First look at the new Bristol Zoo as images and animal plan are revealed

Exciting CGI images of the new Bristol Zoo have been released today (Wednesday 22 February), revealing that visitors will be immersed in nature from the moment they set foot inside.

Pictures of the first phase of the new zoo, which will be developed at Bristol Zoological Society’s Wild Place Project site, show plans for a central African forests area, home to the Western lowland gorilla troop from Bristol Zoo Gardens; a conservation learning campus, where visitors will be able to see scientists up close at work; and a stunning new wild entrance.

The new zoo will be home to some of the world’s most threatened species to reflect the vital conservation work that Bristol Zoological Society does with species and habitats around the world.

Along with the Critically Endangered gorilla troop, the new central African forests area will be home to several Endangered and Critically Endangered species, including a new group of cherry-crowned mangabey monkeys, African grey parrots, slender-snouted crocodiles and several extremely rare species of West African fish, which visitors will be able to see in a new underwater viewing area.

Images also show plans for a new conservation campus at the heart of the zoo, which will have purpose-built facilities for undergraduate and postgraduate conservation students to study, along with a conservation medicine centre, providing modern veterinary facilities to ensure the highest standards of animal welfare.

From the moment they arrive at the zoo, visitors will enter an immersive wild experience. A brand new entrance area is planned, including a new red panda exhibit as well as updated facilities including a gift shop and restaurant. 

Dr Justin Morris, Chief Executive of Bristol Zoological Society, said: “We’re excited to share these images of the new Bristol Zoo. They show how animals will have the space to thrive and future generations will come face-to-face with amazing animals in nature, as well as learn more about our charity’s critical conservation and education work, to protect at-risk species and habitats.”

Bristol Zoological Society has also shared more details about the animals that will be part of the first phase of the new Bristol Zoo.

The Society has developed an animal species plan, so that its resources are focused on 76 species that are most in need of protection, to meet its mission of Saving Wildlife Together.

A number of tools were used to create the species plan including the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which produces the Red List of globally threatened species.

In the first phase, around 80 per cent of the species at the new Bristol Zoo will be linked to the Society’s conservation programmes around the world, living in spaces more closely reflecting their natural habitats.

The Society’s target by 2035, its bicentenary year, is for 90% of species to be linked to its conservation work - with more species planned to arrive over a number of years.
Bristol Zoological Society carries out conservation projects in four continents across the world, and species under threat in these areas are also part of the plan, in addition to the 76 species planned for the first phase of the new zoo.

Brian Zimmerman, Director of Conservation and Science at Bristol Zoological Society, said: “We’ve developed our animal species plan so that we can really focus our resources on animals that most need our help, and maximise the impact we make to the conservation of wildlife.”

50 species will be moving from Bristol Zoo Gardens. Animals moving from Bristol Zoo Gardens to the new Bristol Zoo at Wild Place Project include: the Western lowland gorillas, blue-eyed black lemurs, Polynesian tree snails, Mindanao bleeding heart dove, Tarictic hornbill, Socorro dove, European turtle dove, turquoise gecko, lemur leaf frog and Corfu killifish.

New species will also then be moving to the new Bristol Zoo from other zoos and aquariums around the world as part of well-established, cooperative breeding programmes. These include: two black rhinoceros, North African red necked ostrich and Grevy’s zebra.

Construction of the new Bristol Zoo is expected to begin in 2024 and will be phased over a number of years with Wild Place Project remaining open throughout.