I imagine it's based off the design of the old butterfly house, so they probably used the same heating and cooling system, which never really worked well..
Bristol Zoo Project Bristol zoo project news 2025
- Thread starter Charles
- Start date
Members email just received with info on cheetah swap with Whipsnade:
We recently welcomed two new cheetah brothers, Boma and Nasir, from Whipsnade Zoo. Boma is named after a national park in South Sudan, and Nasir is an Arabic word meaning warrior.
Five-year-old Boma and Nasir have been busy exploring their new home at Bristol Zoo Project. The cheetahs live in a grassy area designed to represent the savannah, where the species live in the wild. The area is landscaped to give the cheetahs little hillocks to hide behind if they'd like to, and they have platforms to climb and lounge on.
Our previous two cheetahs, Jake and Oscar, have moved to Whipsnade as part of a breeding plan to secure the future of their species. Cheetahs are classed as Vulnerable and are found across Eastern and Southern Africa including in Tanzania, where we work to monitor and protect wildlife.
Make sure to 'spot' Boma and Nasir on your next visit!
Charles
Well-Known Member
Visit Bristol • Official tourism organisation for Bristol, UK on Instagram: "Bristol Zoo Project here taking over Visit Bristol for the weekend! Take a look at the latest behind-the-scenes images of our African Forest development The brand new habitat will be opening in spring 2026 and will house threatened species including cherry-crowned mangabeys, African grey parrots, slender-snouted crocodiles and our much-loved gorilla troop #VisitBristol #BristolZoo #SummerInBristol"
Some very good updates, it looks like the African Forest is taking shape very quickly, this is from a recent social media post of some of the areas less visible when visiting
Some very good updates, it looks like the African Forest is taking shape very quickly, this is from a recent social media post of some of the areas less visible when visiting
Cissa-thalassina
Member
Visit Bristol • Official tourism organisation for Bristol, UK on Instagram: "We've got SUCH exciting news to share at Bristol Zoo Project – we have a red panda kit!! ❤️ Born to first-time parents Neora and Laya a month ago, the kit is looking strong and healthy (and very, very cute) The birth represents a huge win for this endangered species, of which there are thought to be as low as 2,500 individuals in the wild The new kit will mostly be kept safe in the nest boxes by its mum until it's a bit older, but some lucky visitors have already spotted it being carried around by Laya! (: BZP staff, Volunteer Anne) #VisitBristol #BristolZoo #SummerInBristol #RedPanda #RedPandaCub"
The zoo has officially announced the birth of a red panda kit to parents Neora and Laya.
The zoo has officially announced the birth of a red panda kit to parents Neora and Laya.
According to an item on BBC local news this last week, a firm called Carpenter Oak who are based in Devon, have been building a large climbing frame structure for the indoor area of the new gorilla display. Unable to display the link here but its mainly the usual stuff about sourcing the oak trunks and the design techniques etc.
It was a good piece on BBC Spotlight and was some good PR for Bristol Zoo, although it was a little confusing not making note of the difference between the two sites, as it showed the gorillas still at BZG and illustrations of the new gorilla islands at BZP. Good promo for the zoo though as it’s not usually seen on our SW TV screens.
The presenter did a classic sign off of saying ‘Well, he didn’t look impressed’ to a photo of a female gorilla.
Yes it was a bit confusing for viewers as to where the gorillas actually were but probably too complicated to explain. I noticed the spokesperson for the Zoo seemed to be American, I missed their title, new CEO perhaps?
I think it was Dr Justin Morris, CEO of Bristol Zoo Project? If so, he’s been there since before the closure of BZG.
