Shaldon Wildlife Trust celebrates its 25th Anniversary

1985 - 2010

In 2010 Shaldon Wildlife Trust will be having a double celebration, not only is it our 25th Anniversary but our brand new extension will be open in time for the new season.

Our History

Originally a children's zoo, started by Ken and Trudi Smith in the 60’s, the site was taken over in 1979 by Stewart Muir and his then partner. The zoo was formed into a Charitable Trust for the conservation of smaller endangered species in 1985 and since then, despite its small size, has built up a considerable reputation within the zoo community. Stewart was Director at Shaldon for 25 years until 2003 when he became Director of Newquay Zoo. Stewart is still closely involved with the Trust and is Honorary Director. Tracey Moore who has worked with the Trust for many years took over as Director in 2003 and runs the zoo with Head Keeper, Rachael Baker, Education and Research Officer, Julie Matthews and a team of over 40 volunteers and students.

The Trust prides itself on the number of rare and critically endangered species which have bred here over the years including: Golden lion tamarins, Yellow-breasted capuchins, Ruffed, ring-tailed and Fat-tailed dwarf lemurs, Madagascan giant jumping rats, Pied tamarins, Azara’s agoutis and many more.

Over the years we have gained a great deal of expertise of small mammals and have been an active participant in the management of breeding programmes and husbandry forums throughout the UK and Europe. We are recognised as one of the top zoos in the U.K for the conservation of critically endangered primates. It is a great credit to our staff and volunteers over the years that the Trust is held in high regard within the zoo community and that despite our small size we have been a leader in shaping the role of zoos in the UK.

Our Extension

We have recently acquired an adjoining piece of land and now have planning permission to build an extension which will include new and enlarged enclosures for some of our animals and total wheelchair access to the whole new area. It will also allow us to provide an educational facility, a rest area for our volunteers and a veterinary examination room. The education facility will ensure that all our visitors, including the young, will have access to a valuable learning resource. Extensive changes are also being made to the front of the Trust to make it wheelchair accessible. We are also helping our native wildlife by including native shrubs and trees and a wildlife pond.

You can also see the formal proposal for the extension.

Our Anniversary

During the school half term 15th – 19th February 2010 and throughout the rest of the year we will be holding events to celebrate our 25th Anniversary. This will include placing a time capsule within the extension and we will ask local school children to contribute items to place inside. These events will be advertised in the local press and on our website so keep an eye out for what’s happening and help us celebrate this very special year for the Trust.