Dartmoor Zoological Park, Zoo in Sparkwell, Devon, United Kingdom.
Dartmoor Zoological Park is a 33-acre facility in Sparkwell where lions, tigers, jaguars, and pumas live in habitats designed to resemble their natural environments. Walking through the grounds, you encounter various enclosures positioned throughout the property to showcase these and other animals.
Ellis Daw founded the facility in 1968 on the Goodamoor Estate, which includes a building dating back to the 1600s. The property grew over decades into the operation that exists today.
The park transformed into a charitable organization in 2014, deepening its focus on wildlife protection and visitor education. Today, you can watch feeding demonstrations and talks that reveal how staff work with the animals daily.
The park sits around 15 minutes from Plymouth and is straightforward to reach by car. Plan to spend several hours walking through the grounds at a relaxed pace to see the animals properly.
Benjamin Mee's 2008 book about purchasing and restoring this place caught the attention of Hollywood, resulting in a film adaptation starring Matt Damon. The story brought the park unexpected recognition beyond its immediate region.
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