In today’s time, when flora and fauna around the world are threatened due to climate change, a visit to the zoo is an incredible idea to witness the life and conservation of several endangered species.
Read on to discover some of the best places to visit for a spectacular encounter with nature.
Top 3 Famous Zoos in Wales
Here is an insight into Wales’s best zoo, aquarium, and butterfly house.
1. Welsh Mountain Zoo
Wales offers everything, whether it’s a visit to a zoo, aquarium, or a spectacular butterfly house. The Welsh Mountain Zoo showcases diverse species of flora and fauna. The numerous species of plants, animals, and marine organisms here leave the visitors awe-struck at the exceptional beauty of nature.
Location: Old Hwy, Colwyn Bay LL28 5UY, UK.
1.1. History
The Welsh Mountain Zoo was inaugurated to the world in the year 1963. The founder of this zoo is lifelong wildlife enthusiast and experienced naturalist Robert Jackson.
The Zoological Society of Wales was formed in 1983, officially taking over control of the interests and operation of the zoo.
The Zoo operation was managed by the three Jackson brothers, each taking on the role of Director, reporting to the Zoo’s Charitable Board of Trustees. In time, the Welsh Mountain Zoo was publicly recognized as the National Zoo of Wales.
1.2. Gardens in This Zoo in Wales
The zoo has spectacular plant collections of rare and endangered species. Indeed, it is a conservation center for flora and fauna, recognizing the gardens as a part of the Zoo’s overall educational resource. The Zoo’s gardens comprise plants and seeds from around the globe from places like Chile, Central America, and the Himalayas.
The zoo works together with major botanical institutions to ensure the correct identification of plants. Numerous forms of Welsh Poppy grow well on this hillside site. Ferns and other uncommon tropical plants can be spotted in the Reptile and Alligator Houses.
Without a doubt, the varied nature of the botanical collections generates a keen interest for gardeners, botanists, and anyone with enthusiasm for plant life.
1.3. What to See
Visitors can spot Sumatran Tigers, Snow Leopard, and Margay at the Welsh Mountain Zoo.
The zoo is home to a vast ‘community’ of primates, including Chimpanzees, Spider Monkeys, Ring-Tailed Lemurs, Lar Gibbons, cotton-top tamarins, and Goeldi’s Monkeys.
The zoo’s varied mammal enclosures mirror the landscapes in which the animals roam, such as the Eurasian Brown Bear’s hilly plains to the Ring-Tailed Lemur’s compact undergrowth. Also, visitors can spot the small Azara’s Agouti and the towering Bactrian Camel here. The cutest red panda and the mischievous Meerkats are all part of the collection at the Welsh Mountain Zoo.
The birds at the Welsh Mountain Zoo come from very diverse environments. The zoo is particularly proud of its free-flying bird display (seasonal), where visitors can get up close and personal with some of these grand and magnificent species. The Welsh Mountain Zoo is home to many captivating and intriguing animal groups. Visitors can spot the tiniest Poison Dart Frog, the colossal American Alligator, and the smooth Burmese Python here.
The wonderful Children’s Farm at the Welsh Mountain Zoo lets’ visitors experience its adorable group of fun and furry animals. Guinea pigs, ducks, chickens, and rabbits live at the farm, located in spacious enclosures where they can run, hop, and swim.
The Children’s Farm, located in the far corner of the Zoo, provides the visitors with a quiet and relaxed area. It allows young animal lovers to see a range of farm animals in their exceptional environment.
The zoo also offers experiences like ‘Keeper for a Day’ and encounters with the Californian Sea Lions and other animals.
1.4. Conservation
The Welsh Mountain Zoo works to conserve flora and fauna by participating in the population management of endangered species, conservation research, education, and capacity building. This zoo in Wales also promotes public awareness, behavior change, managing habitats, and engagement in sustainability issues.
Also, the Welsh Mountain Zoo is involved in breeding programs and several conservation projects.
2. Anglesey Sea Zoo
Location: Brynsiencyn, Llanfairpwll LL61 6TQ, UK.
Anglesey Sea Zoo is an exceptional aquarium with over 40 tanks exhibiting the best of British marine wildlife. Visitors can spot the Moon Jellyfish, Snakelocks Anemone, Beadlet Anemone, and Dahlia Anemone here. Delightful sights of the Dead Man’s Finger Coral, plumose anemone, European lobster, spiny Spider Crab, common prawns, spiny squat lobsters, and sea toad Spider crabs can be captured here.
Also, this aquarium houses the Corkwing Wrasse, Goldsinny Wrasse, common Blenny, Tompot Blenny, Topknot, and many more intriguing creatures. Indeed, the Longspine Snipefish, Rock Cook, Short-spined Sea Scorpion, and grey Triggerfish cannot be missed by visitors. Watching the collection of starfish and sea horses here is a surreal experience. Indeed, the octopuses, mussels, and sea squirts beautifully light up the tanks here.
3. The Magic of Life Butterfly House
Location: CwmRheidol, Aberystwyth SY23 3NB, UK.
The Magic of Life Trust is a registered Charity that aims to help join in people with the Natural World.
A significant part of the Trust’s work is to conduct Research & Conservation. They have worked with numerous species of butterflies over the years and bred some of them. They are also involved in several conservation programs aiming at protecting wildlife.
Final Note
In summary, a visit to a zoo in Wales cannot be described in a single article. The aquarium and butterfly house here are no less spectacular. Indeed, experiencing a close interaction with wildlife and flora is a solid therapy for everyone stressed out by their mundane city life. These places mentioned above offer and showcase much more than what is mentioned in this article. Therefore, visiting these exceptional locations is the best way to experience this.
Last Updated on November 16, 2023 by Apeksha Soni
