United Kingdom PineValley , The Devon Wildlife Park Ltd , Follygate , Okehampton Devon (1969-1975)

This Establishment was opened on 7th July 1969 by Alexander MacKenzie and Mr R F Stallion ... In 1970 Animals there were Fox , Badger , Civet , Genet , Several Species of Monkey , Himalayan Bear , Deer , Donkey , Sheep, Goats ... Birds included Heron .Sarus,Cranes, Ibis , Stork , Pelican , Pheasants , Various Waterfowl , Eagles, Vultures , Cockatoos , Parrots , Macaws , Lorikeets and Parakeets ... listed as being on 40 acres and 3 shillings to get in for adults ...

In 1969 there had been 2 Himalayan Porcupine but these escaped .... The escape went unreported and the Porcupine bred in the Wild it took 10 years to eradicate these from the Area and even then sightings were reported up until 1991
In 1971 Mr MacKenzies 14 year old daughter had her arm attacked by the Bear .... It appears that she got too close to the cage In December 1971 it was reported that she was on the mend ....

The exact location of the Wildlife Park is difficult for locals today to even pinpoint and so at the time of when the Park was opened it may have been difficult to locate for visitors....

All in all Geoffrey Schomberg reports that the Wildlife Park was in its infancy in 1970 but there were great plans to develop much of the 40 acres .... He described it as a Small Mixed Collection...
Very little else has been written about the Wildlife Park . It has been noted that the Animal collection was very well cared for and when it was closed in 1975 the MacKenzie family found homes for all but one Animal and that was the Bear ..
Some of the Wildlife Park buildings still remain today ....There are no known images of the Park and so I have placed a photo of a Himalayan Porcupine and Okehampton Town (Devon)

Another airbrushed Animal Collection

 

Might not be the case... this was posted on ZooChat by Clare Elliott

My father jointly owned Pine Valley Wildlife Park in the very early 70s - I can remember living there in a caravan as a very young child and have some photos and old leaflets. If you are interested, I can post some pictures? Clare

 

I'm interested.....

 

I had heard of it; my ex-wife had family in that part of Devon. A quick Google shows links to 2 posts made by Clare Elliott in Oct 2016 and April 2107 on ZooChat. I cant see anything posted as a result though, but it does prove that pictures and leaflets do exist and again this is another zoo not quite as 'air-brushed' as stated. This is potentially a very large subject..!

 

It is a pity that Clare Elliott joined ZC for a few months and after making 2 posts and 2 promises, left the site in April 2017 and has not been heard of since. Perhaps I was wrong, and her 'evidence' never really exisited...

 

Oh dear, that's disappointing

 

That is unfortunate ... somewhere there will be Photos and if I discover any I will post them on here ...

 

Sorry I completely forgot about this. Will dig out the leaflets.
Clare

 

Please do……was it you that was bitten by the bear?

 

No my father was Richard Frank Stallion whi sadly passed away in 2016.

 

I only vaguely remember our time there living in a caravan on the site. I was born in 1967, so was 2 when the park opened. My brother Matthew was 1. I can remember arriving in the snow and a tractor having to tow our car up the hill to where the caravan was.
At some point a goat got into the caravan and ate the soft furnishings!
I think my dad sold up to Mr Mackenzie and we left completely when I was 4 or 5.
I found the leaflets in a suitcase when I was clearing out my parents house after they died and I know I kept them. I also remember a photo of my dad with an otter in the office and I think there were others. I’ll have a look when I get home (away at the moment).
My dad told me that the park eventually became a mercenary training camp - I wonder if that’s true?!

 

I’ve found some leaflets and newspaper articles which I will attach photos

 

I can't work out how to attach photos - I've tried clicking on the photo icon but to no avail.

 

vv

Hello - I have found some leaflets and newspaper articles but I can't work out how to post them - are you able to help please? Thanks, Clare

 

Need to ask a moderator

 

Thanks - how do I do that? Sorry not really up on this forum.

 

One of the leaflets I’ve found has a map of where it was!

 

Message Tealovingdave: he should be able to help

 

Thanks but I can’t see a messaging facility?!