Fish at Living Coasts in Torquay have been observed performing a mating behaviour that zookeepers think has never before been recorded. Animal experts filmed female four-eyed fish (Anableps anableps) rocking from side-to-side; this appeared to attract the male to come and mate. Sharp-eyed aquarists Tom Fielding and Sam Worthington noted and eventually videoed the curious behaviour. Clare Rugg...
Torquay’s Living Coasts is part of a new global movement to raise awareness about plastic pollution. The coalition goes under the banner of "World aquariums #ReadyToChange to #BeatPlasticPollution". The aim is to set a good example over the use of plastics and to encourage changes in behaviour. Living Coasts was the first aquarium in the UK to sign up and is one of seven in this...
Conservationists in Torquay have turned marine waste into thought-provoking art.
A new installation at Living Coasts, Torquay’s coastal zoo and aquarium, combines education, plastic waste and inspirational creativity. And for zoo artist Jackie Kidd, the task has turned into an obsession - and a new hobby.
Jackie collected rubbish on beaches for 6 weeks to make the work. And she...
Are there any tricks to rearing a penguin? Clare: “Patience, dedication – and not being put off by the smell of fish…!”
A sickly African penguin chick has been nursed back to health with fish soup by dedicated zoo keepers.
Staff at Living Coasts, Torquay’s coastal zoo and aquarium, have been feeding the chick every 3 hours from 7.30 in the morning to 7.30 at night. The only...
Unassuming in the winter, male ruffs transform in the Spring with eye-catching plumage - and it's all for the benefit of the females...
Keepers at Torquay’s coastal zoo are preparing the ground for some fierce competition. They are cutting the grass and clearing undergrowth so that one species of bird can indulge in its extraordinary mating ritual.
Conservationists in Torquay have turned marine waste into thought-provoking art.
A new installation at Living Coasts, Torquay’s coastal zoo and aquarium, combines education, plastic waste and inspirational creativity. And for zoo artist Jackie Kidd, the task has turned into an obsession - and a new hobby.
Jackie collected rubbish on beaches for 6 weeks to make the work. And she...
Zoo keepers have been digging in at Living Coasts in Torquay to make sure everything is just right for the birds. They had to shift tonnes of sand and soil in the coastal zoo’s estuary area and clear vegetation in an annual pre-Spring Clean.
The zoo’s estuary exhibit is home to pied avocet, oystercatcher, redshank, ruff and black-necked stilt – though you might be forgiven for thinking...
March is over-60s month at two top Devon zoos. The charity attractions are holding special days for older people.
At Living Coasts, Torquay’s coastal zoo, the day of the week to make a note of is Wednesday. At Paignton Zoo Environmental Park, the special day is Thursday. Paignton Zoo and Living Coasts are both part of the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, the charity which also runs...
Torquay’s coastal zoo and aquarium is looking for new volunteers. But the charity zoo is not seeking skills handling penguins, fur seals, otters or octopus. Instead you’ll need to be great with that most extraordinary of species – human beings.
The three volunteer roles are all to do with helping visitors: meeting and greeting people as they arrive; fundraising; and providing...
Local Vauxhall retailer, Evans Halshaw Plymouth, is hitting the punching bags once again as team member Greg Shelton prepares to take part in a charity boxing match in aid of Cancer Research UK.
The retailer at Barbican Approach is getting behind service leader, Greg, by offering sponsorship and is calling on customers and local residents alike to do the same. Greg will go toe to toe...
