Southam Zoo facts for kids
Southam Zoo was a small animal park located near Southam, a town in Warwickshire, England. It was a place where families could visit and see different animals.
Contents
The Story of Southam Zoo
How Southam Zoo Began
Southam Zoo started as a private collection of animals on a farm. Leslie Clews and his wife Pauline, along with their sons Terry and Brian, ran this farm. They loved animals and decided to open their collection to the public.
In 1964, a short film about the zoo was even made by British Pathé. This film helped show the zoo to more people.
Opening to the Public
The zoo officially opened its doors to visitors in 1966. The Clews family continued to manage the zoo for many years. After Leslie Clews passed away, the zoo was sold. Raymond Graham Jones bought it and changed its name to Southam Exotic Cats.
A Filming Location
Southam Zoo was also used for filming! In 1981, the music video for Gary Numan's song "She's Got Claws" was filmed there.
The Zoo Closes
Southam Zoo closed to the public in 1985. Many of the animals found new homes at Twycross Zoo. Today, the land where the zoo once stood has changed a lot. You can now find a Mediterranean restaurant, a hotel, and houses there.
