The Wild Place Project in South Gloucestershire has officially become the Bristol Zoo Project.
Bristol Zoo Gardens in Clifton, the fifth oldest zoo in the world, closed in September last year after 186 years. The new name for the new Bristol Zoo was revealed in April.
Construction at the 136-acre Bristol Zoo Project will start next year, with the new zoo growing and evolving over several years.
Via Bristol Live, the first phase will be the development of a Central African forest habitat, home to the zoo’s troop of western lowland gorillas.
New zoo to expand and evolve
“Here, they will live with a new group of endangered cherry-crowned mangabey monkeys in an immersive woodland exhibit, reflecting their natural habitat as closely as possible,” said a spokesperson for the Bristol Zoo Project.
She added: “The area will also include endangered African grey parrots, as well as critically endangered slender-snouted crocodiles and extremely rare species of West African fish, which visitors will be able to see in a new underwater viewing area.
“The launch today comes at a pivotal time in [Bristol Zoological Society’s] 188-year history, as it starts a journey to build a new conservation zoo at the Bristol Zoo Project, where around 80 percent of animals will be linked to its conservation work.
“Construction at the site is expected to start in 2024 and will include the creation of new spaces for animals with new species, visitor facilities, exciting play areas and a conservation campus for students, vets, and the breeding of threatened animals.”
In April, Bristol councillors approved the controversial plans to build 196 new homes on the site of Bristol Zoo Gardens despite public opposition. The sale of the 12-acre site will help pay for the new zoo.
“We have been running a zoo in Bristol since 1836, so the name ‘Bristol Zoo Project’ reflects our past. But it also reflects our future. This is more than a zoo. It is a ‘project’ with our visitors, partners and supporters to save wildlife together,” added Bristol Zoological Society’s chief executive Justin Morris.
