We Bought a Zoo Based on a True Story: What Really Happened

Key Facts at a Glance

What We Bought a Zoo Is Based On

We Bought a Zoo is loosely based on the 2008 memoir by Benjamin Mee titled We Bought a Zoo: A Story of Family, New Beginnings, and Finding the Wonder in the Ordinary. The film dramatizes Mee’s purchase of a struggling zoo near Dartmoor in 2006 and the effort to renovate it while navigating family grief after his wife’s illness. While the movie condenses timelines and amplifies certain conflicts for narrative impact, the core events—buying the site, rebuilding enclosures, and launching a new zoo—are rooted in Mee’s real project with his family.

The Real 2006 Purchase

In December 2006, Benjamin Mee and his family bought Dartmoor Zoological Park, a small zoo in Devon, England. The purchase price was approximately £550,000, equivalent to about $1.15 million USD at the time. The site covered roughly 35 acres and housed a collection of animals that needed significant upgrades to enclosures and care standards. Mee, a columnist and former assistant editor at the Financial Times, undertook the project alongside his children following the death of his wife.

Immediate Changes After the Purchase

• Renovation of existing enclosures to improve animal welfare.
• Expansion of the staff team to include experienced zoological professionals.
• Application for and attainment of a zoo licence, required for continued operation under UK law.

Critical Early Decisions

The first years centered on securing funding, meeting regulatory requirements, and demonstrating to authorities that the zoo could provide appropriate care. The family prioritized animal welfare over rapid expansion, which shaped the zoo’s long-term direction and eventual rebranding as Dartmoor Zoological Park under new management. Understanding the licensing process and working within UK zoo regulations were pivotal to survival.

From Memoir to Movie: What Changed

The film adaptation compresses the timeline of the zoo’s renovation and simplifies complex financial and regulatory hurdles. Characters are combined, and certain dramatic sequences are heightened for emotional effect. For example, the movie’s portrayal of acquiring exotic animals and rapid construction is more accelerated and stylized than the steady, incremental progress that occurred in reality. Recognizing these differences helps viewers separate inspirational storytelling from the practical, years long work of running a zoo.

Operational and Ethical Considerations

Modern zoos operate under strict welfare standards and licensing regimes. The real Dartmoor Zoological Park had to implement best practices in enclosure design, nutrition, veterinary care, and behavioral management. Transparency with visitors and the community became central to rebuilding trust. These elements are often simplified on screen but are essential components of any legitimate zoological operation today.

Legacy and Public Perception

Since the purchase, Dartmoor Zoological Park has remained operational under various management and ownership structures, continuing to house diverse species and contribute to conservation education. The story endures as a case study in small scale, family driven entrepreneurship within the highly regulated zoo sector. It underscores the importance of financial planning, regulatory compliance, and genuine commitment to animal care over spectacle.

Quick Comparison: Film vs. Reality

Takeaway

We Bought a Zoo dramatizes a real family decision to purchase and revitalize a struggling zoo. The core facts—Benjamin Mee’s acquisition in 2006, a 35 acre site near Dartmoor, a purchase price around £550,000, and a focus on meeting zoo licensing standards—are verifiable and instructive. While the film uses narrative license for emotional impact, the underlying commitment to animals, staff, and community reflects the genuine challenges of running a modern zoo.