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It's
big and and it's bold with the sea as a dramatic backdrop - Torbay's
newest attraction has finally opened its doors to the public.
Living Coasts is a unique wildlife attraction on Torquay harbourside
created by Paignton Zoo.
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December
2003 and the first penguin chicks to be hatched at Living Coasts
have made their public debut.
Paignton Zoo’s African penguins moved to the new marine aviary
in June. They settled in so well that they started laying eggs
sooner than their keepers predicted.
Now the first young have emerged from their burrows.
One youngster has already been named Popsicle by his keepers
– because he is the offspring of a pair known as Mr. and Mrs.
Pops. |
The inhabitants
of Living Coasts live in reconstructed habitats including beaches,
cliff-faces and an estuary.
A huge meshed aviary has been erected above the harbour to allow birds
to fly free over the heads of visitors.
The aviary is home to wading birds, terns, sea ducks, auks, penguins,
fur seals and black rats.
African
penguins are among 400 birds at the centre. It's hoped they will soon
be rearing their young in special burrows.
Moving in has been a busy time for the penguins and the 24 other species
that have made their homes there.
The centre uses sea water from Torbay to create the various habitats.
It's filtered and then returned to the sea, cleaner than when it came
in.
Wading birds have their own estuary. The sandy shores providing the
bed and breakfast for the pied avocet.
As with the Eden Project in Cornwall, this new attraction will be
a key educational resource.
Viewing
panels and tunnels will give visitors a unique insight into how the
creatures behave in their natural underwater habitat.
"Living Coasts is about life on the edge – it’s about that fragile
margin where land meets sea and how the animals that live there –
including us – survive," said Paignton Zoo’s Executive Director
Simon Tonge.
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American fur seal |
"The
site is beautifully situated, easy to walk around but featuring spacious
and naturalistic exhibits where visitors can immerse themselves in
the subject."
The construction of the new attraction brings to an end a long period
of uncertainty for the Beacon Quay site.
It
has been derelict since the demise of the Coral Island complex, a
concrete eyesore which was finally demolished in 1997.
The opening of Living Coasts completes the final piece in the regeneration
of this part of the Torquay's harbourside.
The
whole experience is aimed at bringing the natural environment closer
to people.
Living Coasts opened to the public on Monday 14th July, 2003. It's
open 10am to 6pm daily.
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