Category: News

Dartmoor Zoo are thrilled to announce the long-awaited arrival of the rarest cat in the world, the Amur Leopard.

The critically endangered Amur Leopard named Freddo (pronounced Fray-doh) which translates to ‘cold’ or ‘chilly’ to represent his habitat and their adaptability to thrive in cold climates, arrived at Dartmoor Zoo from Bellewaerde in Belgium on Tuesday 14th November. With less than 100 left in the wild, they are considered the rarest cat in the world.

Dartmoor Zoo’s CEO Benjamin Mee commented:

“Although captive born, Freddo is vital in assisting with the preservation and education of this critically endangered species, ensuring their survival for many generations to come. Our next steps will focus on finding a suitable female match for a potential breeding recommendation, further promoting genetic diversity. With many challenges facing these wonderful animals such as poaching and habitat loss, we are honoured to play a part in the global conservation efforts to protect this species from extinction.”

Dartmoor Zoo’s Curator Scott Chambers commented:

“While creating Freddo’s enclosure, we wanted to ensure that he was surrounded by a slice of Siberia. Everything that has been selected, is with his adjustment and ease of move in mind. We have teamed up with Grow 4 Good South West to source Siberian Elms, Larches, Boxwoods and a Flowering Cherry tree, all of which have been scattered through the bank, to simulate a mountainous forest and replicating a natural territory.

The move has been recommended by the EEP (European Endangered Programme), to promote genetic diversity whilst breeding, so long term, we would work towards finding a female match for Freddo. By doing this, we would be further continuing the hard work that zoos around the globe have been collaborating on, by protecting this species which is near extinction. Zoos have been vital in raising the numbers from a dwindling 20 – 30, back to around 100 in the wild and over 200 in captivity.”

Freddo’s enclosure will be open for public viewing on Sunday 26th November!

Without local businesses and public support, this endeavour would not have been possible. So, it is with honourable mention the public supporters are thanked for their incredible contribution of £6576, Meddings for their contribution of the enclosure’s development, Arc Metals for their contribution of the enclosure’s steel window frame, and to Devon Contract Waste, Zoo Trips and Helpful Holidays for their incredibly generous financial contributions.

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 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

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 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.”

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.

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 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.

It is with a very heavy heart that we did not open Dartmoor Zoo this morning and we will be closed from today until further notice. At the moment this is the only available course of action to ensure the safety of visitors, members of staff and ultimately the animals, who are dependent on a functioning zoo surviving this period of uncertainty. The Trustees and Senior Management Team of the charity have tirelessly explored all the options currently available to us, and closing the gates to the public at the moment is the right course of action.

For now, we must emphasise that this is a temporary closure for public and staff safety, so that we can continue to provide a future for the animals here.

With the measures currently in place we are 100% confident that we will be able to re-open when circumstances allow, and we are actively exploring all the options in a rapidly changing situation. However, we are completely reliant on our ticket income  and as a result of the winter, our reserves are almost exhausted and we will soon run out of money. We hope to be in a position to borrow from the Government Scheme, however, this is unlikely to be enough and we need to ask you as our supporters to give as generously as you can in these difficult times so that we can keep Dartmoor Zoo functioning until things return to normal.

The entire world is stunned by this situation, but this country is pulling together and the authorities are supporting many businesses and charities, including this one, so that they can get through the coming weeks and start to return to normal as soon as possible. We are taking great comfort from this.

Dartmoor Zoo has always been a public resource, but one which is dependent on its public to support it.

Please do what you can to support us by buying memberships, using our online shop, making donations and even buying advanced tickets for when we re-open.

We are all devastated that we have to close, but with your understanding and support, we will be back as soon as we can.