Paignton Zoo Put Up for Sale Amid Financial Struggles

Paignton Zoo has been put on the market, its owner Wild Planet Trust has confirmed.

The 85-acre (34-hectare) site, which houses more than 2,000 animals, is being offered for sale along with a further 18 acres (7 hectares) of adjoining land. While no guide price has been disclosed, the trust stressed its “intention is for it to remain as a zoo.”

The conservation charity has been open about ongoing financial difficulties and said it had already taken steps to cut costs. However, it is now seeking investment to secure the long-term future of both the zoo and its wider mission to halt species decline.

“Our unwavering commitment remains on providing our animals with the highest standards of care, ensuring all of their physical, emotional and environmental needs are met,” the trust said in a statement.

Wild Planet Trust, which also owns Newquay Zoo, revealed in July 2024 that it was facing “crippling challenges” and needed to reduce costs by around £1m in a single year. Rising inflation and increased staffing expenses have been blamed in its latest accounts for the financial strain.

In its latest update, the trust added that confidentiality was “crucial” during the sales process, but pledged to share more information when possible.

Tim Jones of the South West Business Council said the difficulties were significant but not insurmountable. “It’s no surprise given the current pressures in tourism, hospitality and inflation, but this is an institution we cannot allow to fail,” he said.

Paignton Zoo first opened in 1923, developed from the private menagerie of eccentric millionaire Herbert Whitley, who believed it should be “a place of learning, not just recreation.” After Whitley’s death in 1955, his estate formed the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, which later became Wild Planet Trust in 2019.

Over the years, the trust expanded its portfolio, acquiring Newquay Zoo in 2003 and launching Living Coasts in Torquay. The coastal zoo closed in 2020 due to the impact of Covid-19 lockdowns.

According to its latest accounts, nearly half a million visitors came to the trust’s sites in 2023.