Charles
Well-Known Member
Visited today, a couple of updates
the ostriches were shut in the house for my entire visit but the paddock wasn’t being cleaned, the nest is also now gone so fingers crossed
It looks like the African Forest is coming together, the gorilla house looks almost done and the paths are starting to come together
New(ish) species, the Palawan Peacock Pheasants that were in the tropical house are now in with the pink pigeons and Bali starlings, I didn’t see them but they were signed although the avairy I feel may be a little cramped now
there’s a sectioned off part of the large weaver avairy for the turtle doves to lay down without the cranes getting in
wasn’t lucky enough to see the red panda kit but neora (male red panda) was waiting by the box
Finally, there’s a new food outlet “courtyard bbq” the menu looks very tasty, was slig it ly confused why they had it next to the courtyard cafe but nonetheless it’s a good addition
It was pretty busy for a rainy day but hoping for more stuff to come soon
the ostriches were shut in the house for my entire visit but the paddock wasn’t being cleaned, the nest is also now gone so fingers crossed
It looks like the African Forest is coming together, the gorilla house looks almost done and the paths are starting to come together
New(ish) species, the Palawan Peacock Pheasants that were in the tropical house are now in with the pink pigeons and Bali starlings, I didn’t see them but they were signed although the avairy I feel may be a little cramped now
there’s a sectioned off part of the large weaver avairy for the turtle doves to lay down without the cranes getting in
wasn’t lucky enough to see the red panda kit but neora (male red panda) was waiting by the box
Finally, there’s a new food outlet “courtyard bbq” the menu looks very tasty, was slig it ly confused why they had it next to the courtyard cafe but nonetheless it’s a good addition
It was pretty busy for a rainy day but hoping for more stuff to come soon
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That would be Brian Zimmerman, the Director of Conservation and Science if I remember his job title correctly.
Strathmorezoo
Well-Known Member
The zoo is asking the public to name her, from three names that the keepers have suggested.
ASHA ,meaning Hope in Nepali/Sanskrit
BANITA ,meaning Cherished in Nepali/Sanskrit.
MALIKA, meaning Flower Bud in Nepali.
Haliaeetus
Well-Known Member
It's three years ago today(3rd) that the old zoo closed. The gorilla group is still living there, a remarkable state of affairs. Obviously their move to the new enclosure must be imminent
now though potentially remaining off display through the winter.
There has been no further news about the sale of the old site since the Judicial Review that took place back in May. I wonder how long until the outcome of that is made public.
now though potentially remaining off display through the winter.
There has been no further news about the sale of the old site since the Judicial Review that took place back in May. I wonder how long until the outcome of that is made public.
Do any other animals remain on site?
Has any demo work started on the site, or would it upset the apes?
Are they habituated with any visits from people or are they largely left to their own devices?
Is that why they are planned on being effectively 'quarantined' for a long period when they move (hopefully soon)?
Charles
Well-Known Member
I am fairly sure there’s next to no animals left on site now, possibly some reptiles amphibians and invertebrates as well as the gorillas
doesn’t look like there’s any demolition that’s happened so far, but that’s looking from the outside
I think other than the keepers there’s the exclusive gorilla vip experience but I’m not sure how many people buy it
I’m pretty sure they’ll probably be quarantined when they reach the new habitat and likewise with the cherry crowned mangabeys when they move there too
1. I don't think there has been any (?) demolition work yet. Yes, it could possibly upset the gorillas but also the whole site seems to be mothballed until its clear just how its actually going to be used and a/the developers move in.
2. They have posted previously that the gorillas do still see some other people apart from the regular staff. I don't think any VIP experiences are offered there, that is for booking them after they move.
3. I believe this is to allow them to settle and for introduction to the Mangabeys etc to take place. My own opinion is that the adults will not have been stressed by these changes- either by the sudden protracted absence of visitors or their sudden return when they are on show again. As gorillas have good memories I think they will just take the change in their stride.The two male youngsters who have grown up so far in a very quiet environment, might notice the difference intially.
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I would expect the young ones to take their cue from the adults, who’ll just be going, ‘Yeah, people. Seen those before, not very interesting, now where did I put that stick of celery?’