THREE NEW ARRIVALS BRING COLOUR, CHARACTER AND CONSERVATION TO PLANTASIA TROPICAL ZOO
Our tropical jungle has just become even more exciting – three fascinating new animals have joined the family here at Plantasia Tropical Zoo! From a chatty monkey and a rainbow-coloured reptile to a frog with a big personality, our latest residents are already winning hearts and inspiring curiosity.
Let’s introduce you…
Meep the Cotton-Top Tamarin
Meet Meep – small in size but big in personality! Meep joined us in April from a wildlife park in Hertfordshire and quickly became best friends with Marmalade, our Geoffroy’s marmoset. Monkeys are highly social, so it was important to find Marmalade a companion as soon as possible – and Meep was the perfect match.
Cotton-top tamarins are Critically Endangered, with fewer than 7,500 left in the wild. They live in the tropical forests of Colombia, but sadly their numbers are falling because of habitat loss and the illegal wildlife trade. By caring for Meep here at Plantasia, we can share her story and help raise awareness about the importance of protecting these incredible animals.
Did you know? Cotton-top tamarins are named for the fluffy white crest of hair on their heads – it looks a bit like they’ve been caught in a gust of wind!
Barry the Sambava Panther Chameleon
Say hello to Barry – our dazzling new panther chameleon! Barry arrived from Chester Zoo and moved into a tall, leafy enclosure in our underground zone, specially built just for him. He’s already turning heads with his bright colours, which can change depending on his mood, the temperature, and even the time of day.
Barry comes from the Sambava region of Madagascar, where chameleons spend their days climbing branches and hunting insects with their long, sticky tongues. His new home here has plenty of space for climbing, exploring and showing off his incredible camouflage skills.
Swansea Glass generously donated the bespoke glass for the build, with construction carried out by JMBuilding and internal planting by our zoo’s expert keepers.
Did you know? A chameleon’s tongue can be longer than its entire body – and it shoots out in less than a second to catch prey!
Our White’s Tree Frog
Rounding off our trio is a White’s tree frog, who has hopped over from Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park. Calm, gentle, and full of charm, this frog won’t be on public display all the time, but you’ll meet them in our VIP animal experiences and school workshops.
White’s tree frogs come from Australia and New Guinea, where they live in warm, humid forests. They’re often nicknamed “the smiling frog” because of their friendly expression – and they’re brilliant ambassadors for teaching children about amphibians and their role in nature.
Did you know? These frogs can live for over 15 years with the right care – that’s a lot of smiling!
Every new arrival at Plantasia Tropical Zoo is here for a reason – whether it’s conservation, education, or simply to inspire the next generation to care about our planet. We can’t wait for you to meet Meep, spot Barry in his leafy home, or say hello to our friendly tree frog during an experience.
Plan your visit and see who you can find in our tropical jungle!