Herbert Whitley
Encyclopedia
Herbert Whitley was a millionaire and animal breeder who established Paignton Zoo
zoological garden
on his estate at Primley, Torquay
in Devon
in the 1920s.
Paignton Zoo zoo was founded initially as his private collection. Whitley was an early conservationist and a contemporary of people such as Sir Peter Scott
and Jean Delacour, the famous French ornithologist. Paignton Zoo first opened to the public in 1923. Paignton Zoo was one of the earliest combined zoological and botanical gardens in Britain and the first that was opened with education as its mission.
When Herbert Whitley died in 1955, the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust
(WWCT) was set up to continue his work. Since 2003, WWCT has owned and operated Newquay Zoo
and Living Coasts
. His estates also included the site of several local nature reserves in Devon, including Slapton Ley
, now run by the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust
(WWCT).
1923 - Primley Zoological Gardens (later Paignton Zoo) opened to the public.
1955 - Herbert Whitley died.
2003 - August 14 - Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust purchased Newquay Zoo
to operate this as part of the charitable trust with Paignton Zoo
and Living Coasts
.
Paignton Zoo
Paignton Zoo Environmental Park, is a zoo in Paignton, Devon, England. The zoo is part of South West Environmental Parks Ltd which is owned by the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust . It is a combined zoo and botanic garden that welcomes over half a million visitors a year. WWCT also runs Living...
zoological garden
Zoo
A zoological garden, zoological park, menagerie, or zoo is a facility in which animals are confined within enclosures, displayed to the public, and in which they may also be bred....
on his estate at Primley, Torquay
Torquay
Torquay is a town in the unitary authority area of Torbay and ceremonial county of Devon, England. It lies south of Exeter along the A380 on the north of Torbay, north-east of Plymouth and adjoins the neighbouring town of Paignton on the west of the bay. Torquay’s population of 63,998 during the...
in Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
in the 1920s.
Paignton Zoo zoo was founded initially as his private collection. Whitley was an early conservationist and a contemporary of people such as Sir Peter Scott
Peter Scott
Sir Peter Markham Scott, CH, CBE, DSC and Bar, MID, FRS, FZS, was a British ornithologist, conservationist, painter, naval officer and sportsman....
and Jean Delacour, the famous French ornithologist. Paignton Zoo first opened to the public in 1923. Paignton Zoo was one of the earliest combined zoological and botanical gardens in Britain and the first that was opened with education as its mission.
When Herbert Whitley died in 1955, the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust
Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust
Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust is a registered charity, set up to run Paignton Zoo after the death of its founder, Herbert Whitley, who established the zoo on his estate at Primley, Torquay in Devon in the 1920s....
(WWCT) was set up to continue his work. Since 2003, WWCT has owned and operated Newquay Zoo
Newquay Zoo
Newquay Zoo is a zoological garden located in Newquay, England. The zoo was opened in Cornwall on Whit Monday May 26, 1969 by the local council , it was privately owned by Mike Thomas and Roger Martin from 1993 until 2003...
and Living Coasts
Living Coasts
Living Coasts is a coastal zoo owned by Paignton Zoo as part of the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, which includes Newquay Zoo. It is a registered charity, and is based around sea birds and other coastal wildlife...
. His estates also included the site of several local nature reserves in Devon, including Slapton Ley
Slapton Ley
Slapton Ley is a lagoon on the south coast of Devon, England, separated from Start Bay by a shingle beach, known as Slapton Sands.It is the largest natural freshwater lake in South West England....
, now run by the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust
Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust
Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust is a registered charity, set up to run Paignton Zoo after the death of its founder, Herbert Whitley, who established the zoo on his estate at Primley, Torquay in Devon in the 1920s....
(WWCT).
Timeline
A brief history and photograph of Herbert Whitley can be found on the Paignton Zoo website. A fuller life story was published by Jack Baker in the book Chimps, Champs and Elephants (currently out of print).1923 - Primley Zoological Gardens (later Paignton Zoo) opened to the public.
1955 - Herbert Whitley died.
2003 - August 14 - Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust purchased Newquay Zoo
Newquay Zoo
Newquay Zoo is a zoological garden located in Newquay, England. The zoo was opened in Cornwall on Whit Monday May 26, 1969 by the local council , it was privately owned by Mike Thomas and Roger Martin from 1993 until 2003...
to operate this as part of the charitable trust with Paignton Zoo
Paignton Zoo
Paignton Zoo Environmental Park, is a zoo in Paignton, Devon, England. The zoo is part of South West Environmental Parks Ltd which is owned by the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust . It is a combined zoo and botanic garden that welcomes over half a million visitors a year. WWCT also runs Living...
and Living Coasts
Living Coasts
Living Coasts is a coastal zoo owned by Paignton Zoo as part of the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, which includes Newquay Zoo. It is a registered charity, and is based around sea birds and other coastal wildlife...
.