WILD PLANET TRUST
The Trust's principal activity during the year was the advancement of scientific knowledge, education and science in accordance with its charitable objectives.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity incurred a net deficit of £13.5m for the 17-month period ended 31 March 2025, driven by poor trading results and inflationary pressures. Consequently, unrestricted reserves were reduced to £3.1m, and the trustees engaged a restructuring specialist to sell the zoo operations to an investor. Despite these challenges, the trustees and auditors confirm the charity remains a going concern with adequate resources for the foreseeable future.
What the accounts disclose
“In the band £160,001 - £170,000 1 -” — page 29
“With the poor trading results for the period under review, it has unfortunately been necessary for the Charity to utilise its reserves to fund the operations of both the Paignton & Newquay Zoo's. As a result, the reserves fund had been reduced to £1,4m by 31 March 2025.” — page 6
“During the year, the charity made transactions totalling £6,564,962 to South West Environmental Parks Limited, the Charity's subsidiary, and received transactions totalling £6,064,702.” — page 44
“During the year, the Charity also made transactions of £850,000 to South West Zoo Enterprises Limited, the Charity's subsidiary, and received transactions totalling £850,000.” — page 44
“During the year, the charity made transactions totalling £6,564,962 to South West Environmental Parks Limited, the Charity's subsidiary, and received transactions totalling £6,064,702.” — page 44
“During the year, the Charity also made transactions of £850,000 to South West Zoo Enterprises Limited, the Charity's subsidiary, and received transactions totalling £850,000.” — page 44
Year-over-year changes
- Top pay band moved from £110,001 - £120,000 (FY2023) to £160,001 - £170,000 (FY2025).
In the news
- Wild Planet Trust Confirms Libéma to Take Over Paignton and Newquay Zoos
- Newquay Zoo is also for sale, Wild Planet Trust confirms
- Paignton Zoo put on the market by owner, Wild Planet Trust
- Acamar Films and Wild Planet Trust Sign Partnership
- Wild Planet Trust’s sustainability workshops for Key Stages 1-5
- Wild Planet Trust offering Grants to Individuals undertaking Nature Conservation Projects
- Wild Planet Trust to offer new workshops with climate change teacher
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2025)
Trustees
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £13.1m | £26.9m |
| 31/10/2023 | £11.6m | £14.2m |
| 31/10/2022 | £11.8m | £12.0m |
| 31/10/2021 | £12.1m | £10.7m |
| 31/10/2020 | £9.3m | £12.0m |
Common questions
Is WILD PLANET TRUST financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity incurred a net deficit of £13.5m for the 17-month period ended 31 March 2025, driven by poor trading results and inflationary pressures. Consequently, unrestricted reserves were reduced to £3.1m, and the trustees engaged a restructuring specialist to sell the zoo operations to an investor. Despite these challenges, the trustees and auditors confirm the charity remains a going concern with adequate resources for the foreseeable future. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Bishop Fleming Audit Limited.
What does the highest-paid employee of WILD PLANET TRUST earn?
Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £160,001 - £170,000 band.
Who funds WILD PLANET TRUST?
Funders whose own accounts filings name WILD PLANET TRUST as a grant recipient include MARJORIE COOTE ANIMAL CHARITY TRUST.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARJORIE COOTE ANIMAL CHARITY TRUST | FY2023 | £4k | Regular grant |
| MARJORIE COOTE ANIMAL CHARITY TRUST | FY2025 | £3k | |
| MARJORIE COOTE ANIMAL CHARITY TRUST | FY2022 | £2k | |
| MARJORIE COOTE ANIMAL CHARITY TRUST | FY2024 | £1k |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK government | 01/04/2022 | £9k | DARPP211:OMO Forest Elephants |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 27/03/2019 | £10k | Changing Places in Wild Spaces |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE BANISTER CHARITABLE TRUST | 4 | £8.5m |
| ROYAL SOCIETY OF WILDLIFE TRUSTS | 4 | £475k |
| JOHN SWIRE 1989 CHARITABLE TRUST | 3 | £108k |
| THE FIDELITY UK FOUNDATION | 2 | £521k |
| THE THOMAS RAWCLIFFE CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | — |
| THE GERRICK ROSE ANIMAL TRUST | 1 | — |
| ASPEN TRUST | 1 | £1.3m |
| THE UNDERWOOD TRUST | 1 | £225k |
Charities like this
- THE WILDHEART TRUST
- WILDWOOD TRUST
- EDEN WILDLIFE TRUST
- WORCESTERSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST
- EARTH TRUST
- HAMPSHIRE AND ISLE OF WIGHT WILDLIFE TRUST
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WILD PLANET TRUST | £13.1m | £160,001 - £170,000 | — | below | — | no doubt |
| THE WILDHEART TRUST | £2.1m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| WILDWOOD TRUST | £4.4m | £90,001 - £100,000 | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| EDEN WILDLIFE TRUST | £126k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| WORCESTERSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST | £2.8m | — | — | below | — | no doubt |
| EARTH TRUST | £2.6m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |