Barry Zoo , as it was known when it was started up in 1960 , was the brainchild of twins George and Hugh Palmer …. The Zoo was officially opened in 1962 …During the mid 1960’s the name was changed to Cardiff Zoo (but will always be known by locals as Barry Zoo ) …. The Zoo was purely privately owned and fell into financial difficulties … Regrettably it closed it’s doors to the public in 1980