The Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust is the charity founded in Herbert Whitley’s name after his death in the 1950s. It continues his ideals of conservation and education through high quality visitor attractions, scientific study and field projects at home and abroad.
WWCT owns three zoos, two local nature reserves and a National Nature Reserve. It is also active at home and abroad working directly and with partner organisations to conserve species and their habitats.
The vision of WWCT is to have a world rich in wildlife and wild places. It is an education, scientific and conservation charity dedicated to protecting our global wildlife heritage and inspiring in people a respect for animals, plants and the environment.
Strategic Aims
Education and engagement of the public on the conservation of the natural world
In situ conservation of species and habitats
Ex situ conservation of threatened species
Conservation advocacy: shaping behaviour-change for the benefit of biodiversity
Paignton Zoo Environmental Park
More than eighty years of inspiring people to protect wildlife; breeding species such as Sumatran tigers and Asiatic lions; and saving interrupted brome and other plant species from extinction.
Living Coasts
The UK's only coastal zoo dedicated to protecting the marine environment and marine and coastal species across the world.
Newquay Zoo
Committed to conservation, working hard to preserve the world's wildlife. Successful breeding programmes of rare and endangered species put this zoo firmly on the ecological map.
Primley Park
The magnificent woodland, that is open to public, is known for its stunning trees including many splendid beeches more than 150 years old.
Clennon Gorge
Rare limestone grassland and valuable ancient woodland designated a County Wildlife Site. This important habitat is a haven for greater and lesser horseshoe bats.
Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve
A stunning, rare and internationally important wetland site, home to the Cetti's warbler and the only UK site for strapwort.
