Paignton Zoo Has A Record Attendance Year

By Philip Knowling

Paignton, UK - Record numbers of people have visited Paignton Zoo Environmental Park this year.

Despite variable weather in the summer and the economic downturn this autumn, the Zoo – a registered charity – received 529,740 visitors during its financial year to the end of October. This beats the previous record, 507,068, set last year, by 22,672.

Executive Director Simon Tonge said: “I think there are many reasons for our success. Paignton Zoo is a famous and long-established name. It is known as a great attraction in any weather that caters for a range of visitors from young families to older people. It is an excellent value full day out – and people know that the money they pay on the gate goes towards animal welfare, education, research and conservation projects. As a charity we rely on our visitors for our income.

“The Zoo grounds and enclosures are excellent and there is always something new to see – Crocodile Swamp opened this year and has been a huge hit. Add to that our enthusiastic, hard-working and dedicated staff and volunteers and the support of local people – we have 12,500 annual members, most of them living close to us – and I think you can see why we are doing well.”

The busiest day of the last twelve months at Paignton Zoo was Bank Holiday Monday 5th May, when 5,016 people came through the gate. The quietest day was 6th December 2007, when just 63 people visited. August 2008 was the busiest month.

The Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, the charity which runs Paignton Zoo, also runs Living Coasts in Torquay and Newquay Zoo in Cornwall. Living Coasts received just under 108,000 visitors in the same period, some 10,000 down on last year. Newquay Zoo welcomed over 174,000 visitors for the same period - just 2% down.

Simon Tonge: “Living Coasts is probably 1% of the size of Paignton Zoo but receives 20% of its visitors, so it punches well above its weight – and people are now staying longer and spending more there. All three of our sites are charities – we make money for a good cause, not for private gain. Few attractions in Torbay or across the region can say that.”

Newquay Zoo Marketing Manager Michelle Turton said: “We are delighted to have done so well considering the weather over the summer months. We are only just down on last year’s figures – now we’re really looking forward to what should be a fantastic 2009 with brand new African Savannah and Philippine exhibits opening next Easter and lots of stunning new animals for visitors to see.”

Simon Tonge: “As a charity we are not complacent – we want to keep improving. Next year looks set to be much tougher financially, but on the other hand, people are always looking for great value and that’s what all our sites offer. I think the people of the South West are proud to have three such exciting and varied conservation attractions on their doorstep.”

The Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust has attracted millions of pounds-worth of European grants to the Bay to build capital projects such as Living Coasts and Crocodile Swamp and pumped nearly one million pounds into conservation work at home and abroad over the last ten years.

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.

www.paigntonzoo.org.uk
www.livingcoasts.org.uk