There is that as well and maybe it's only PR spin but I've been told more than once that they are keen to preserve the feel of the place and that kids enjoy jumping in muddy puddles. I'm not sure that the visitors wearing brand new white trainers feel as enthusiastic as the children do about mud but if you promote the zoo as a day out in the countryside, they can't complain too much.
Bristol Zoo Project Bristol zoo project news 2024
- Thread starter Charles
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Charles
Well-Known Member
Had my last visit today for a couple of weeks and lots of things are going on
There won’t be a replacement species for the mongoose lemur (Rufus) as there giving the blue eyed black (and gold) lemurs more space, as much as a new species would be lovely, it’s understandable as blue eyed black lemurs are a rarity and the breeding season for lemurs is apparently soon according to the staff I was talking to today
a new gentle lemur is on his way from Sweden and is arriving next week, very exciting as I and many must’ve missed the family group they had but glad there’s a new arrival on the way
One of the spotted deer was very active today and there using their new pond a lot more than I expected
the ostriches are being very attentive to their current clutch of eggs which is promising
I didn’t go to bear wood, or gelada rocks
only no shows were pink pigeon, Socorro doves and bleeding heart doves today
There won’t be a replacement species for the mongoose lemur (Rufus) as there giving the blue eyed black (and gold) lemurs more space, as much as a new species would be lovely, it’s understandable as blue eyed black lemurs are a rarity and the breeding season for lemurs is apparently soon according to the staff I was talking to today
a new gentle lemur is on his way from Sweden and is arriving next week, very exciting as I and many must’ve missed the family group they had but glad there’s a new arrival on the way
One of the spotted deer was very active today and there using their new pond a lot more than I expected
the ostriches are being very attentive to their current clutch of eggs which is promising
I didn’t go to bear wood, or gelada rocks
only no shows were pink pigeon, Socorro doves and bleeding heart doves today
Do they still have red-necked ostrich from North Africa?
cerperal
Well-Known Member
Not currently, though they intend to acquire them in the near future
So, why allow ostriches without much of a conservation value to nest and breed?
Charles
Well-Known Member
so that the keepers have experience with the birds i think, there going to probably come from europe and are a critically endangered species so i think thats the reason why they've got common ostriches first
cerperal
Well-Known Member
Exactly as @Charles says, plus ostrich breeding in the UK has been fairly unsuccessful in recent years. It's easy to forget that even for least concern species, the captive population must be self-sustaining.
The other obvious reason is that ostrich chicks are a rather good way of drawing visitors.
Strathmorezoo
Well-Known Member
I get the impression Ostriches have never bred very successfully in UK, they really don’t do as well as Emus or either of the Rhea species
Charles
Well-Known Member
I know that at least drummer (male ostrich) and Mary (female ostrich) are quite mature so the pairing should work, there very focussed on their eggs now and protective now so fingers crossed
GeeZee
Well-Known Member
Bear Wood really is one of the best exhibits I have ever seen, I hope other Zoos do take note. At first I was quite opposed to the idea of the old Bristol Zoo closing in favour of the then Wild Place Project but when you go round you can see why it was the right decision.
I do like how transparent BZP is about its plans for the future too and it’s all very exciting, I do agree though about the red river hoggs & red panda, the signage isn’t very clear either. I hope that with the new exhibits the zoo will be joined up a bit more to avoid missing out.
I went to one of the “summer lates” (which are well worth it!) recently and saw Brian Zimmerman there (one of the directors). Hopefully they’ll host more of these events in future , its a really unique experience to see the animals out and about up to 9pm.
People seem to get around with push chairs okay, though I imagine it's not the smoothest ride at times. The whole site is accessible for wheelchairs but there's a bit of a gradient down to Bear Wood and back.
ZooNews2024
Well-Known Member
Yorkshire's are gravel? from what I have been told. There probably arent many rural zoos in the UK with tarmac paths, or nature reserves, country parks etc
My family & I had the most brilliant day at Wild Place today. In summary, we spent 90 quality minutes in Bear Wood, observing all 4 species, specifically great viewing of the Lynx.
The new Panda exhibit is good, but the resident male was ‘pacing’ along one small section of the glass divide.
The giraffe (two in particular) are stunning specimens - dark facial colouration.
The new playground and pizzeria are absolutely wonderful for families. The volunteers in the Lemur walkthrough are so knowledgeable and friendly.
The moat for the gorilla habit and boundary fencing between the giraffe paddock is really taking shape and there is a palpable ‘buzz’ about the upcoming development.
A truly exceptional visit that I’ll cherish for a long time.
The new Panda exhibit is good, but the resident male was ‘pacing’ along one small section of the glass divide.
The giraffe (two in particular) are stunning specimens - dark facial colouration.
The new playground and pizzeria are absolutely wonderful for families. The volunteers in the Lemur walkthrough are so knowledgeable and friendly.
The moat for the gorilla habit and boundary fencing between the giraffe paddock is really taking shape and there is a palpable ‘buzz’ about the upcoming development.
A truly exceptional visit that I’ll cherish for a long time.
Is there any sign of the indoor building going up yet?
Charles
Well-Known Member
From what I saw (from a quick visit today) the foundations seem to be there for the gorilla house
the crocodile and parrot house they are clearing the area as there were previously, okapi stables where the new house will be
Charles
Well-Known Member
Welcoming Malala to Bristol Zoo Project! - Bristol Zoo Project
The zoo have officially announced the arrival of the male gentle lemur, Malala
plus information about alaotran gentle lemurs, which was lovely to hear as they’ve been quite the staple of Bristol zoological society since I can remember
The zoo have officially announced the arrival of the male gentle lemur, Malala
plus information about alaotran gentle lemurs, which was lovely to hear as they’ve been quite the staple of Bristol zoological society since I can remember
Haliaeetus
Well-Known Member
A Mauritian Pink Pigeon chick hatched in past July.
WAZA on Instagram: " @bristolzooproject welcomed a Mauritian pink pigeon in July, marking another breeding success for the zoo! Indigenous to Mauritius, the species continues to face threats due to habitat degradation, predators and wildlife diseases. With less than 1,000 remaining in the wild, continued breeding programmes are key to their survival."
WAZA on Instagram: " @bristolzooproject welcomed a Mauritian pink pigeon in July, marking another breeding success for the zoo! Indigenous to Mauritius, the species continues to face threats due to habitat degradation, predators and wildlife diseases. With less than 1,000 remaining in the wild, continued breeding programmes are key to their survival."
Charles
Well-Known Member
News on the Central African Forest habitat - Bristol Zoo Project
Some unfortunate news about the CAF
it has been delayed to spring 2026 due to difficulties in regards to the old okapi stable
to say I’m not disappointed would be a lie however the zoo being transparent about the decision is a good sign
Some unfortunate news about the CAF
it has been delayed to spring 2026 due to difficulties in regards to the old okapi stable
to say I’m not disappointed would be a lie however the zoo being transparent about the decision is a good sign
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...