Dartmoor Zoological Society

Dartmoor Zoological Society We're just 15 minutes from Plymouth City Centre. A unique zoo set in 33 acres of beautiful parkland just 20 mins from Plymouth.
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We have a fantastic collection which includes an impressive selection of big cats, wolves, zebra, meerkats, tapir and much much more. Our restaurant serves hot and cold, drinks and meals and we can cater for all kinds of events, including weddings. The Chief Executive Officer Benjamin Mee wrote a book about buying the zoo called, We Bought a Zoo. This later became the subject of a major Hollywood

movie of the same name starring Matt Damon and Scarlett Johannson.

10 years on the zoo has been through a roller coaster journey but the conversion to charity in 2014 has strengthened it's future and opened up new and exciting opportunities.

Otterly good Tongue Out Tuesday! 👅📷 Marketing Kira
09/06/2026

Otterly good Tongue Out Tuesday! 👅

📷 Marketing Kira

Look at those little horns 🥹📷 Marketing Kira
08/06/2026

Look at those little horns 🥹

📷 Marketing Kira

Just over one week until our next Home Educator Day! 🐯Join us on June 16th for Home Educator Day - Careers in Zoos, desi...
08/06/2026

Just over one week until our next Home Educator Day! 🐯

Join us on June 16th for Home Educator Day - Careers in Zoos, designed for secondary-age children who are curious about the many different careers that make a zoo tick. 🐆

From animal care to visitor experience, this inspiring day will help young people explore future pathways, meet professionals working across the zoo, and discover the wide range of skills and qualifications that support a modern zoo. 🐾

Find out more today: https://www.dartmoorzoo.org.uk/events/home-educator-day/ 👈

We're wrapping up our week of volunteer highlights with Alan, whose hard work and commitment behind the scenes help keep...
07/06/2026

We're wrapping up our week of volunteer highlights with Alan, whose hard work and commitment behind the scenes help keep Dartmoor Zoo running smoothly. Here's what he has to say about his experience volunteering with us:

'I've been volunteering at the zoo for two years now, within the maintenance department. I love Dartmoor and the zoo, so spending time away from the city is beneficial to my well being. The team are work are supportive and encouraging, a great team to be involved with. The benefits to me are huge, to see a safe, tidy and welcoming environment is priceless, I learn something new every week, from practical skills to plant identification.'

Volunteers' Week

Each volunteer brings something unique to Dartmoor Zoo. As part of Volunteers' Week, we want to share another one of our...
06/06/2026

Each volunteer brings something unique to Dartmoor Zoo. As part of Volunteers' Week, we want to share another one of our amazing volunteers, Maria! 🦓

'I've been volunteering at Dartmoor Zoo now for 13 years this year. I volunteer with both our Keepers and our education team. Before volunteering I suffered badly with anxiety etc after losing my mother, volunteering at Dartmoor Zoo has helped my anxiety a lot and improved my wellbeing.

I love working both indoors and outdoors at the zoo and I love working alongside our amazing hard working team of staff and volunteers and the wonderful animals, some of which are endangered and critically endangered and conservation is very important to me, so it's a privilege to work alongside them.

I've helped with getting enclosures ready /making up feeds doing talks and many many other jobs. I love to help also make ours visitors have a pleasant and enjoyable day. It is lovely to be part of an amazing team who care greatly about the animals and to help to educate people and raise awareness on how endangered some of these animals are in the wild.'

Volunteers' Week

From caring for animals to helping behind the scenes, our volunteers do it all. Today, we're highlighting Amber, who sha...
05/06/2026

From caring for animals to helping behind the scenes, our volunteers do it all. Today, we're highlighting Amber, who shares what volunteering at Dartmoor Zoo means to her 🦓

'Hi, I'm Amber and I have been volunteering with the keeper team at Dartmoor Zoo for just under a year and absolutely love it! My role is to help the keepers during their daily rounds with my main tasks being food prep, cleaning, and enrichment building!

I have just finished my Ocean Science and Marine Conservation degree and have loved all animals since I was little- both underwater and on land. Volunteering at Dartmoor gives me the chance to hang out with super cool animals and I love to learn all their little quirks and personalities. Some of my favourite animals at the zoo has to be the Tapirs, Chana and Erro, who are so cheeky, and Dragan the Amur Tiger. Being a volunteer also lets build up my animal care experience for applying for jobs in the future, which is key in this sector as it can be very competitive. I love being at the zoo and getting to learn from the amazing (and super cool) keepers at Dartmoor Zoo!'

Volunteers' Week

Happy World Environment Day! 🌍Today is a day to celebrate our amazing planet and raise awareness about the importance of...
05/06/2026

Happy World Environment Day! 🌍

Today is a day to celebrate our amazing planet and raise awareness about the importance of protecting the environment for future generations! Every small action can make a meaningful difference, whether it's reducing waste, conserving energy, planting trees, or adjusting our habits to become more sustainable. 🧡

📷 Marketing Kira

04/06/2026

It's crunching time with our tapirs! 🥬🥔

🎥 Marketing Kira

Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. As Volunteers' Week continues, we're highlighting their amazing con...
04/06/2026

Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. As Volunteers' Week continues, we're highlighting their amazing contributions. Here's what Henry had to say about his experience. 🦎

'Hi I'm Henry and I've been volunteering at the zoo for just over 10 years on the public engagement side. I've had to learn about many animals the zoo has had. It all started when life was very tough for me, but the light shone through, when I had the opportunity to be involved with learning and working with the animals and the keepers. Also the education side, giving talks, talking about conservation that the zoo helps with, the wider community and world. I've seen many changes within the animal department: staff, animals and the park itself. I give talks to the public and answer many questions about the animals, environment and much more. It's made me become more confident to talk about MY passion. I work with a lovely and knowledgeable team. My mental health has really improved in the years I've been volunteering and I've built many friends along the way, and memories.'

Volunteers' Week

Address

Dartmoor Zoo
Plymouth
PL75DG

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+441752837645

Website

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