Here you will find individual species notes on habitat, diet, geographic origin and at-risk status as well as the scientific names and classification of each species.
As part of our continuing policy of co-operation with other conservation organisations and the wider zoo community, the species we hold changes from time to time. We will endeavour to keep this section as up-to-date as possible, but please forgive us if it is not fully representative! If there is an animal you particularly wish to see, please contact us before making your visit.
Many of our animals here at the Trust are part of a managed breeding programme which ensures as much genetic diversity as possible. The reason for keeping these captive animals is to have a safety net population in case of a catastrophic decline in the wild population, for instance due to an earthquake or tidal wave - some species are so fragmented and populations so small that the entire species could become extinct. By having a genetically diverse population in captivity we would be able to gradually repopulate areas after such events and not lose the species for ever.
Our animals here at Shaldon also act as ambassadors for their own species, or those closely related, so that visitors can learn about the problems they face in their natural homes and how we can help prevent them from becoming extinct.
