Wild Planet Trust, formerly known as the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust (WWCT), 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, Paignton in Devon in the 1920s.
Wild Planet Trust also owns runs several local nature reserves in Devon, including Slapton Ley. Since 2003 it has owned and operated Newquay Zoo and Living Coasts. All three of the Trust zoos works within the BIAZA, EAZA and WAZA zoo networks in Britain, Europe and the World as well as having ex situ conservation links overseas.
Wild Planet Trust jointly developed the MSc/PgDip in Zoo Conservation with the University of Plymouth in 2004, with the aim of helping students to develop the understanding and skills required for a career in zoos and wildlife conservation. The trust also works closely with South Devon College in Paignton on their FdSC Animal Science and BSc Applied Animal Science programmes with their own classroom in the Education Centre at Paignton Zoo.[1] [2]
Wild Planet Trust also encourages and supports student research projects across its sites, and provides annual placement opportunities for students.[3]
Ex situ conservation
In situ conservation
Education and advocacy
The Trust's zoos are the home of dozens of different species, from tiny poison dart frogs to towering giraffes. All of the animals live in natural-themed exhibits where they conserve their future and protect them from extinction.
Wild Planet Trust is governed by a Board of twelve trustees made up of a selection of professionals with skills and experience in science, commerce, the law and other relevant fields. The trustees are responsible for the oversight of the Trust's management and administration and ensure that the trust' conservation objectives are met.
Herbert was born into a family of considerable means; his father, Edward Whitley, was the owner of a brewery empire and also the MP for Liverpool. Edward Whitley died in 1892 when Herbert was six and, like many children of well-to-do Victorian families, he was sent away to boarding school. In 1904, when Herbert was 18, Edwards's widow, Eleanor, moved her family south to Paignton, where they took over the Primley Estate.
Herbert and his older brother William were well known locally as breeders of prizewinning livestock, although it was in 1910, with the arrival of his first monkeys, that the seeds were sown for what was to become Paignton Zoo.
In 1921, Herbert discovered that the coastal lagoon known as Slapton Ley, just 20 miles from Paignton, was under threat from development, and bought the land.Herbert also recognised the valuable role that zoos could play in education; in 1923, the Torbay Zoological Gardens opened its gates to the public. Entry was one shilling (5p) for adults and sixpence (2.5p) for children. In 1924, a dispute over entertainment tax led to a brief closure of the fledgling zoo.
In 1955, Whitley's health started to fail; he died on 15 September, aged 69. He chose his close friend of 20 years, Philip Michelmore, to be his successor. His Will made provision for a scientific and educational Trust to be established. The Herbert Whitley Trust was formed; in 1991 this became the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust.
In 1996 the zoo's name and logo was changed to Paignton Zoo Environmental Park. In 2003, the Trust built and opened Living Coasts, Torquay's coastal zoo and aquarium, and purchased Newquay Zoo in Cornwall, creating a family of conservation attractions.
The Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust became Wild Planet Trust in 2019.
Wild Planet Trust supports conservation in the United Kingdom and overseas. Conservation projects are coordinated by the Field Conservation and Research Department based at Paignton Zoo.