7 and Bruno’s son) and Soloman (aged 6 and Bruno’s nephew), were already living together at another zoo and are part of the international breeding program for their species.

Since arriving, they have been settling into their new enclosure which has been renovated especially for them to include heating, new lighting, lots of branches for climbing and enrichment.

Coral Jonas, Deputy CEO, said: “We are incredibly excited to be welcoming the start of what is going to be a new troop of geladas at Dartmoor Zoological Society.

“Over the past year, we have been developing their new enclosure in-house by our maintenance team and would like to thank the public for the incredible support shown over recent months, especially during lockdown. We have been very fortunate and thankful to have received donations and materials from local suppliers, allowing us to complete the finishing touches.

“The three boys were due to arrive just after the Easter holidays but due to the lock down, this was delayed.

“These are fascinating animals and our long-term plan is to house more primates within the collection so we can continue our research into animal cognition.

‘‘We will be keeping everyone updated on the monkeys progress through social media, and we are sure that all of our visitors will be thrilled to see them when we reopen.’’

Geladas are the last surviving species of grazing primate and known as shuffle-feeders, as they prefer to pluck grass while shuffling on their bottoms.

Although not classed as endangered, their numbers are decreasing due to the spread of agriculture in their habitat. They are also persecuted as crop pests in some areas.

Geladas use a complex mix of facial expressions and vocalisations to communicate with others in the group. These can be very subtle or extremely obvious! Look out for them ‘mouth chattering’ as a greeting to one another.

You can spot these handsome, long-haired, medium-bodied primates opposite the agoutis and marmosets.

Despite being allowed to reopen on Wednesday 8th July, we are only able to welcome a quarter of the visitors we would usually see through our doors due to the restrictions in place. To provide the best possible care to our animals, we must still fundraise £11,500 a week and continue to rely on the generosity of the public. If you are able to support us, please donate by visiting – https://bit.ly/DZPEmergencyAppeal.

Whilst we are temporarily closed due to COVID-19, our zoo keepers are caring for all of our 87 species of our 400+ animals, every single day, with the same love, care and dedication they deserve. No one knows how long this closure will last, and that poses a big challenge for us.

This year more than ever, Dartmoor Zoo needs your support. Since closing our doors in March, the zoo has lost hundreds of thousands of pounds in critical funds. We have been heartened by the generosity of the public so far but along with others, we need more.

Even after making considerable cuts, we still need to raise £45,000 a month to help us care for our animals and give them everything they need. Therefore, our weekly fundraising target is £11,500.

Dartmoor Zoo depends on income from fundraising events and admissions from our visitors, so the animals now rely solely on your generosity.

Although you cannot see them, you can still help them. Your donation today will support our important work, helping people helping wildlife, here at our zoo and around the world.

We understand that this is a difficult time for everyone, however, if you are able to make a financial contribution of any size, please do what you can to support us.

Together, we can overcome this challenge, and we cannot wait until we are able to  welcome you back.

Click here to DONATE