Bristol Zoo Project Bristol zoo project news 2025

Charles said:
View attachment 762054

The zoo have said that the new habitat will be coming early in the year
Click to expand...
If the new ‘habitat’ is located on/near the Leap of Faith area, will that not be temporary, given that the Rhino area will be located there - I think?
It also states ‘species not seen before at BZP…’, do they mean Bristol Zoo, as not many species at all have been exhibited on the Cribbs Project site?
I think it will be a Butterfly walk through or temporary hot house for reptiles, but I could be way off the mark! All I know is, with the Gorilla area not opening until next year, locals will be attracted towards Noah’s, perhaps, until more flagship species arrive.
 
TriUK said:
If the new ‘habitat’ is located on/near the Leap of Faith area, will that not be temporary, given that the Rhino area will be located there - I think?
It also states ‘species not seen before at BZP…’, do they mean Bristol Zoo, as not many species at all have been exhibited on the Cribbs Project site?
I think it will be a Butterfly walk through or temporary hot house for reptiles, but I could be way off the mark! All I know is, with the Gorilla area not opening until next year, locals will be attracted towards Noah’s, perhaps, until more flagship species arrive.
Click to expand...
Well, the rhino was intended to arrive this year...
I don't think it's necessarily being opened on the former site of the Leap of Faith but certainly it can't be any of the masterplan species. A temporary exhibit seems most likely to me too.

What I will say, as a fairly frequent visitor to both collections, is that though Noah's Ark has a far superior collection and some superb exhibitry (especially for the elephants) even in the shrunken state it currently is BZP is still to me the better place to visit. Perhaps it's inherent bias towards what is the 'true' Bristol zoo, but I think the site has something especially in its exhibitry that an extensive ABC collection can't match on its own. It also helps that it's closer to central Bristol and advertised quite literally at every bus stop in Somerset
 
The rhino area is intended to be where the red. River hogs, Congo bongo play area and leap of faith are

I doubt that it will be there, my thoughts are possibly something arriving to join the giraffes as they redid the fencing despite there being nothing particularly wrong with it before (from rocks and electric fence to just mesh and fence)

the ostriches moving to the giraffe area and something going where they are

Or an area on the right of leap of faith which is currently a picnic area but could be good for a small species
 
In a newsletter posted out last year there was mention of an existing building being converted for some ectotherms. At least that's my recollection of it, but I've since thrown the newsletter away so can't check.
I don't know what building it could have referred to either but maybe some of the small turtle species formally kept at the zoo are on their way.
 
Bristol Zoo Project on Instagram: "⚠️ PLEASE SHARE! Ahead of the gorilla troop's move to their new home at Bristol Zoo Project, we've unfortunately been dealing with break ins at the old Bristol Zoo Gardens site, where the gorillas are still cared for by our wonderful keepers Although our heightened security has ensured the recent trespassers haven't been able to get near the gorillas, each time a break in happens, the alarms are set off, which causes a lot of distress to the group. We're asking our supporters to share this video in order to raise awareness of the harm that continued break ins are causing to the gorillas, and to help combat misinformation that the Bristol Zoo Gardens site is empty Thank you for your support, and we (and the gorillas!) look forward to seeing you at their new home at Bristol Zoo Project in 2026 #BristolZoo #BristolZooGorilla"

The zoo have posted on their Instagram more information about the break ins and how they’ve been affecting the gorillas

they’ve asked people to share it so that the word gets round more so about how these break ins are affecting them

it’s shocking that people still think it’s ok despite it being obviously distressing and obviously illegal

However they did say in the video that they’re hoping the gorillas can move into their new home around summer time
 
About the gorillas's and other animals,left behind at the old zoo site. i get they are waiting 'temporararily' to be re-homed when either their enclosures at the zoo project,or a new home at a new zoo,is available. but still,it sits a little uncomfortable with me,that the poor things were left behind in a closed zoo,getting distressed by idiots breaking in. Albeit,it makes it easy that they are at least,being cared for,diligently.
 
Eric said:
I recently read in the local news,that the Gorilla's,amongst other animals,still left behind at the old Bristol Zoo's Clifton site,were left distressed after a series of intruder break-ins. I'm disappointed that animals were casually left behind after it's closure,..like leaving a few bits of unwanted furniture behind,at your old house,when you move out. Yes, i get they are waiting 'temporararily' to be re-homed when either their enclosure at the zoo project,or a new home at a new zoo,is available. but still,it sits a little uncomfortable with me.
Click to expand...
The Gorilla troop were not ‘casually’ left behind. A dedicated & skilled group of keepers remained with them and are still there. If anything, they have had peace away from the public and the staff will have been able to organise the troops routines without guests/visitors needs. Break-ins to city zoos can happen at any institution, at night, whether they’re closed or not.
 
TriUK said:
The Gorilla troop were not ‘casually’ left behind. A dedicated & skilled group of keepers remained with them and are still there. If anything, they have had peace away from the public and the staff will have been able to organise the troops routines without guests/visitors needs. Break-ins to city zoos can happen at any institution, at night, whether they’re closed or not.
Click to expand...
It's actually a rather unusual situationt that I haven't come across before. A gorilla group living in a closed zoo for what will be the best part of three years while their new housing is built. I don't think the zoo planned it quite this way. Perhaps the time frame has been extended by delays in selling the zoo site being longer than expected but I 'm surprised they didn't start the new build earlier than they have done, knowing they would be moving them.
 
Pertinax said:
It's actually a rather unusual situationt that I haven't come across before. A gorilla group living in a closed zoo for what will be the best part of three years while their new housing is built. I don't think the zoo planned it quite this way. Perhaps the time frame has been extended by delays in selling the zoo site being longer than expected but I 'm surprised they didn't start the new build earlier than they have done, knowing they would be moving them.
Click to expand...
I agree, I’m sure it’s just all down to finances & planning logistics?
 
TriUK said:
I agree, I’m sure it’s just all down to finances & planning logistics?
Click to expand...
I can only assume they thought sale of the old zoo site would happen a lot quicker than looks to be the case. It seems bogged down by objections and legal issues. These could continue for who knows how long. I suspect all other animals left long ago now. Of course Gorillas like all Apes need expensive accomodation which is a much bigger financial undertaking than anything else previously constructed at the new site. But I can't help wondering why at least the preparation and foundation work wasn't started as soon as the closure of the old zoo was announced, which possibly would have allowed completion sooner. An old zoo lying empty of its animals (apart from one building) is bound to attract curiosity and possibly vandalism form certain sectors and I doubt videos appealing against trespass like this will really help in stopping the tiny minority who might be tempted to do this. The warnings about CCTV etc might help a bit though.
 
Last edited:
TriUK said:
If the new ‘habitat’ is located on/near the Leap of Faith area, will that not be temporary, given that the Rhino area will be located there - I think?
It also states ‘species not seen before at BZP…’, do they mean Bristol Zoo, as not many species at all have been exhibited on the Cribbs Project site?
I think it will be a Butterfly walk through or temporary hot house for reptiles, but I could be way off the mark! All I know is, with the Gorilla area not opening until next year, locals will be attracted towards Noah’s, perhaps, until more flagship species arrive.
Click to expand...

Confirmed on visit today that the old butterfly poly tunnel from BZ will be moving to BZP to go on cleared site of Leap of Faith. Will not hold butterflies but free flying birds and (the advertised?) reptiles at the end.
 
A-ha, I was right, in part. That’s good news and make good strategic sense until the next building phase. I wonder if they’ll go the Rainbow Lorikeet route, or stick to their guns and only include species they’ve identified in their master plan?
 
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top