Owner confirms Paignton Zoo is up for sale
The Wild Planet Trust which owns Paignton Zoo has previously shared information around the financial pressures it has faced
Last updated 30th Sep 2025
The owner of Paignton Zoo has confirmed that its on the market but said they remain focussed on animal welfare.
A spokesperson for the Wild Planet Trust which owns the Devon Zoo confirmed it was "looking for potential investors" and that this would "ensure the long-term future of our conservation charity and continuing to help halt species decline."
The Trust, which also owns Newquay Zoo, has previously shared information around the financial pressures it has faced and said they had already taken "appropriate action to try and ease these challenges."
Paignton Zoo is home to over two thousand animals and began as the Torbay Zoological Gardens which opened in 1923.
On the death of its founder Herbert Whitley, the zoo was taken over by the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust which became the Wild Planet Trust in 2019.
In its latest statement the Wild Planet Trust said: "We have previously shared information regarding the financial challenges that we face and whilst we have already taken appropriate action to try to ease these challenges, this is another avenue for us to investigate.
"Our unwavering commitment remains on providing our animals with the highest levels of welfare and husbandry, ensuring all of their physical, emotional and environmental needs are met.
"Securing investment will ensure we protect the long-term future of our conservation charity and continuing to help halt species decline."
The trust added that it would share more information when it is able to.