Welsh Mountain Zoo
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The Welsh Mountain Zoo, sometimes called Colwyn Bay Zoo, is a zoological garden located near the town of Colwyn Bay in north Wales. The Zoo was opened on the 18th of May 1963 by Wildlife enthusiast and naturalist Robert Jackson. Until his death in a fishing accident in 1969 Jackson remained as the Zoo Manager and threw all his energies into the zoo.
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[edit] History
The site for the Zoo, Flagstaff Gardens, had previously been open to visitors but only on a very small scale. It contained a tiny car park and one narrow access road - currently used as the Zoo's exit drive. There were a number of famous and well known animals in the original collection, including 'Cheetah' the chimpanzee from the film 'Tarzan the Magnificent' and an alligator named 'Daisy' from the film of the same name. Originally the Zoo used an old observatory as a cafe, but by 1967 the Safari Restaurant was under construction and beneath it the lion (now tiger) enclosure.
An early innovation at the Welsh Mountain Zoo was the first ever falconry displays in a British Zoo, for a number of years presented by the colorful Hungarian falconer, Laurent de Bastyai. Following the death of Robert Jackson the reins of the Zoo were taken up by his wife, Margaret Jackson and her three sons, Tony, Chris & Nick. Developments in the 1970's included the rebuilding of the old observatory to become the Flagstaff Bar and Cafe and close by, the new penguin pool with underwater viewing windows.
By the early 1980's it was possible to implement Robert Jackson's final ambition, and a new educational charity was formed, The Zoological Society of Wales, which took over the interests and operation of the old Zoo Company as from 1983. Mrs Margaret Jackson retired as Managing Director, but the three Jackson brothers remain as the Directors in management. With the active help of Clwyd County Council and the Wales Tourist Board, and the support of the Society's Landlords, Colwyn Borough Council, the Zoological Society has from the mid 1980's been able to undertake a major development programme for the Zoo. Enclosures opened in the 90’s included Jungle Adventureland (completed 1986), European Otter Enclosure (1987), Chimpanzee World and Chimp Encounter (1990), Children's Farm (1990), Bear Falls (1996), Golden Eagles (1999).
[edit] The Zoo Grounds
At the start of the 20th century, a Manchester surgeon, Dr. Walter Whitehead, purchased some 37 acres of woodland above the new and expanding resort town of Colwyn Bay with the intention of retiring there. The layout of the new estate was contracted to Thomas Mawson, the celebrated Victorial landscape architect. From what remains of the original plans it is known that Dr. Whitehead intended to build a mansion near what are now the rock and water gardens. He planned to develop the woodland into paths and walks, sheltered by the Scots Pines and Evergreen Oaks. The estate was never developed as planned, although Dr. Whitehead lived throughout his retirement in what was originally intended to be the gatehouse. In 1909 he was host to the Bards of the National Eisteddfod of Wales, and it was for this Eisteddfod that the stone circle in the grounds was erected. On his death, his ashes were placed in a tomb within the grounds, but were later moved to a second grave, which is to be seen on the path leading from below the Penguin Pool into the woodland.
It is not certain how the name "Flagstaff" came about, but local legend attributes it to riots by non-conformists at Mochdre in the 1880's. Since it was the largest estate in the area it was used as a signal station and flags were flown from its hill-top. The estate came into the ownership of Colwyn Bay Corporation in 1955 and until the arrival of the Zoo, the estate provided a base for the Council's Parks Department.
[edit] Recent Developments
2006 saw the opening of Sealion Rock, a new enclosure for the zoo's group of California sea lions. The arrival of a pair of endangered snow leopards and the breeding of the very first Bactrian camel in Wales followed. 2007 saw the opening of Condor Haven, an aviary housing the zoo's Andean condors Sonya and Gus, as well as other South American bird species. Caracaras have now been placed in the old condor aviary. Margay are another recent addition to the collection.
The zoo's next development project is the construction of a new tropical house for reptiles and new alligator facilities. Work began in 2007 with the demolition of the old tortoise and cactus house.
[edit] Species List
Mammals
African Crested Porcupine
Asian Short-Clawed Otter
Californian Sealions
Cotton Top Tamarin
Geoffroy's Marmosets
Przewalski Wild Horse
Red-Faced Black Spider Monkey
Red-Necked Wallabies
Welsh Mountain Goat
Birds
African Aviary - birds including starlings, pigeons and village weavers
Andean Condors
Blue and Gold Macaws
Chilean Flamingos
Domestic Ducks
Fantail Pigeons
Green Winged Macaws X Scarlet Macaws
Grey Plantain Eater
Western Long-Billed Corella
Various Waterfowl Species
Reptiles
Hog Nose Snake
Madagasgar Day Gecko
Mississippi Alligators
Red - Eared Terrapin
Red-Footed Tortoises
Spiney Tail Lizard
Amphibians
Invertebrates
Giant Land Snail
Children's Farm Animals
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