Dim ond yn Saesneg mae’r dudalen hon ar gael ar hyn o bryd.
The weekend of 16th/17th May 2026 was the birthday celebration of the Welsh Mountain Zoo. In conversation I discovered a few interesting stories…some may be more myth, but photographs have confirmed others were absolutely true.
The story, as was told to me was in regard to an elephant being buried at the Mochdre tip…I am yet to find confirmation of this (and I’m not looking too hard either).
Another was elephants bathing in the sea. It seems these were not from the zoo, but were part of a travelling circus. Again there are photographs but I cannot confirm the sea in question was absolutely Colwyn Bay and so no photograph shared (yet).
But, over the years, the zoo did in fact have elephants and a fascinating forum on all things history zoo related in the UK shared the following information:
Five elephants (all female) have been kept at the Welsh Mountain Zoo:
- Blodwyn (Asian) Arrived ca.1963 Died/departed?
- Pwtyn (Asian) Arrived May 1967 Died 26.08.1981
- Melys (Asian) Arrived 03.05.1975 Died 22.03.1981
- Zimba (African) Arrived 14.06.1981 Died 12.07.1995
- Myfanwy (Africa) Arrived 16.06.1983 Moved to Knowsley 24.08.1995 Moved to Blair Drummond 31.10.1995 Died February 1997
Colwyn Bay Promenade also boasted the mechanical elephant. This was a children’s ride, and whilst many seaside resorts had donkey rides on the sands, Colwyn Bay had the beach elephant.
And if you are walking along Colwyn Bay promenade, look out for the concrete postcard that shares this fascinating tidbit of history from the town.
Contributed by Gemma Campbell, Colwyn Bay Heritage Group’s Secretary.