Libéma expands with two zoos in England

Leisure company Libéma is expanding beyond the Netherlands with the acquisition of two British zoos, Paignton Zoo and Newquay Zoo. With this move, Libéma—known for Beekse Bergen and Brabanthallen 's-Hertogenbosch—is taking a significant next step toward its goal of further expanding its operations, both in the Netherlands and abroad.

Paignton Zoo, located in the county of Devon, has developed over the past 102 years into one of the leading zoos in southern England. The zoo was founded in 1923 by Herbert Whitley, with a focus on conservation, research, and education. After his death in 1955, management passed to a foundation, which eventually evolved into the current owner, the Wild Planet Trust. The 34-hectare zoo, featuring botanical landscaping, is home to more than 2,000 animals. The 5-hectare Newquay Zoo in Cornwall, home to some 850 animals, opened its doors in 1950. In 2003, it became part of the Wild Planet Trust.

Potential

“We are incredibly pleased that these two wonderful parks are joining us,” says Libéma founder and CEO Dirk Lips. “We see great potential in these zoos and look forward to working with the on-site teams to ensure that visitors can continue to enjoy a wonderful day out, where animal welfare, nature conservation, and education take center stage.”

Both zoos are members of BIAZA and EAZA, Lips notes. “Together, they participate in more than 80 programs for the conservation of endangered species. They distinguish themselves from other zoos through their naturalistic landscape designs, which means that education about the importance of ecosystems plays a prominent role at both parks.”

New Chapter 

“This marks the start of an exciting new chapter for Paignton Zoo and Newquay Zoo,” says Stephen Kings, interim CEO of the zoos, on behalf of the Wild Planet Trust. “Under Libéma’s ownership, both zoos will not only survive but also thrive in the future. Libéma shares our commitment to animal welfare, conservation, and hospitality, and we believe that thanks to this acquisition, our visitors will see and experience significant new developments.”

In September, it was announced that owner Wild Planet Trust had put the two parks up for sale. The foundation had previously disclosed financial difficulties, primarily due to repayment obligations from a loan taken out during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the sale of the parks, the foundation can focus entirely on the conservation projects it supports. The official transfer is scheduled for January 2, 2026.

Passion for Conservation

Sarah Barr, head of Wild Planet Trust: “Our top priority in the search for a suitable party to take over the parks was finding a new owner who would continue the zoos and protect their heritage. We were determined to find someone who shares our deep passion for conservation and animal welfare. We are confident that under Libéma’s leadership, the zoos will continue to thrive, while Wild Planet Trust can focus on its own vital conservation work.”

Libéma is one of the largest leisure groups in the Netherlands, with more than twenty locations spread across three divisions. The company has over forty years of experience in the zoo industry and currently manages four Dutch zoos: Beekse Bergen, ZooParc Overloon, Eindhoven Zoo, and AquaZoo Leeuwarden. This gives Libéma all the knowledge and experience needed to further develop Paignton Zoo and Newquay Zoo as leading zoos.

Improvement Plan

Libéma has drawn up a ten-year plan for both parks. This plan focuses on, among other things, ensuring and improving animal welfare in the parks, commitment to nature conservation projects locally and globally, participation in European Endangered Species Programs (EEPs) for the conservation of animal species, the visitor experience, and the further development of education and research projects.

Libéma will invest in the quality of the parks, including the renovation and further development of animal enclosures. For example, Paignton Zoo will feature a new visitor route structure as early as 2026, rhinos will return, a savanna will be created with giraffes, wildebeests, and zebras, a new enclosure has been designed for baboons and warthogs, and new enclosures will be built for tapirs, among other animals. At Newquay Zoo, there are plans for a new savanna with giraffes.

Bright future

“We have previously demonstrated that we can successfully develop zoos,” says Dirk Lips. “We are confident that, together with our colleagues at Paignton Zoo and Newquay Zoo, we can offer these parks a bright future.”