"We bought a zoo" sounds like a fantasy line, but for one English family it became a literal proposition after a tragedy. Based loosely on Benjamin Mee’s memoir, the film dramatizes the purchase of Dartmoor Zoological Park and the challenge of running a struggling zoo while grieving. This evergreen explainer separates what happened in the true story from cinematic storytelling, focusing on verified facts, key players, and the real sequence of events that unfolded at the zoo.
What Actually Happened: The Core True Story
In 2006, Benjamin Mee, a British newspaper columnist, purchased Dartmoor Zoological Park in Devon, England, with his two young children. The zoo had been closed by the zoo licensing authority due to animal welfare and safety concerns, and the property was sold at a price far below its potential value if renovated and relicensed. Mee’s motivation was both emotional and practical: he needed a fresh start after the death of his wife and believed the zoo could become a sanctuary for animals and a future livelihood for his family. The core narrative—buying a derelict zoo and rebuilding it—is real, although the film streamlines many operational and personal details for dramatic effect.
Key Figures in the Real Buy
The people behind the true story differ in some respects from their cinematic portrayals, but their roles in the zoo’s revival are well documented.
- Benjamin Mee: Author of the memoir and driving force behind the purchase; he transitioned from columnist to full-time zoo operator.
- Daisy Mee: Benjamin’s sister, who co-managed the zoo and appears frequently in on-camera interviews about the early challenges.
- Peter Dadzie: A key zoo consultant brought in to address animal care, enclosure standards, and licensing requirements.
- Julie Christie: A major financial backer and supporter of the project, providing capital to fund critical upgrades.
Timeline of Verified Events
Below is a concise, source-anchored timeline summarizing the most important verified milestones for the real zoo and family.
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 2005–2006 | Dartmoor Zoological Park fails licensing and is ordered to close. | Created the opportunity for a low-cost purchase but required extensive renovation to meet welfare standards. |
| 2006 | Benjamin Mee purchases the zoo and surrounding land. | Marks the start of the family’s full-time commitment to saving the zoo. |
| 2007–2009 | Major enclosure redesign, species care improvements, and licensing reapplication. | Essential to achieving compliance with the British Zoo Association and local authorities. |
| 2010 | Dartmoor Zoological Park reopens to the public under new management. | Validates the family’s years of work and establishes the zoo as a continuing operation. |
| 2010 onward | Ongoing operation, accreditation progress, and media attention. | Illustrates the long-term reality of running a zoo versus the condensed narrative in the film. |
Film vs. Reality: Key Differences
While We Bought a Zoo captures the emotional arc of starting over, it takes liberties that are common in biographical storytelling. Below is a concise comparison of notable divergences between the film and verified accounts.
- Scale of renovation: The film implies a relatively quick transformation, whereas the real zoo required years of planning, fundraising, and phased improvements.
- Animal acquisitions: Some animals featured prominently in the movie were added for narrative purposes; the real zoo’s collection grew more gradually and strategically to meet conservation and educational goals.
- Family dynamics: On-screen relationships are condensed or dramatized; in real life, the family’s documented experience involved more extended collaboration with zoo staff and consultants.
- Financial backing: The film simplifies funding sources; in practice, the family coordinated multiple supporters and navigated complex budgeting to keep the project afloat.
Daily Operations After the Purchase
Running a zoo is less about dramatic gestures and more about meticulous routines, specialized staff, and constant problem-solving. In the real Dartmoor Zoological Park, Benjamin Mee and his team prioritized animal welfare, staff training, and incremental upgrades to enclosures. Feeding schedules, veterinary care, keeper notes, and compliance checklists became the backbone of the operation. This steady, unglamorous work is where the long-term sustainability of the zoo was secured, long before any headlines celebrated its reopening.
Accreditation and Long-Term Viability
Accreditation from national and regional zoo authorities is a make-or-break factor for any zoo aspiring to operate legally and ethically. After the purchase, Dartmoor Zoological Park pursued formal accreditation pathways, aligning enclosures, record-keeping, and husbandry practices with recognized standards. Progress has been incremental, and the zoo continues to work toward higher benchmarks of animal care, public safety, and conservation education. This long road illustrates that a single inspiring buy is only the beginning of sustainable zoo management.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the We Bought a Zoo story entirely accurate? The broad arc—buying a struggling zoo and reopening it after significant work—is true, but specific scenes and timelines are dramatized.
- Where is Dartmoor Zoological Park located? It is situated in Devon, England, on land near Dartmoor National Park.
- Are the animals in the movie the same as the real zoo? No; the film uses select animals for narrative impact, while the real zoo built its collection methodically to meet licensing and conservation needs.
- What challenges did the family face beyond the animals? They navigated financial constraints, staffing hurdles, regulatory requirements, and the emotional weight of continuing a public-facing operation after a personal loss.
- Is the zoo still operating today? Yes, Dartmoor Zoological Park remains open and continues to pursue accreditation and improved animal care standards.
Takeaway
The true story behind "We bought a zoo" is one of resilience, incremental progress, and the demanding realities of animal care. While the film captures emotional truth, the actual history is defined by years of detailed planning, regulatory compliance, and dedicated teamwork. Understanding these distinctions helps audiences appreciate both the power of a compelling narrative and the disciplined work required to run a zoo responsibly.