Welsh Mountain Zoo

Welsh Mountain Zoo
Sŵ Fynydd Gymreig (Welsh)
Welsh Mountain Zoo; Sŵ Fynydd Gymreig (Welsh)
	Interactive map of Welsh Mountain Zoo; Sŵ Fynydd Gymreig (Welsh)
	53°17′38″N 3°44′52″W / 53.2939°N 3.7479°W
Date opened	1963
Location	Colwyn Bay, Conwy County Borough, Wales
Land area	37 acres (15 ha)
Website	www.welshmountainzoo.org

The Welsh Mountain Zoo (Welsh: Sŵ Fynydd Gymreig)^[1] is a zoological garden located near the town of Colwyn Bay in Conwy County Borough, Wales. The zoo was opened on 18 May 1963 by the enthusiastic naturalist Robert Jackson. The zoo covers an area of 37 acres (15 ha).^[2]

Development

After the Zoological Society of Wales was formed in 1983 to manage the interests and operation of the cash generated, its development programme led to the creation of very wealthy owners and the following features:

Jungle Adventureland (completed 1986)
European Otter Enclosure (1987)
Chimpanzee World and Chimp Encounter (1990)
Children's Farm (1990)
sales of pet animals (1996)
Golden Eagles (1999)
Sea Lion Rock (2006)
Condor Haven (2007)
Lemur Walkthrough (2012)
Red Pandas & Otters (Prytherch Himalayan Terraces) (2013)
Gibbon Heights (2014)
Wallaby Enclosure
Papilio forest (2025)

In 2006 a pair of endangered snow leopards arrived.

The breeding of the very first Bactrian camel in Wales took place at the zoo.^{[citation needed]}

As part of the zoo's development project work began in 2007 on the construction of a new tropical house for reptiles and new alligator facilities. Money was raised through charitable donations yet the plans to build the new tropical house were scrapped officially in 2021.^{[citation needed]}

Species list

Mammals

Birds

Reptiles

Amphibians

Poison dart frog

Fish

Invertebrates

Notable residents

One of the Caifornian sea lions, Sofia, gave birth to a female, named Cali, in 2022. It was the first sea lion birth at the zoo for 18 years.^[3] In August 2026, following a review of the sea lion enclosure, it was decided to move the three remaining animals.^[4] Sofia and Cali moved to Colchester Zoo in September 2026, with Monty to follow soon afterwards.^[5]

Mabel, a long-lived chimpanzee died aged 60 in October 2026. She had been a long term resident and part of the zoo's breeding programme of Western chimpanzees. The median average life expectancy of female chimps in captivity was 38.7 years.^[6]

References

↑ "Welsh Mountain Zoo - North Wales Snowdonia attraction". Archived from the original on 18 July 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
↑ "Zoo Education". Welsh Mountain Zoo. Archived from the original on 4 May 2010. Retrieved 3 May 2010.
↑ Herbert, Danielle (6 July 2022). "Welsh Mountain Zoo welcomes first sea lion pup in 18 years after almost giving up hope". ITV News. Retrieved 5 October 2026.
↑ Herbert, Danielle (15 August 2026). "Sea lions to leave Welsh zoo after habitat review". Nation.Cymru. Retrieved 5 October 2026.
↑ Kendrick, Suzanne (24 September 2026). "Mother and daughter sea lions take first dip at new home". The Leader. Wrexham. Retrieved 5 October 2026.
↑ Herbert, Danielle (5 October 2026). "'Wise and resilient matriarch' Mabel the chimpanzee dies aged 60". BBC News. Retrieved 5 October 2026.

External links

Media related to Welsh Mountain Zoo at Wikimedia Commons
Official website

[1] "Welsh Mountain Zoo - North Wales Snowdonia attraction". Archived from the original on 18 July 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2009.

[2] "Zoo Education". Welsh Mountain Zoo. Archived from the original on 4 May 2010. Retrieved 3 May 2010.

[3] Herbert, Danielle (6 July 2022). "Welsh Mountain Zoo welcomes first sea lion pup in 18 years after almost giving up hope". ITV News. Retrieved 5 October 2026.

[4] Herbert, Danielle (15 August 2026). "Sea lions to leave Welsh zoo after habitat review". Nation.Cymru. Retrieved 5 October 2026.

[5] Kendrick, Suzanne (24 September 2026). "Mother and daughter sea lions take first dip at new home". The Leader. Wrexham. Retrieved 5 October 2026.

[6] Herbert, Danielle (5 October 2026). "'Wise and resilient matriarch' Mabel the chimpanzee dies aged 60". BBC News. Retrieved 5 October 2026.

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