Timeline 1993 To 2003
1993/4 - change to private ownership under Mike Thomas and Roger Martin, who begin further redevelopments. Mike Thomas wrote about this period of ownership until 2003 in his memoir Strange Things Happened on My Way to the Zoo, published May 2010.
The re-opening ceremony was performed by local former MP and newsreader David Mudd (and dog!)
The zoo's membership of the Federation of Zoos (now BIAZA) and EAZA began about this time as more involvement in endangered animal breeding programmes developed. Many of the early and significant changes to the old zoo were recognised by UFAW and Federation of Zoos / BIAZA awards (listed on the zoo website), along with publications of research in zoo journals such as RATEL and IZN International Zoo News on these redevelopments organised by the Curator at the time, Jon Blount (Curator c.1994-98).
1994 - Chunky, last of the original Asian Black Bears dies in late 1994.
- Shane and Tina, a pair of Pumas arrive from the recently closed Haigh Zoo near Wigan.
- Small Aquarium section closed (and dismantled 1996)
1994 - 95 African Plains mixed enclosure (lechwe, zebra, porcupine, meerkat) created out of old Sika Deer paddock (closes when moved to new African savanna 2009).
1995 - Old bear pit rebuilt to house Sulawesi macaque monkeys.
1997/8 - early experiments with the zoo website, now 1998 - Rolf Harris opens the refurbished Penguin Pool and Village Farm.
- July 7, first pilot Modern Foreign Languages day at the zoo in French with Camborne School Year 7. This project later wins a commendation in The Zoo Federation / BIAZA zoo education awards (see zoo website for other awards achieved in this period).
- July 17, New Puma enclosure opened by actress Jenny Agutter. Jethro and Maverick, a pair of pumas arrived in June from Belfast Zoo to keep Tina company following the death of Shane.
1999 - August 11, zoo open during the 1999 Solar Eclipse.
2000 - September, first 16+ students enrol on courses at Cornwall College Newquay (which moved next to the zoo on Wildflower Lane site in 2003) on programme set up by Mike Thomas and Dr. Mike Kent.
2000 - Ronnie, ex-pride male Lion from Longleat group retires to Newquay (and lives until December 2007, aged over 19). He replaced his half-brother, Major who he had helped force out of the Longleat group in 1997. Lizzie, an ex-Longleat lioness keeps these old males company and active.
2001 - February, Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in Britain sees zoo closure for three to four weeks.
2003 - May, the AGM of the Zoo Federation (now BIAZA) held at Newquay. First pair of Fossa, Mavis and Harry, arrive on breeding loan and produce a baby in 2007. - August, Mike Thomas and Roger Martin, owner / directors of Newquay Zoo retire and sell zoo.
Read more about this topic: Newquay Zoo