New at Newquay Zoo: Meet our mysterious, mischievous brown hyenas!

Looking for something wildly different to do this summer? You’re in luck – two very special new residents have just arrived at Newquay Zoo… and they’re unlike anything you’ve ever seen before.

Meet Flo and Quinn – a brother and sister duo who might just be the UK’s most mysterious new arrivals. With scruffy coats, pointy ears and a habit of sniffing absolutely everything, these animals look like they’ve stepped straight out of a storybook – but they’re very real – and incredibly rare. In fact, brown hyenas are one of the least-known carnivores on the planet. And now, you can see them right here in Cornwall.

So… what is a brown hyena?

Great question. Most people haven’t heard of them – and if you’re picturing the loud, laughing hyenas from The Lion King, think again.

Brown hyenas are desert-dwelling scavengers from southern Africa. They’re built for survival, with shaggy manes, super-strong jaws and an incredible sense of smell. In their natural habitat, they roam for miles through sandy deserts and grassy plains, sniffing out scraps and cleaning up the landscape. Locals in Namibia call them “strandwolf” – the beach wolf – because they’re often spotted wandering along the coastline in search of leftovers.

At first glance, Flo and Quinn might look a little scruffy. But don’t be fooled – these are smart, social animals with a vital job to do. They’re nature’s clean-up crew, munching on old bones, eggs and ostrich poo (yes, really!) to keep their environment healthy. In fact, their powerful jaws are strong enough to crunch straight through bone – even as babies!

Why are they so rare?

Brown hyenas are incredibly hard to spot in the wild. They’re shy, mostly nocturnal, and live in some of the most remote areas of Africa. Scientists estimate there are may as few as 4,365 left across the whole continent. That makes Flo and Quinn two of the rarest animals in the UK – and Newquay Zoo is now one of the only places in the country where you can see them.

Sadly, life for wild hyenas isn’t easy. They often clash with farmers who mistake them for dangerous predators (when in reality, they’re more likely to steal a snack than chase down livestock). Add habitat loss and climate change into the mix, and these scavengers need our help more than ever.

That’s where you come in…

Every visit to Newquay Zoo helps protect wildlife

Newquay Zoo is part of Wild Planet Trust, a conservation charity that supports vital work across southern Africa – including projects that protect hyenas, big cats, rhinos and more. By visiting the zoo, you’re directly supporting this work and helping us protect incredible animals like Flo and Quinn for future generations.

You’ll also be helping to raise awareness of a species that’s often misunderstood. These animals aren’t the villains of the animal kingdom – they’re survivors, playing a key role in keeping ecosystems clean and balanced.

So bring the kids, meet the hyenas, and become a wildlife hero for the day!

Plan your wild summer day out

A visit to see Flo and Quinn is just the beginning of your adventure! Here’s what else is on at Newquay Zoo this summer…

Step into the wild with our brand-new immersive VR experience! Pop on a headset and dive into an immersive 360° wildlife encounter that brings you eye-to-eye with some of the world’s most extraordinary animals. It’s the closest you’ll get to a safari without leaving Cornwall!

Then get ready to embark on an incredible journey to ‘Explore the World in a Day’ right here at Newquay Zoo. This summer-long expedition takes you on an unforgettable tour of our incredible animals and amazing ecosystems. Gaze across the African Savannah, where zebras and black wildebeest roam, take a tour around Madagascar to meet our playful lemurs, chill by the South American penguin pool, or find a moment of calm in our tranquil Oriental Garden, home to our splash-happy otters…there’s so much to discover!

Don’t forget to grab your passport-style activity booklet at the entrance and follow our interactive trail, discovering the epic journeys animals make around the world – from great migrations to species bouncing back from the brink of extinction. Complete your trail, collect your stamps and become a certified zoo explorer!

Whether you’re a local family on the hunt for your next favourite hangout or visiting the seaside on your holidays and looking for the best family day out, Newquay Zoo is bursting with adventure, animal magic and real-life conservation in action –  right in the heart of Cornwall.