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Ongoing updates and improvements

Wild Planet Trust is supporting the Ukrainian Zoo Community

Wild Planet Trust, the charity which operates both Paignton and Newquay Zoo, intends to demonstrate its solidarity with Ukraine by providing opportunities to generate financial support for the Ukrainian Zoo Community.

“We stand with the people of Ukraine, with our many colleagues and friends in the country and with the animals in their care,” said Dennis Flynn, CEO of Wild Planet Trust.

He continued “It’s easy to feel helpless when watching the news and it’s difficult to know how best to help the rapidly escalating situation in Ukraine. We believe that we can show support and take action to help our zoo colleagues through these deeply distressing times and hope that our visitors this weekend will join us with this. As a conservation charity, we deal in hope; and now, more than ever, we need to be hopeful.”

This weekend (19 and 20 March), Paignton and Newquay Zoos will be accepting donations to support colleagues in Ukrainian Zoos. 100% of profits made on this weekend from their shops and restaurants will go directly into this fund, as well as 50% of the income from ticket sales. Visitors will also have the option to donate an additional amount when they purchase their tickets and collection tins will be located at till points.

If you can’t join us this weekend, you can donate via our JustGiving – any donations received over the weekend will go to our Ukrainian zoo support fund. All profits from our online shop this weekend will also be donated.

Sunflowers for Ukraine

The sunflower is a symbol of hope and the national flower of Ukraine. Our friends at Suttons Seeds have very kindly donated sunflower seeds for our visitors this weekend to plant.

Here’s a short video showing you how to make a compostable pot and plant your sunflower seeds.