Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust
Wild Devon and Wild World
The WWCT owns three zoos in the south west (Paignton Zoo and Living Coasts in Torbay and Newquay Zoo in Cornwall) and three nature reserves in Devon. It supports conservation action in the South West by managing the zoo grounds to promote local wildlife and helping with reintroduction programmes for endangered local species, such as the cirl bunting. But most importantly the WWCT conserves the wildlife of Devon through the protection and management of its nature reserves:• Clennon Gorge (accessed from within the grounds of Paignton Zoo Environmental Park) is a secluded 60-acre wooded valley that is home to a plethora of plants and animals. The site was identified as a County Wildlife Site by Devon Wildlife Trust due to its areas of limestone grassland and semi-natural woodland.
• Primley Park was opened as a public open space in 1996 and has since become an important green space for people in Torbay. The woodland has many stunning large mature trees, many of which are majestic beech, estimated at around 170 years old. In the spring, the woodland floor comes to life in a remarkable floral display with a carpet of bluebell, wild garlic and primrose.
• The 211 hectares of Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve (in South Devon) was purchased by Herbert Whitley in 1917 to save the land from development and to conserve a rare wetland habitat - a large freshwater lake surrounded by marshes and reedbeds. The habitats here support a very diverse flora and fauna. Slapton Ley is the only British locality for the vascular plant strapwort, and boasts the largest English population of Cetti's warbler. There are 2,000 species of fungi here, 29 of which have been described as new to science. Slapton Ley is also an important staging post for wintering and passage birds.
By supporting the WWCT visitors to Devon will help protect local wildlife and conserve beautiful wild places for the enjoyment of local people and future visitors.
www.wwct.org.uk
01803 697513
