Maldon Promenade Zoo celebrates a decade of fun and learning

Maldon Promenade Zoo has marked  a decade of fun, learning and animal rescuing this month.

The zoo has grown steadily since its original format of a mobile petting zoo, started by James Williams, 42, and partner Craig, 44, after James grew unwell with cancer and wanted to realise his dream.

After James’ health began to improve, the couple thought about setting up a more permanent space in Maldon and started their petting zoo under a gazebo.

Over the years, the zoo has grown, and taken on more than 70 species of animals in need, as well as more staff.

Grown - James (left) and Craig Williams (right) started a petting zoo together ten years ago this month (Image: Newsquest)Craig said: “We’re very, very proud of what we do—about 80 per cent of our animals are rescued or unwanted pets.

“We never set out to be a zoo, but we are because of some of the species we keep.”

The zoo has rescued two pet raccoons from Braintree, a 17-foot Burmese python called Susie from Lincoln, two donkeys from Somerset, a pet pig called Horace from Colchester, and more.

Cuddly - The zoo runs special handling sessions with the fluffy and sweet animals (Image: Maldon Promenade Zoo) Craig continued: “We officially became a zoo in 2020, with the same licensing and standards as Colchester Zoo.

“We’re desperate for more space, because we made the silly mistake of taking too many and we’re only tiny.”

Craig said many people underestimate how much time they will spend at the zoo due to its size, but they often end up spending hours learning in the handling sessions and educational talks Craig, James and the staff offer.

Maldon Promenade Zoo also works closely in the community with schools and colleges, taking on students for work placements who are often employed by them in the future.

Community - The zoo also runs an Animal Therapy day where senior citizens and people struggling with their mental health can go free (Image: Maldon Promenade Zoo) Craig said: “It’s very much a small business, and a lot of our staff have become our family.

“We are really proud of them, because it’s our customers and loyal community that make the zoo, and the amazing staff and our animals.”

Craig said the zoo faced lots of challenges in 2021, including the pandemic and a serious accident James had to his arm.

Happy - James Williams with some beautiful birds (Image: Newsquest)

“That year was hard to recover from," he said.

"But the only thing that pushed us on was the young people that worked for us and the animals that needed us.

“Animals and people relied on us, no matter what’s going on in your life.

“We’re proud of the fact we’ve gone from nothing to where we are now.”

For more information about Maldon Promenade Zoo and its upcoming events, visit https://jandcpartypets.com.