Paignton Zoo Assumes Full Responsibility For Tropical Forest Destruction

By Philip Knowling

Paignton, UK - Deforestation at Paignton Zoo!

Swathes of tropical forest have been cut down – in South Devon.

Gardeners at Paignton Zoo Environmental Park are cutting down exotic plants in a major overhaul of the Zoo’s Reptile Tropics exhibit.

Curator of Plants and Gardens Kevin Frediani said: “Reptile Tropics needs periodic maintenance to make sure the plants do not outgrow the space. Many specimens would become trees if we did not prune them from time to time. This year we noticed that much of the under-storey was dying back due to a lack of light, so we decided to revamp things. It has not been cut back this hard since it was opened 8 years ago.”

 So far gardeners have removed over 15 trailer-loads of prunings. The material will be chipped and turned into mulch to help improve the soil and suppress weeds. Plants cut back include figs, hibiscus, banana and the beautiful climber Dutchman’s horn pipe or birthwort.

One specimen that had become a large tree was Ficus benjamina or weeping fig, from South East Asia and tropical Australia, better known as a house plant. The climbers were so high in the tree canopy they were growing through the air vents at the top of the glasshouse. Now they have been cut back they will flower lower down next year and in full view of visitors.

“We are planting economic plants - such as coffee, vanilla, quinine and rubber - or plants with attractive flowers or architectural interest, as well as plants that are good for the animals, such as seed bearing plants which the birds can harvest when they fruit.”

The work is taking two months and around 120 staff hours – and that does not include the five years of propagating and growing plants behind the scenes. After pruning staff will add organic matter to improve the soil. Over 50 new plant species are being added to the exhibit to improve diversity and increase the season of interest. Once the new planting is completed, a top dressing of composted bark will be added to replicate tropical soils which are shallow and quickly rot down due to the heat and humidity.

Kevin: “I think the work in Reptile Tropics will make a big difference to visitors – the exhibit will be lighter and more open, with more flowers and more chance to see the exotic birds that live there. The trick is to manage it but keep it looking natural. It’s a good workout for us, too – we are getting paid to take a lot of exercise!”

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

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.

PHOTOS:  Head gardener Catherine Mortimer and gardener Dave Hoodless chop down a banana plant.