First details of new Bristol Zoo revealed

The specifics of the new, relocated Bristol Zoo set to open in early 2024 have been revealed.

Described by Bristol Zoological Society as a “world-class” zoo with a “ground-breaking” visitor experience, the new zoo will be home to some of the world’s most critically-endangered species from the UK and beyond.

In 2020, news broke that the zoo would be moving from its Clifton home of 185 years to the outskirts of the city – the current site of the Wild Place Project near Cribbs Causeway.

This came after owners and operators of both the historic zoo and Wild Place Project, Bristol Zoological Society, disclosed that the much-loved attraction on the edge of the Downs was no longer financially viable.

Since then, a flurry of media attention, as well as local outcry, has encircled the decision to relocate and debates over the future of the Clifton site have ensued.

“We will lead the way in terms of conservation”, said Zimmerman – photo courtesy of Bristol Zoological Society

Brian Zimmerman, director of conservation and science at Bristol Zoological Society, said: “Our new Bristol Zoo will set the standard for a modern, forward-looking zoo for the 21st century.”

The society aims to “lead the way” in terms of conservation and sustainability within a zoo environment, striving for more than 78 per cent of its species to be linked to conservation work, more than any other zoo in the UK. According to them, this figure could increase to 90 per cent by 2035.

Potential highlights of the former Wild Place Project include a new Central African Forests area to home a new group of endangered cherry-crowned mangabey monkeys and a newly-created conservation breeding centre to house threatened species of rare tortoises and turtles and tarictic hornbills.

Tarictic hornbills will feature at the new attraction near junction 17 of the M5 – photo courtesy of Bristol Zoological Society

“The new Bristol Zoo will ensure future generations of children can come face-to-face with amazing animals in nature, and that our charity continues its critical conservation and education work, to protect at-risk species and habitats.”, said Dr Justin Morris, chief executive of Bristol Zoological Society.

Morris previously said that the zoo made a loss in four of the past six years of operation, and 2020 had been “by far the most challenging year the society has faced”.

Meanwhile, avenues being explored by various players for the first Bristol Zoo’s site are as varied as public gardens, housing developments and a virtual reality attraction.

In September 2021, Clifton and Hotwells Improvement Society successfully applied for the site to become an Asset of Community Value, in what Chris Jefferies, joint planning coordinator, said is a bid to “safeguard the historic site for future generations”.

Approval by Bristol City council has created the right for the community to bid on the site if it is put up for sale between now and 2026.

Their ambitious vision to shape the site’s future is to reinvent it as a virtual visitor attraction by supporting OurWorld‘s proposals.

Public consultation on the plans for the new Bristol Zoo will take place in early February 2022 ahead of a planning application in the spring.

Main photo: Bristol Zoo

Read more: Jonathon Dimbleby backs alternative proposals for Bristol Zoo site

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