Paignton Zoo, Animal conservation center in Paignton, England
Paignton Zoo is an animal park in an English coastal town that houses thousands of animals from hundreds of different species and also maintains large gardens with rare plants. The grounds spread across an expansive property and are divided into different habitats that show how these animals would live in nature.
The zoo was founded in 1923 and originally had a different name before becoming a major animal collection destination. During World War II, it received animals evacuated from other locations, which significantly changed its collection and importance.
The place is managed by the Wild Planet Trust, an organization dedicated to saving endangered animal species from extinction. Visitors experience this mission directly as they walk through habitats designed to educate people about animals living across the world.
The grounds are walkable and accessible for visitors with mobility restrictions. Morning visits offer the best chance to see animals active and moving around naturally throughout the day.
During wartime, animals from London zoos were brought here for safety, telling an unexpected story of rescue during difficult times. This moment in history shaped the facility's growth and shows how conservation work expanded over the decades.
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