Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
What are the chances that the Livingstone's fruit bats will make the move to wildplace too ?
Bristol Zoo (Closed) Bristol Zoo - 2022 planned closure of current site, and relocation to Wild Place site.
- Thread starter oflory
- Start date
Well maybe they could relocate that enormous underused aviary-type structure mentioned earlier in the thread and put them in that, creating an even bigger walkthrough- or maybe its already earmarked as a walkthrough bird aviary perhaps.
I’d love to see them develop a circular flight tunnel like Jersey! Imagine that through those ancient woods!
Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
I certainly hope they do this with these bats as it would be such a shame to lose them.
Yes, that would be amazing I agree!
Although I know plans are subject to change, I do remember that the original plan for the National Wildlife Conservation Park (now Wild Place) included an indoor tropical dome for Livingstone's flying foxes and mongoose lemurs, attached to an Indian Ocean coral reef display.
In an exchange on Twitter I saw them say ‘we will be relocating SOME of our animals.’ I get the feeling they will be going down the ‘larger animal’ route at WP.
I hope they relocate the lions to the former wolf paddock ASAP but they may have other plans for that large enclosure. I just hope they start being less secretive as they have never really shared their plans.
I hope they relocate the lions to the former wolf paddock ASAP but they may have other plans for that large enclosure. I just hope they start being less secretive as they have never really shared their plans.
Here are some FAQs on the move - quite a few in fact. Don't think it's been shared here yet.
FAQs about our future | Bristol Zoo
FAQs about our future | Bristol Zoo
There's a monitor lizard on the phase one 'mood board' (https://bristolzoo.org.uk/cmsassets/body/Our-Future/BZS-Our-Future-Mood-Boards.pdf). I wouldn't count any chickens just yet.
I also wouldn't count any chickens yet, regarding smaller species at the new site.
Certainly, again going back to the original plans for the National Wildlife Conservation Park, it seemed they planned to also have a pretty strong collection of reptiles, amphibians, fishes and invertebrates (I certainly remember seeing gharial, American crocodiles, Comoro flap-nosed chameleons, gaboon vipers and mound-building termites mentioned among other species), it was just that they would be in geographically-delineated areas rather than a specific single house.
In a more recent interview given by Wild Place staff to the BBC Wildlife magazine, it was said that a reptile or nocturnal house was not in the plans for the site because Bristol Zoo is doing them so well. I wonder if, in light of recent events, those plans will change.
Certainly, again going back to the original plans for the National Wildlife Conservation Park, it seemed they planned to also have a pretty strong collection of reptiles, amphibians, fishes and invertebrates (I certainly remember seeing gharial, American crocodiles, Comoro flap-nosed chameleons, gaboon vipers and mound-building termites mentioned among other species), it was just that they would be in geographically-delineated areas rather than a specific single house.
In a more recent interview given by Wild Place staff to the BBC Wildlife magazine, it was said that a reptile or nocturnal house was not in the plans for the site because Bristol Zoo is doing them so well. I wonder if, in light of recent events, those plans will change.
The Hedgehog
Well-Known Member
There's a monitor lizard on the phase one 'mood board' (https://bristolzoo.org.uk/cmsassets/body/Our-Future/BZS-Our-Future-Mood-Boards.pdf). I wouldn't count any chickens just yet.
Does anyone know when the construction for phase 1 will begin? Does anybody think that any species that are not on the mood board for phase 1 will move to the NEW Bristol Zoo as part of this phase?
Kind regards @The Hedgehog
Some time before 2024 is honestly all we know right now.
If it were me and I had free choice I'd want to be able to move the gorillas (and maybe lions - assuming they're staying) at the very least straight to the new site when the Clifton one closes to the public, but we don't know if that will happen. It's much to early to say.
As to other species, the mood boards are to give an idea of the kind of things to expect from each phase. They certainly won't be exhaustive (or indeed binding!). I only called attention to the lizard as it does indicate that some reptiles at least are part of the plan as it stands.
I don’t recall the fencing of the old WP wolf enclosure being suitable for lions, although the woodland setting would be great & would in some way resemble Gir?
The Giant Tortoise would be a fairly easy move once indoor housing was built.
Red Panda, most smaller primates & Kea could be moved fairly easily.
Does the WP site have a lake (I know there are some smaller ponds) - thinking flamingos?
The Hedgehog
Well-Known Member
@TriUK could A new Lionproff fence be built around the former Wolf enclosure? This might be easier said than done but could the fences from the current Bristol Zoo’s Asiatic Lion enclosure be relocated to WP?
I think it’s worth remembering that there is a long time scale for this project and they will be able to take their time depending on what resources are available to them as the closure of the Clifton site approaches.
The zoo isn’t closing overnight with a rush to get everything out on time.
The zoo isn’t closing overnight with a rush to get everything out on time.
I would be fairly confident in saying the most logical pathway would be for the gorillas to move directly to WP. I am less sure of 2 lions moving here (they could easily be sent to another UK collection instead). Building 2 major exhibits at WP in the space of 1 year seems fairly ambitious.
Your first option might be more likely. If the Lions do move( I think they would be very wise to keep them) and they chose the wolf enclosure as a quick/ready made enclosure , a new fence would not be difficult to construct. The existing enclosure at the zoo is just a cage really- you couldn't use those materials.
With the gorillas rehousing will have to be done from scratch- presumably this will be the first 'major exhibit' they talk about in the FAQ's. I think they would be very wise to keep the Lions...big draw... perhaps as others have suggested, either as permanent or a more temporary measure, they could put the Lions in the old wolf enclosure- with renewed fencing obviously- + maybe it would need new den provision. But all that wouldn't be anything like as major an undertaking as building a completely new and permanent gorilla exhibit will be.
They have said
As part of the first phase of the development of the new Bristol Zoo, we will work with experts including the Highways Authority to ensure traffic is fully considered.
and
It is important to us as a conservation charity that we are able to offer sustainable transport solutions for our visitors. As part of this, and to ensure that those without cars can visit the new Bristol Zoo, we will work with public transport providers to develop practical solutions. We are in the early stages of planning for the new Bristol Zoo, but there are already plans in place to improve public transport near J17 (linked to the YTL Arena Bristol development) and we will ensure that there are viable transport solutions for visitors to the new Bristol Zoo.