Dartmoor, Dartmoor Wildlife Park(Ben's Zoo) Review

Overall Rating

Good views of the enclosures, shame half of them are empty.

Gross food, limited amount of animals, broken attractions.
Dartmoor wildlife Park - it has changed hands, but the bad just got worse !

Dartmoor wildlife Park, now known as 'Dartmoor zoological park' is actually worse than the 2nd time we visited. I think it's down to a couple of health safety issues and possibly mismanagement. Dogs are now no longer allowed inside (which seems more sensible considering how many diseases can be passed onto neighbouring species).

The first time was pretty uneventful, with a majority of attractions broken, out of order or unavailable on the day. The 2nd and 3rd time were the same. Also interestingly, the majority of site staff still seem to be in their teens. That isn't supposed to be a ageist insult directed at a younger workforce. It's more a mention of 'minimum wage workers' and what visitors can pretty much expect for an extortionate £16, sullen faced teens who all look like they're wondering when their shifts are ending and who can really blame them?

The 2nd time we visited, we were subjected to staff awkwardly begging for contributions prior to closure. Thankfully, this time we were spared this cringe worthy performance. Good thing for any potential appealers too. There's no way our contributions (as well as the thousands of other visitor contributions) went towards improving the park and we would have aggressively said so.
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Our 3rd and final mid-season outing this summer is the last time I'll ever visit this place (without reading an honest review first). A lot of the enclosures were empty and devoid of anything alive. We also noticed attractions which were out of order prior to temporary closure were STILL unavailable, this is over 15 months later! We were led to believe that this sanctuary was going to be improved?

One of the best site features: a watchtower which gave vistors a birdseye view of the park, was closed. Additionally, the childrens playground area outside the restaurant is still off limits as it was before. There is a central green that the kids can play on but it's strictly 'bring your own entertainment' and definitely bring your own food too!

Which brings me to the restaurant itself. As far as the care of wildlife is concerned, I'd have to claim limited knowledge. One thing I do know: is food (I've worked in catering for 16 yrs). Food served here is far from cheap. However, when you're out for the day, you tend to ignore prices and splash out. Unfortunately, when you're served a dry lukewarm piece of leather masquerading as a burger, the realisation you've just been ripped off hits you quickly. I'm not exaggerating when I state I would not serve their food to a dog. It tastes and looks absolutely foul. In fact it's a close contender for possibly the most disgusting food I have ever purchased in my life.

Finally the animals themselves. Some of the enclosures are the best I've seen for visitors to get a really good view. However, it leaves me wondering whether these animals would be happier in a kind of environment which provided them with a little more cover, gawp-free-retreat. They didn't appear particularly distressed but they didn't appear content or healthy either. At least not as content as animals I've seen in other zoos. I noticed some weird pacing behaviour from a Siberian tiger and it made me feel uneasy about conditions. Conditions to the causal observer just don't feel right. Any enclosure which allows young children to pick up debris from the ground and then throw this through fencing (located only a foot away) doesn't seem right to me. As I said, I'm no expert, can only go on what I've read and my own interpretation. I also get the impression these animals are tamer than those in more professional conservation parks and so less interesting/more predictable.

I would not want to go here again unless it improves. Although the entrance fees are cheaper than a lot of zoos and wildlife parks, the limitations definitely show. Visit Paignton Zoo, Cricket St Thomas or Longleat in Southwest uk instead. If you're looking for a great day out, I recommend avoiding this park.

Members' Comments onmark lucas's Review

• lulalou on 15th Apr 2009

  I would have hoped that reviewers would have the common sense to understand that taking on a zoo without financial backing is a major undertaking, and as such improvements are going to take time. Surely this zoo is about more than being a pristine, all singing and dancing day out. To my mind, this zoo deserves support in order to continue to make the improvements that the zoo themselves say are necessary, as it is such an inspiring story; rather than condemnation for not being able to produce a zoo on a par with larger, more established zoos, so soon after it has been taken over.