Paignton Zoo and Living Coasts are Supporting Campaign to Conserve European carnivores

By Philip Knowling 

Paignton, UK - Paignton Zoo and Living Coasts are supporting an international campaign to conserve European carnivores.

The European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA) runs an annual international fundraising campaign. Previous campaigns have focussed on tigers, rhinos and amphibians. The EAZA European Carnivore Campaign 2009 aims to raise awareness for large carnivores in Europe.

Called Living Together, it highlights the need for human populations to live alongside native predators. The campaign has identified twelve carnivores – dubbed the Dirty Dozen - the Arctic fox, brown bear, Eurasian otter, Eurasian lynx, Eurasian wildcat, European mink, golden jackal, grey wolf, Iberian lynx, marbled polecat, polar bear and wolverine. Two of these, the otter and the wild cat, are native to the UK.

Paignton Zoo spokesperson Phil Knowling said: “Nature conservation is not just about exotic species in faraway places. In Europe people have to share land and resources with some amazing species – sometimes we become competitors and we start to see them as pests and no longer respect them. 

“However, they are creatures of great beauty and wonder and, as carnivores like wolf, bear and lynx are usually easily recognised by the general public, they make excellent flagship species that can help raise awareness of conservation needs.”

Neither Living Coasts or Paignton Zoo has any of the Dirty Dozen species on show, but staff are still keen to support the campaign. Paignton Zoo has committed to raise 1500 Euros for the campaign. Living Coasts has pledged 500 Euros.

Both sites are taking part in the EAZA Teddy Bears’ Picnic on 21st June (Fathers’ Day), when zoos across Europe will be holding lunch-time picnics with the aim of breaking the Guinness World Record for the largest teddy bears’ picnic.

Paignton Zoo will have a special activity trail running over May half-term, Saturday 23rd to Sunday 31st May. The answers will be found around the Zoo and the trail will finish at the Discovery Centre. Children will be able to hand in their completed trails to be in with a chance of winning a Paignton Zoo goody bag.

The Discovery Centre will have campaign information and an activity based on the Top Trumps card game. Visitors will also be able to match cards to a map to find out where the dirty dozen come from.

The EAZA Dirty Dozen:

Arctic fox (Alopex lagopus)
Brown bear (Ursus arctos)
Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra)
Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx)
Eurasian wildcat (Felis silvestris)
European mink (Mustela lutreola)
Golden jackal (Canis aureus)
Grey wolf (Canis lupus)
Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus)
Marbled polecat (Vormela peregusna)
Polar bear (Ursus maritimus)
Wolverine (Gulo gulo)

For more information visit www.eaza.net. Paignton Zoo Environmental Park is a registered charity. For more information go to www.paigntonzoo.org.uk or ring (01803) 697500.

Paignton Zoo is a member of the British & Irish Association of Zoos & Aquariums (BIAZA). BIAZA represents its member collections and promotes the values of good zoos and aquariums. For further information please telephone 020 7449 6351.

Paignton Zoo Environmental Park & Living Coasts
Totnes Road
Paignton
Devon
TQ4 7EU

Paignton Zoo Environmental Park is a registered charity. Registered office: Paignton Zoo Environmental Park, Totnes Road, Paignton, Devon TQ4 7EU. Registration number 792877. Registered charity number 300923. Place of incorporation: Companies House, Cardiff.

To view Paignton Zoo's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to: http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-783-Paignton_Zoo_Environmental_Park