Wild Planet Trust facts for kids
Wild Planet Trust is a special group that helps protect animals and nature. It used to be called the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust. This group runs Paignton Zoo, which was started by a man named Herbert Whitley in the 1920s in Paignton, Devon.
Wild Planet Trust also looks after several nature areas in Devon, like Slapton Ley. Since 2003, they have also run Newquay Zoo and Living Coasts. All three of these zoos work with big zoo groups like BIAZA, EAZA, and WAZA. They also help protect animals in their natural homes around the world.
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What Wild Planet Trust Aims to Do
Wild Planet Trust has important goals to help our planet:
- They teach people about protecting nature and animals.
- They work to save animals and their homes in the wild.
- They help protect animals that are in danger by keeping them safe in zoos.
- They encourage people to change their actions to help nature.
Learning and Education
Wild Planet Trust helps students learn about saving wildlife. They worked with the University of Plymouth to create a special course about zoo conservation. This course helps students get ready for jobs in zoos and wildlife protection.
The Trust also works closely with South Devon College. They have their own classroom at Paignton Zoo for college students studying animal science. Wild Planet Trust also supports students who want to do research projects at their zoos. They even offer yearly chances for students to gain experience.
Amazing Animals at the Zoos
The zoos run by Wild Planet Trust are home to many different kinds of animals. You can see everything from tiny poison dart frogs to tall giraffes! All these animals live in exhibits that look like their natural homes. The zoos work hard to protect these animals and keep them from becoming extinct.
Who Runs Wild Planet Trust?
Wild Planet Trust is led by a group of twelve people called trustees. These trustees are experts in different areas like science, business, and law. They make sure the Trust is managed well and that its goals to protect nature are met.
The History of Wild Planet Trust
Herbert Whitley, the founder of Paignton Zoo, came from a wealthy family. His father, Edward Whitley, owned a brewery and was also a Member of Parliament. When Herbert was young, his family moved to Paignton in 1904. They took over a large area called the Primley Estate.
Herbert and his older brother William were known for raising prize-winning animals. But in 1910, when Herbert got his first monkeys, the idea for Paignton Zoo began to grow.
In 1921, Herbert learned that a coastal lake called Slapton Ley, not far from Paignton, was in danger of being developed. He bought the land to protect it.
Herbert also believed that zoos could help people learn. In 1923, the Torbay Zoological Gardens, which is now Paignton Zoo, opened to the public. It cost one shilling (about 5p) for adults and sixpence (about 2.5p) for children to get in.
Herbert Whitley passed away in 1955 at the age of 69. He wanted his friend, Philip Michelmore, to take over. Herbert's will set up a special group to focus on science and education. This group became the Herbert Whitley Trust, and later, in 1991, it changed its name to the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust.
In 1996, Paignton Zoo changed its name to Paignton Zoo Environmental Park. Then, in 2003, the Trust opened Living Coasts, a coastal zoo and aquarium in Torquay. They also bought Newquay Zoo in Cornwall. This created a family of places that help protect wildlife.
The Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust officially became Wild Planet Trust in 2019. Today, Wild Planet Trust helps with conservation projects in the United Kingdom and in other countries. These projects are managed by their team at Paignton Zoo.
