Bristol Zoo (Closed) Bristol Zoo news 2012

Its not been mentioned but photos have been posted of some of the exhibits and a sign explaining a bit about what was still to come.
http://www.zoochat.com/55/killer-shrimp-270655/
http://www.zoochat.com/55/zebra-mussel-270654/
http://www.zoochat.com/55/sign-new-exhibit-270418/

Thanks. I knew I'd seen something about it somewhere. :)

I think that this new exhibit has the potential to be very important, showing people what the damaging species to the local environment can be.
 
Interesting that the 'artistic' drawing looks to significantly alter the outer appearance of what is a Listed Building. But its a much needed development to give them a lot more indoor space.

The article also says they have had Gorillas at the Zoo for 14 years, I think they rather mean in this house...;)
 
I quite like to refurbishment plans for both the indoor and immediate outdoor of the old Gorilla House (of 14 years).
 
Interesting that the 'artistic' drawing looks to significantly alter the outer appearance of what is a Listed Building. But its a much needed development to give them a lot more indoor space.

The article also says they have had Gorillas at the Zoo for 14 years, I think they rather mean in this house...;)

The outer appearance won't change - that picture is a cutaway (although they should have made that clear). They are just modifying the old okapi area for the gorillas - look at the floorplan on this page 6 bedroom detached house for sale in Bristol Zoo Bristol,, BS8

The full plans are on the Bristol Planning website 11/04435/LA | Repair of the present Gorilla and Okapi House, formerly known as the Elephant and Giraffe House, and its conversion into a Gorilla House. Extension for the zoo's gorilla and mammal keepers. | Bristol Zoo Gardens Guthrie Road Bristol

Alan
 
Thankyou for posting Alan. So it seems there will be 'two tier' viewing indoors with a raised 'gallery' viewing area.

I can see from these plans they have had to be very careful not to alter the existing exterior appearance of the old House, though the original access doors into the Giraffe/Okapi outdoor area will now be converted into big strengthened glass windows, presumably similar to the ones in the existing extension facing the Island. The area between the Pygmy Hippo house and the entrance to the 'Coasts' exhibit will also become built up as a quite extensive staff/service area.

This must be one of the few Gorilla exhibits where a modern exhibit is contained within such an old listed building, making planning more complicated than usual.
 
Thankyou for posting Alan. So it seems there will be 'two tier' viewing indoors with a raised 'gallery' viewing area.

I can see from these plans they have had to be very careful not to alter the existing exterior appearance of the old House, though the original access doors into the Giraffe/Okapi outdoor area will now be converted into big strengthened glass windows, presumably similar to the ones in the existing extension facing the Island. The area between the Pygmy Hippo house and the entrance to the 'Coasts' exhibit will also become built up as a quite extensive staff/service area.

This must be one of the few Gorilla exhibits where a modern exhibit is contained within such an old listed building, making planning more complicated than usual.

I don't read the plans quite like this:
the viewing area will be a steel and glass tunnel through the building, with just a couple of raised areas to let children see better and bridges across it for the apes to travel from one side to the other. The odd thing may be watching the gorillas bouncing around on the glass roof of the viewing area,
the new keeper area will be in an extension over the pathway leading to the southern door of the building.​
I particularly like the new isolation dens on the first floor and the wire roof on the eastern (okapi) side of the building for Howletts-style scatter feeds.
The website says that during the construction work, the gorillas will remain in the house, but it will be closed for much of the time, so there will be extra outside feeds to give visitors opportunities to see the animals.

Alan
 
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I don't read the plans quite like this:
the viewing area will be a steel and glass tunnel through the building, with just a couple of raised areas to let children see better and bridges across it for the apes to travel from one side to the other. The odd thing may be watching the gorillas bouncing around on the glass roof of the viewing area,


Pertinax needs to do his 'reading plans' homework better.:o

So it will be a tunnel a little similar to the concept in Seals and Coasts then?​
 
Just a couple of updates from a very pleasant first visit on Sunday 22nd July:

0:0:1 RT Lemur born

Howler Monkey have moved off show whilst their usual enclosure is renovated for a new primate species which will be arriving later in the year. Eventually the new species will be housed elsewhere in the zoo and the Howlers will most likely return to Monkey Jungle

Gorilla House is still open for now. Work to dismantle the former Okapi set up indoors is still under way and the groundworks for the outdoor extension have also started

Three aviary style exhibits have just been completed near the childrens rides as permanent on show accomidation for the animals used in the encounter shows. The end one has a pair of Scarlett Macaws in it and the one at the other end has Racoons who were busy checking out their new digs (see picture) The middle one was set up but didn't appear to have anything in residence as of 22nd July... was using a Telephoto Lens so no pics of the exhibit unfortunatly
 

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the howler enclosure now has the spider monkeys from up by the shop and their old enclosure will be refurbished for drills!
 
the howler enclosure now has the spider monkeys from up by the shop and their old enclosure will be refurbished for drills!

Are you sure its to be Drills? On the masterplan it shows an enclosure at the other end of the Zoo near the old South entrance marked out for 'Mandrills'. Have they changed choice of species as well as location, or maybe it was just a typo on the plan. Drills would definately be good for Bristol.:)
 
Are you sure its to be Drills? On the masterplan it shows an enclosure at the other end of the Zoo near the old South entrance marked out for 'Mandrills'. Have they changed choice of species as well as location, or maybe it was just a typo on the plan. Drills would definately be good for Bristol.:)

It's definetly Drills on this occassion... let slip by the zoo on there Facebook quite a few weeks back
 
An interesting news report about Bristol Zoo from last week which slipped by un-noticed....

Summer baby boom at Bristol Zoo | This is Bristol

Obviously it is early days, but I hope the kea chicks in particular survive - they're a lovely species and they need all the UK breeding success they can get!
 
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