Paignton
(Devon)

Closest Town:

BRIXHAM (6.0 km)

Introduction date:

1937

Site Name:

Paignton

Source of introduction:

France - Possibly a release of zoo stock upon closure.

Site Access:

Public

Colony Status:

Extirpated

Relative population estimate:

Unknown

Extirpation date:

Circa late 1960s

In August 1937, the founder of what was to become Paignton Zoo, Herbert Whitley, lost a court case against Customs & Revenue concerning the evasion of entertainment tax. This directly led to the closure of the zoo. In 1937, he released two hundred Wall lizards from France (spp unknown) into Primley Park, and Clennon Valley (adjacent urban parks) in Paignton, South Devon.

The majority of this colony dissapeared within 10 years of release. By 1951, a few survivors of this colony were reported to be living in and around a greenhouse, but there was no sign of the main colony.

Until the 1960s sightings of occasional individuals were reported, but no sightings have been reported since 1970.

Not assessed

Unknown

Unknown