Bristol Zoo Project Bristol zoo project news 2024

[GeeZee]

Visited this bank holiday weekend, weather was rather good too, park was busy as you would expect and there was a lot of activities on for half term.

It appears they have some new signage around the zoo giving details of the next phases of their “project” with the Central African Forest scheduled for next year (as other people have mentioned here) whilst I was there they were carpenters/builders busy constructing a new play area/ tower by Bear Wood too.

Seems like they are very ambitious with BZP and it’s nice that they are very open with their intentions as well to the public/members , In the summer they are doing after hours visits, I’m not too bothered about the music / arts and crafts etc that is also taking place but I checked with the team and you can walk freely wherever you like in the zoo until 9pm, should be good.

 

[jtrbmvcq]

I think you are probably right there, though with only a trio plus a 3/4 year old, they do have room to do it now even in the current house. But I agree its unlikely, though they do intend to add more after the new building finally gets finished. Is it even started yet though?

I visited last summer and it appeared that they had started. I asked a keeper about it and he said the new house will allow them to accommodate around 10 gorillas and will have facilities for introducing new gorillas and holding bachelors offshow. Looking on Google maps I believe the blue is the old house and the red is the site of the new house.



Sorry to divert from BZP… I wonder whether Bristol or Jersey will have their gorilla house done first?

 

[Charles]

I visited last summer and it appeared that they had started. I asked a keeper about it and he said the new house will allow them to accommodate around 10 gorillas and will have facilities for introducing new gorillas and holding bachelors offshow. Looking on Google maps I believe the blue is the old house and the red is the site of the new house.

View attachment 705552

Sorry to divert from BZP… I wonder whether Bristol or Jersey will have their gorilla house done first?

I mean Bristol has said the whole CAF phase 1 will be done by summer 2025 so I imagine if jersey’s had started last year it’ll be finished first

 

[Pertinax]

I mean Bristol has said the whole CAF phase 1 will be done by summer 2025 so I imagine if jersey’s had started last year it’ll be finished first

I wouldn't bet on it... it seems Jersey have had various construction problems, including delays in finding suitable builders on the Island. Bristol shouldn't face that problem, plus theincreased urgency of an offshow group still at the old zoo site...

 

[Charles]

The zoo have released on their Instagram a sneak peek of the slightly updated species plan, not many changes can be seen from the image other then that unlike the original, the red river hogs are now being kept rather then moved on

I like that this is a somewhat reoccurring thing at the festival of nature where the zoo gives sneak peeks in what is to come similarly to last year with the updated map after the new developments finish

 

[Charles]

A volunteer has told me that there is now only 1 alaotran gentle lemur, unsure if they are phasing out the species as I’ve seen at least 4 in the past so unsure why so many have left the collection

 

[Charles]

visited today, a few small updates

There's a new (temporary looking) fence separating the grass part of the giraffe/zebra paddock separating the giraffe from the eland and zebra

The new fence at the back of the ostrich enclosure is almost done

 

[DesertRhino150]

The zoo has announced the first cutting of turf in the construction of the upcoming Central African Forest exhibit, which they are hoping will be complete by spring 2025.

More information can be found in the link below:
Work begins on new Central African Forest habitat for world’s most threatened species - Bristol Zoo Project

 

[Pertinax]

The zoo has announced the first cutting of turf in the construction of the upcoming Central African Forest exhibit, which they are hoping will be complete by spring 2025.

More information can be found in the link below:
Work begins on new Central African Forest habitat for world’s most threatened species - Bristol Zoo Project

I thought they already announced this a .
month ago..but maybe not. So its now almost July and they have still not really started yet or only just .

 

[cerperal]

I thought they already announced this a .
month ago..but maybe not. So its now almost July and they have still not really started yet or only just .

I wouldn't be too worried, the common or garden Bristolian brickie works at a speed inconceivable to the average workman.

In all seriousness I did think work had started, but I assume that was site preparation. I said upthread that it seems like BZS has planned everything to a tee, so I would wager that without any major setbacks they have the timings exactly where they want them.

 

[Pertinax]

I wouldn't be too worried, the common or garden Bristolian brickie works at a speed inconceivable to the average workman.

In all seriousness I did think work had started, but I assume that was site preparation. I said upthread that it seems like BZS has planned everything to a tee, so I would wager that without any major setbacks they have the timings exactly where they want them.

Yes I think it was probably site preparation too and only now has work actually started. But it will be worth waiting for I'm sure.

 

[sloggervlogger]

Does anybody know where on the map this African Forest Habitat will be built (closest to which other animal, just to get my bearings)? TY

 

[Charles]

Does anybody know where on the map this African Forest Habitat will be built (closest to which other animal, just to get my bearings)? TY

It is where the old wolf/old spotted deer enclosure was, in between the giraffes and tower meadow

 

[sloggervlogger]

It is where the old wolf/old spotted deer enclosure was, in between the giraffes and tower meadow

Thank you @Charles

 

[Harry.W.H]

Visited yesterday, the temporary construction fences are still in the eland and zebra enclosure in front of the electric fence, think they may have the power for them turned off while digging.

 

[Charles]

https://www.instagram.com/p/C87meOLJWKr/?igsh=MWM3c3JnaGhkMHk5MA==

Seems like explores base camp will be opening soon as it’s complete and the competition winners will be in soon

Still think although it’s not animal related the zoo deserves credit as the new play area seems accessible for all and also maintenance over the last few weeks along with accessible benches deserves credit to the zoo

 

[cerperal]

https://www.instagram.com/p/C87meOLJWKr/?igsh=MWM3c3JnaGhkMHk5MA==

Seems like explores base camp will be opening soon as it’s complete and the competition winners will be in soon

Still think although it’s not animal related the zoo deserves credit as the new play area seems accessible for all and also maintenance over the last few weeks along with accessible benches deserves credit to the zoo

Ultimately areas like that are a requirement of the modern zoo, especially one that is (at least in spirit) a city-based one. I think it's clear the level of thought and effort (as well as money) that's gone into the design and construction of that, which can only be a good sign for future developments.

Of course I'd rather it was an exhibit...but not too much longer to wait for one of those.

 

[Charles]

Ultimately areas like that are a requirement of the modern zoo, especially one that is (at least in spirit) a city-based one. I think it's clear the level of thought and effort (as well as money) that's gone into the design and construction of that, which can only be a good sign for future developments.

Of course I'd rather it was an exhibit...but not too much longer to wait for one of those.

I do agree about the exhibit but I do think there might be something new between this summer and next summer when the CAF opens as the Philippine spotted deer weren’t on the initial species plan so hopefully there’s something new between then

 

[Charles]

Some sad news, the mongoose lemur is no longer at BZP (on their website it lists just 4 lemur species instead of 5), I’m hoping that rufus didn’t pass away as he’s such a character but the zoo hasn’t said what has happened but on my next visit I will ask a keeper what has happened

I don’t want to create any hear say I will confirm what has happened when I next visit which may be this week

 

[Charles]

Visited today

Rufus has moved to twycross to be with a female and his half brother so lucky twycross and he will be missed

This was the best picture I could get but it seems (I’m not a builder) that the foundation has been laid for the gorilla and mangabey house already, things are going quickly

mary was sitting on her eggs today so hopefully they will hatch soon

Finally the bleeding heart doves are looking after an egg, the volunteer was unsure if it was their own or another bird species but either way it’s exciting