Paignton Zoo’s biggest transformation in 102 years set to open this summer

For more than a century, Paignton Zoo has been a cornerstone of life in Torbay, a place where generations have grown up visiting, learning, and connecting with wildlife. But just months ago, its future was uncertain.

Now, in a dramatic turnaround, the zoo is undergoing what staff describe as the biggest transformation in its 102-year history, a redevelopment that not only reimagines the visitor experience, but marks the beginning of a completely new era.

Today, visitors arriving at Paignton Zoo are met with a very different scene. Construction vehicles move across the site, new pathways are emerging, and signs hint at animals yet to arrive. It’s a visible transformation, and a deliberate one.

Head of Communications at the zoo Farah Adaci, explains: “We are currently in the process of transforming the zoo. As you come and visit us, you will see there is a lot of development work going on at the moment.

“There’s a lot of diggers on site, lots of new things being built, new paths appearing, and new signs teasing new animals that will be arriving very, very soon.”

This isn’t just routine refurbishment. It’s a full-scale reimagining of how the zoo works; from layout to habitats to visitor experience.

“We’ve been around for 102 years, and this is probably the biggest transformation we’ve had,” Farah adds. “Now is a really exciting time to visit and be part of history, seeing the zoo being rebuilt.”

What makes the transformation even more remarkable is the speed at which it is happening. Just months after new ownership secured the zoo’s future, major parts of the redevelopment are already nearing completion, with some of the first new areas expected to open to the public as early as June.

These include elements of the new central plaza, set to become a hub for visitors, as well as the arrival of new animals within the developing grasslands zone. 

The pace of progress reflects a clear urgency not just to improve the site, but to quickly re-establish the zoo as a leading attraction in the region.  

After a period of uncertainty, the swift shift from survival to visible change is striking and, for many visitors, unexpected.

At the heart of the redevelopment is a shift toward large, immersive environments designed around natural habitats. Plans include a major African savannah, where species like giraffes, zebras and antelope will live together in a shared, safari-style space.

White Rhinos, a long-missed species at the zoo are also to return, alongside new enclosures for animals including Rhea and other grassland species.

The site will ultimately be divided into five themed zones, each representing different global ecosystems, from wetlands to rainforests. For visitors, this means a more fluid, exploratory experience, walking through landscapes rather than moving between separate enclosures.

The scale of the redevelopment is even more striking when you consider how close the zoo came to crisis.

In 2025 the charity running the zoo, Wild Planet Trust, confirmed it was seeking urgent investment and even put the site up for sale following mounting financial pressures. Like many organisations, the zoo had been hit by a combination of challenges such as rising operational costs, the long-term impact of Covid, a forced closure during a bird flu outbreak and the burden of repaying loans. These pressures led to difficult decisions, including staff redundancies and scaled-back operations. Without intervention, there were real fears about the zoo’s long-term future.

That intervention came in the form of Libéma, a major Dutch leisure group that officially took over operations in January 2026. The deal marked a turning point. 

The new ownership not only secured the zoo’s future but also unlocked significant investment, with reports of a multi-million-pound redevelopment plan aimed at modernising the site and expanding its attractions. 

The takeover followed months of uncertainty, but ultimately ensured the zoo would remain open and evolve.

“Under Libéma’s ownership, both zoos are not only guaranteed to survive but to thrive,” a statement from the previous operators said at the time.

The move also allows Wild Planet Trust to step back from day-to-day operations and refocus on its core mission of conservation. 

For staff, the investment represents more than just new buildings, it’s a chance to reconnect with the zoo’s roots in the local community.

Paignton Zoo’s Business Development Manager Steph Dawson said the changes are already being felt:  “Since our change of ownership in January, we’re really excited that we’ve now got the investment that we need to develop the site.

“This is going to bring loads of new, exciting exhibits, animals and playgrounds, and lots of fun things across the site for people to enjoy.”

But she is clear that the zoo’s identity hasn’t changed.

“We’re very aware that this is a zoo that locals love and have grown up with. We want to be open, inviting, and part of the economy in the bay.”

That sense of local connection has been crucial, especially during the uncertainty of the past year, when community support played a key role in the zoo’s survival.

While much of the redevelopment is still ongoing, early signs suggest a phased rollout, with new areas opening gradually.

Visitors can expect new animal arrivals, upgraded habitats, improved visitor facilities and more immersive, educational experiences. 

There are also plans for new viewing platforms, rest areas, and central spaces designed to encourage longer visits and repeat trips. The aim is not just to modernise, but to future-proof the zoo, ensuring it remains relevant, sustainable, and engaging for decades to come.

The story of Paignton Zoo is no longer just about conservation, it’s about resilience.

From financial uncertainty and the threat of closure to a multi-million-pound transformation, the zoo has undergone a rapid and dramatic shift in fortune.

What was once a fight for survival has become an opportunity for reinvention. 

And for visitors walking through its evolving landscape today, that transformation is already visible, not just in the construction work and new enclosures, but in the sense of momentum.

As Farah puts it:  “Now is a really exciting time to visit… and be part of history.”

Photos by Gabriella-Mae Mitchell and Paignton Zoo