Hello, I am David Oakes. I recently visited Dart Moor Zoo and was blown away by how friendly the staff are and how healthy and happy the animals look! I do not like to see wild animals in captivity, but zoos play a significant part in world wildlife conservation.
Dartmoor Zoological Park, as it is known today, is no exception.
I found the park’s inmates fantastic in the main picnic area in the centre of the park near the big cat enclosures and other top animal attractions with an ice cream kiosk nearby and Mar-key selling wildlife pictures. I found all the park’s animal enclosures well laid out. There is a little bit of a walk from the car park up a hill to the main attractions, but the park has thought of everything with a disabled car park at the top.
Near the end of my visit, I got a real treat. I returned to the tiger enclosure near closing time, but not many people were there because I did not get any good pictures of the Amur Tigers on my first visit. At first, I could not see any of them, but then I spotted one of them stalking me from behind a log.
As soon as I turned my back, he jumped out. I think he was playing games, and then he came over to me by the fence as if he wanted some company.
He was terrific, and I have included a lovely picture below. It was good to see him so close up, but it was also sad that he was not running wild as nature intended.
Animals at Dartmoor Zoo
African lions, Jaguars, Cheetahs, Lynx, Short-clawed Otters, a selection of exotic wild birds, Syrian Brown Bears, Iberian Wolves, Monkeys, and Marmosets, and let’s not forget the Amur Tigers, and so many more. It is a perfect day out for the whole family! The Zoo was also famous for a Hollywood movie based on the park. You can read more about this in the little bit of history I have put below.
Dartmoor Zoo History
Dartmoor Zoo was reopened in 2007 after a short closure because the previous owner had the license revoked.
The new owner, Mr. Benjamin Me, set out to bring the zoo back to its former glory, and I can say he certainly did an outstanding job of that.
The zoo is set in over 30 acres of beautiful Devon countryside, not far from the village of Sparkwell.
The new owner also wrote a book about his experience, which court the imagination of one Hollywood film company that made a famous film starring Matt Damon.
The film has the same title as the book We Bought A Zoo; although the film was set in America, the main storyline was loosely kept, with specific Hollywood enhancements to the storyline.
Things to do at Dartmoor Zoo
The zoo offers various talks and activities throughout the day. One thing to do at the zoo is Meerkat Feed; the kids will love this one! Also, Iberian Wolf Talk, Big Cat Feed, Falconry, Close Encounters with some of the animals, and lots more will keep you entertained all day long!
Conservation at Dartmoor Zoo
Like most zoos today, Dartmoor Zoo has various breeding programs that help world wildlife conservation. The zoo is in partnership with Plymouth University, and the Dartmoor Institute of Animal Science (DIAS) is situated there.
Conclusion
The good?
The zoo has some excellent facilities, the best of which are the big restaurant with disabled parking nearby and the central picnic area near all the main animal attractions with an ice cream kiosk! The park is well laid out, with all the signage in the right places, and the animal enclosures are maintained to high standards!
Things to improve?
When I visited the zoo on more than one occasion, the tigers were in the smaller of the two enclosures, and the main enclosure had been empty for some time.
I do know in winter, the water at one end of the cat’s larger enclosure can freeze, making the enclosure easier for the tigers to escape, but I think the fencing and walls could be improved to prevent this from happening.
This would give the tigers more room all year round and help with the well-being of these magnificent animals!
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