By Tom Bevan

A zoo has gone on sale - and comes with more than 2,000 animals.

Paignton Zoo in Devon is on the market with over 400 species of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.

It includes gorillas, giraffes, lions, tigers, rhinos, red pandas, cheetahs, lemurs, and gibbons.

There are also flamingos, crocodiles and Asian giant toads.

Zoo has gone on sale and comes with more than 2.000 animals

Flamingos at Paignton Zoo. (Wild Planet Trust via SWNS)

The zoo started in 1923 as a private collection by animal collector and breeder Herbert Whitley in the grounds of his home.

More arrived when animals and attractions were relocated from Chessington Zoo during WW2.

After Whitley's death, the zoo was signed over to a trust, now called the Wild Planet Trust, to be run as a public attraction.

Zoo has gone on sale and comes with more than 2.000 animals

A black rhino at Paignton Zoo. (Miriam Haas via SWNS)

No guide price has been released, but a Trust spokesperson confirmed the 85-acre (34-hectare) estate was for sale.

The trust has faced financial pressures and stressed "the intention is for it to remain as a zoo".

In 2003, it bought Newquay Zoo and built the £7m Living Coasts marine aviary on the site.

Zoo has gone on sale and comes with more than 2.000 animals

Tatau the Bornean orangutan peers out from a hessian sack at Paignton Zoo. (Paignton Zoo via SWNS

"Our unwavering commitment remains on providing our animals with the highest levels of welfare and husbandry, ensuring all of their physical, emotional and environmental needs are met," said Wild Planet in the statement.

"We have previously shared information regarding the financial challenges that we face, and whilst we have already taken appropriate action to try to ease these challenges, this is another avenue for us to investigate."

Living Coasts closed in 2020 following the impact of COVID-19.

Originally published on talker.news, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.

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