CONSERVATION
Our Commitment to Conservation & Wildlife Protection
At Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park, conservation is at the heart of everything we do. We proudly house several endangered species, participate in international breeding programs, and actively support native wildlife conservation efforts.
Protecting Wildlife – At Home & Around the World
➯ Caring for Native Wildlife – We provide home to our wonderful resident wildlife, including foxes, badgers, hedgehogs, bats, songbirds, buzzards, woodpeckers and a whole host of creepy crawlies, including the threatened Violet Oil Beetle.
➯ Amur Leopard Conservation – With approximately 100 remaining in the wild, the rarest big cat on Earth has the chance to be brought back from the brink of extinction! We have been given the opportunity to be an integral part of the reintroduction of this critically endangered species.
➯ Marine Conservation Efforts – In partnership with the RSPCA, we have helped to rehabilitate and release rescued Grey Seal pups back into the wild at Combe Martin Beach, just 2 miles from our park.
INTERNATIONAL CONSERVATION CAMPAIGNS
We support international conservation campaigns, and actively campaign and educate against the keeping of exotic animals as pets, helping to combat the illegal wildlife trade.
Here are just a few projects we support:
➯ Barbary Macaque Awareness & Conservation
➯ African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary
➯ Lemur Love
➯ EAZA South East Asia Campaign
➯ BIAZA Helping Habitats
RESCUED ANIMALS from AAP - Primadomus European Rescue Centre
We also provide a safe haven for confiscated and abused animals through our partnership with AAP – Primadomus European Rescue Centre. We are pleased we can offer them a good & stable home!
BARBARY MACAQUES
We have a group of four Barbary Macaques, one of which was rescued by AAP.
➯ Malvine was confiscated in France, after being kept as a pet, wasting away in a small cage all by herself.
HAMADRYAS BABOONS
Our four male Hamadryas Baboons also came to the park from the AAP.
➯ Diallo & Anando came from a group of more than six Baboons, who lived together in a German circus style zoo. They were confiscated by German authorities. Both Diallo & Anando developed a few behavioural problems during their time in the circus.
➯ Rastan was found in 2004 by an animal shelter organisation in France. The owner could not show any evidence that he owned Rastan, and the housing was bad.
➯ In 2023 we took on Omar a very handsome 10 year old male. He was introduced to our group and instantly became best friends with Anando.
Proud Members of BIAZA
We are proud members of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA), a leading body that represents the best zoos and aquariums in the UK and Ireland.
They have more than 100 zoo and aquarium members, including Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur park, whom they support in their commitment to be at the forefront of conservation, education and research.
BIAZA is a member of both the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) and through this network the members collaborate on a global scale to further conservation science, natural history and environmental education and animal welfare.
CONSERVATION STRATEGY
CMWDP Ltd are committed to conserving the natural world and inspiring our visitors to do the same through engagement and education.
EDUCATION
To increase awareness of …
– The threats animals face in the wild
– The devastation caused by humans and habitat destruction
– The illegal hunting/poaching and wildlife trade
– How public can help: FSC wood, funds, raise awareness to others
Education Resources
– Clear conservation messages in daily animal talks and presentations
– Information panels on site
– Educational activity sheets
SITE
We aim to ….
– Provide natural areas around the park for indigenous species
– Provide nest boxes for indigenous birds
– Retain bug friendly environments such as logs piles/fallen trees
– Participation of BIAZA campaign ‘Spotted on Site’
– Avoid harmful chemicals wherever possible
– Be environmentally responsible with our practices
SPECIES CONSERVATION
– Participation in EEP breeding programs
– The exchange of information relating to the conservation of species in the wild
– Fundraise for various ex-situ conservation projects
We promise to record and regularly evaluate all our conservation activities.