Bristol Zoo Project Bristol zoo project news 2024

Is the Parrot/Crocodile house a seperate building? I don't know if this means completion of the Gorilla enclosure itself will also be delayed, or whether it will be completed next year and they move in, but just not opened to the public until the year after. Or they might change their minds again...

The press release doesn’t say either way. If it is, theoretically, I see no reason why the gorillas couldn’t be moved across from Clifton within the original timeframe and left to acclimatise off-show
 
The article does say the former okapi stable is due to be demolished so I suppose it depends on whatever is planned to go where it currently is.

The downside of how open and transparent the zoo has been about their future plans is that when things outside of their control, such as this, cause delays it creates more PR work for the zoo. I think it is therefore important to commend them on their openness.
 
The press release doesn’t say either way. If it is, theoretically, I see no reason why the gorillas couldn’t be moved across from Clifton within the original timeframe and left to acclimatise off-show
I think this is what the article is hinting at, the house for the Grey Parrots and Slender Snouted Crocodiles is indeed a separate building, so it should only be that that has had a delay in construction. For the Gorillas, this seems to just mean longer for them to settle in to their new enclosure and Cherry Crowned Mangabey housemates, and in general longer for the planting in the area to grow in. Perhaps there are some other delays that have also contributed to this?
 
The article does say the former okapi stable is due to be demolished so I suppose it depends on whatever is planned to go where it currently is.

.

It actually says the demolition was 'delayed until the birds left in late summer' so maybe it has gone by now. Not sure just how much difference this makes to their total scheduled build time though. The timeframe could also depend to an extent on what is happening regarding the sale of the old zoo site too. Though in reality I dread to think how long that might take and before they resolve all the issues surrounding the future development of the site etc. It could take years yet.
 
Last edited:
The press release doesn’t say either way. If it is, theoretically, I see no reason why the gorillas couldn’t be moved across from Clifton within the original timeframe and left to acclimatise off-show

The info on the website clearly states that the gorillas will be moved in 2025 when their enclosure is completed, with the whole development not opening to the public until 2026:

“After careful consideration, we now plan to open the completed Central African Forest habitat to the public in spring 2026, a date that will give us more time for both the animals to acclimatise to their new homes and the landscape to establish and mature.

While the full habitat will open to visitors in Spring 2026, the gorilla home will be completed ahead of this, so that we can move the animals from the old Bristol Zoo Gardens and vacate the Clifton site as planned in 2025.”

A real shame we’ll have to wait longer, and a pain for Bristol trying to attract more visitors, but these delays usually happen with such big projects.
 
The press release doesn’t say either way. If it is, theoretically, I see no reason why the gorillas couldn’t be moved across from Clifton within the original timeframe and left to acclimatise off-show

That appears to be the intention according to this release but will create an unusual situation where the Gorillas are lliving there for several months in advance of the official opening but still not visible to the public, though how they will prevent that if they are outdoors I'm not sure. Whole area screened off? And I imagine visitors will be clamouring to see them anyway. An odd state of affairs.
 
Last edited:
They seem to have arrived last year in November 2023.

Nice elaborate feature on the in situ work in Sahamaleza and surrounding villages where through community projects and participation reforestation between different forest blocks and 3 participating villages is taking place. The Bristol Zoo sponsored project is specifically with local Malagasy involvement and holistically achieve in situ conservation effectiveness as well as provide alternative income generation for the local Malagasy villages adjoining the National Park.
 
Membership email received states:

We are really excited to be able to share with you, our members, that there will be new animals arriving in 2025, including a number of reptiles in a new indoor home.

Details on the ectotherm species coming to Bristol Zoo Project are to be confirmed in the coming months, and we will ensure that you are the first to hear about any other zoo developments.
 
Membership email received states:

We are really excited to be able to share with you, our members, that there will be new animals arriving in 2025, including a number of reptiles in a new indoor home.

Details on the ectotherm species coming to Bristol Zoo Project are to be confirmed in the coming months, and we will ensure that you are the first to hear about any other zoo developments.
When will they announce anything?

Is this not also about slender-snouted crocodiles Mecistops cataphractus?
 
When will they announce anything?

Is this not also about slender-snouted crocodiles Mecistops cataphractus?
I don’t think they’ll announce anything until it’s close to be ready, all I got from it is that blue spotted tree monitors (Varanus macraei) were the picture they used for the email so it’s likely they’ll be there which will be good as I think they were quite a noteable species with the BZG reptile house
 
Just heard on the radio that a "mysterious creature "has been photographed in bear wood. Anyone seen the photo ,or is it to generate Halloween for the zoo ?
 
Perhaps I’m not in touch with the ghoulies and ghosties these days but looks like a Muntjac to me.
 
Back
Top