May 21, 2018 - 1228 views
Last week saw an impressive milestone for one of Colwyn Bay's most enduring institutions.
The Welsh Mountain Zoo, which was set up on May 18th 1963 by wildlife enthusiast and naturalist Robert Jackson, celebrated it's 55th birthday. Sadly Mr. Jackson passed away just a few years after the opening of the Zoo and didn't see his dream flourish into the success story it is today.
Mr. Jackson had been looking for a site since just after the Second World War and was approached by the Colwyn Bay Town Council with a proposal to develop the former Flagstaff Estate. This proved to be the ideal location and after many years of hard work and commitment the Welsh Mountain Zoo was born.
Many years later the Zoo had expanded significantly and in the early 80's was taken over by the National Zoological Society of Wales. It's current Director is Nick Jackson, one of Robert Jackson's sons.
As well as enjoying birthday celebrations last week, the Zoo also marked the occassion with the opening of Canolfan Wild, The Wild Centre after many months of development. The centre, which aims to provide schools and colleges with a greater understanding of conservation issues, was opened by minister Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas.
The WREN Community Action Fund helped make the project a reality after providing a grant of nearly £50,000.
