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Paradise Park is a zoo situated in Hayle, Cornwall, England. It has over 650 birds and animals. It is currently the home of the World Parrot Trust. The site includes a 15 in (381 mm) gauge railway which encircles the house at the centre of the park. The railway is open for trains to carry passengers in good weather.
[edit] History
Red Panda Lang Za during Training at Paradise Park
Founded by Mike and Audrey Reynolds, ‘Bird Paradise’ as it was then known, opened in 1973. A bird garden was Mike’s dream, to house his ever growing collection of tropical birds including many parrots. Before realising his dream, he had been a successful copywriter, and creative director at Grey Advertising, an international advertising agency, being most remembered for his Milkybar Kid ad and coining the catchphrase ‘The Milkybars are on me’.
The Reynolds chose Glanmor House, which was built by Harveys of Hayle, who made beam engines for Cornwall’s tin mines. The sheltered Victorian walled garden made it the ideal place to start a paradise for birds.
As time went on the perilous situation of many bird species became clear and conservation became a main focus, with the Park becoming a home for many endangered species. This concern for conservation culminated in the launch of the World Parrot Trust in 1989, which now has over 2,000 members in 22 countries throughout the world, making Paradise Park a world leader in parrot conservation. In 1987 Operation Chough was launched to help save this local species of crow.
Over the years Paradise Park has continued to develop and is now actively helping to conserve some threatened mammals including Otters, Red Pandas and Red Squirrels.
Paradise Park has won many accolades for its conservation work and as an excellent family day out, entertaining and gently educating visitors of all ages. The gardens provide an exotic backdrop for the wildlife, and are an attraction in their own right. The recently-added JungleBarn indoor play centre ensures families can have fun in the Park in all weathers.
Mike Reynolds died in 2007. His family continues his work, joined at the Park by a larger "extended family" of staff, including long-serving curator David Woolcock, senior keeper Jill Thrower, and retail manager Lynn Jones.
[edit] External links
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Zoological Gardens in the United Kingdom
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Those listed in italics contain more than 5000 animals
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| Zoos |
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| Safari parks |
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| Permanently closed |
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United Kingdom |
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United States |
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| Rest of World |
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| Others |
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