Bristol Zoo (Closed) Remembering Bristol Zoo Gardens

Laboratory 7 said:
As for a lack of ambition I stand by the comment, because I'm yet to see any sign of it because a zoo the size of Bristol shouldn't be holding less species than Shaldon, which is all the planned species at the new zoo does.
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With respect, I think you ought to have used the phrase 'species that Bristol have announced that they plan to keep'. If I understand the situation correctly, the Conservation Breeding Station, when it is eventually completed, should hold a variety of interesting and endangered species.
 
gentle lemur said:
With respect, I think you ought to have used the phrase 'species that Bristol have announced that they plan to keep'. If I understand the situation correctly, the Conservation Breeding Station, when it is eventually completed, should hold a variety of interesting and endangered species.
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In that case I will hold my breath for them to announce the gir forest lion reserve, and for all the fish too reappear from what ever collection that they were sent to in the UK and Europe then.
 
Laboratory 7 said:
In that case I will hold my breath for them to announce the gir forest lion reserve, and for all the fish too reappear from what ever collection that they were sent to in the UK and Europe then.
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from someone who analyses basically everything the zoo does it does seem that they’re not announcing small additions such as the birds, reptiles, amphibians invertebrates and fish beyond the Central African Forest and I think the zoo has built habitats and had new animals that weren’t expected last year such as the ostrich and spotted deer so I do think there may be more additions that may just not have such state of the art enclosures
 
Charles said:
from someone who analyses basically everything the zoo does it does seem that they’re not announcing small additions such as the birds, reptiles, amphibians invertebrates and fish beyond the Central African Forest and I think the zoo has built habitats and had new animals that weren’t expected last year such as the ostrich and spotted deer so I do think there may be more additions that may just not have such state of the art enclosures
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So why are people working on the invert, reptile and aquarium leaving or looking at leaving then
 
Laboratory 7 said:
So why are people working on the invert, reptile and aquarium leaving or looking at leaving then
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I assume you mean why are they leaving, my answer would be not all of them are endangered or threatened in the wild and that’s one of the main parts of the new developments so there’s bound to be a decline anyway plus the conservation campus is the last part of there development at the moment so it’s likely similarly to the red pandas that they will be rehomed and they will get them back later on
 
Laboratory 7 said:
Ah yes the wonderful entrance building at Twycross, tell me where do you pay to enter the zoo in it, because I've always paid at the same old pay kiosk outside.
Interesting you break down the costs for other ape enclosures, because even taking inflation in to it none of them come close to what Chester was planning on spending on gorillas, what ever Bristol spends on it, it's not going to be better than the best in Europe and certainly not the USA.
As for a lack of ambition I stand by the comment, because I'm yet to see any sign of it because a zoo the size of Bristol shouldn't be holding less species than Shaldon, which is all the planned species at the new zoo does.
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I would be interested to know where you got the numbers for Chester's gorilla plans (not questioning whether or not they are true, simply curious), but even if it is more than £12 million that is somewhat irrelevant. My point was that it is easily possible to build something world-class within that budget. Budongo and RotRA are the consensus best enclosures in the nation for chimpanzees and orangutans respectively, with the latter even being a strong contender for best orangutan enclosure in Europe so far as I am concerned. Why shouldn't it be possible to do the same for gorillas, which are arguably even less expensive than orangutans due to being less arboreal and thus requiring less climbing structures and height in their indoor stalls.
Laboratory 7 said:
So why are people working on the invert, reptile and aquarium leaving or looking at leaving then
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Because the plans for such exhibits are long-term and the sale (and as such demolition of the buildings where these species are held) of Bristol Zoo Gardens is short-term. You obviously won't have anywhere to store the animals, so it makes more sense to rehome the ones currently held at Bristol Zoo Gardens and then start somewhat from scratch with the new zoo. It is the same reason why Bristol sent their Red Panda pair, Shifumi and Pan, to Exmoor, despite plans being in place for red pandas at the new zoo.
 
Charles said:
I assume you mean why are they leaving, my answer would be not all of them are endangered or threatened in the wild and that’s one of the main parts of the new developments so there’s bound to be a decline anyway plus the conservation campus is the last part of there development at the moment so it’s likely similarly to the red pandas that they will be rehomed and they will get them back later on
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I think they actually meant the staff and not the animals...
 
Kalaw said:
I would be interested to know where you got the numbers for Chester's gorilla plans (not questioning whether or not they are true, simply curious), but even if it is more than £12 million that is somewhat irrelevant. My point was that it is easily possible to build something world-class within that budget. Budongo and RotRA are the consensus best enclosures in the nation for chimpanzees and orangutans respectively, with the latter even being a strong contender for best orangutan enclosure in Europe so far as I am concerned. Why shouldn't it be possible to do the same for gorillas, which are arguably even less expensive than orangutans due to being less arboreal and thus requiring less climbing structures and height in their indoor stalls.Because the plans for such exhibits are long-term and the sale (and as such demolition of the buildings where these species are held) of Bristol Zoo Gardens is short-term. You obviously won't have anywhere to store the animals, so it makes more sense to rehome the ones currently held at Bristol Zoo Gardens and then start somewhat from scratch with the new zoo. It is the same reason why Bristol sent their Red Panda pair, Shifumi and Pan, to Exmoor, despite plans being in place for red pandas at the new zoo.
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The 12 million statistic was thrown around at some point and institutions rarely discuss money however it is in the most expensive area in bristol, there are 62 homes individually a mixture of houses and flats however it would definitely sell for a lot of money
 
Kalaw said:
I would be interested to know where you got the numbers for Chester's gorilla plans (not questioning whether or not they are true, simply curious), but even if it is more than £12 million that is somewhat irrelevant. My point was that it is easily possible to build something world-class within that budget. Budongo and RotRA are the consensus best enclosures in the nation for chimpanzees and orangutans respectively, with the latter even being a strong contender for best orangutan enclosure in Europe so far as I am concerned. Why shouldn't it be possible to do the same for gorillas, which are arguably even less expensive than orangutans due to being less arboreal and thus requiring less climbing structures and height in their indoor stalls.Because the plans for such exhibits are long-term and the sale (and as such demolition of the buildings where these species are held) of Bristol Zoo Gardens is short-term. You obviously won't have anywhere to store the animals, so it makes more sense to rehome the ones currently held at Bristol Zoo Gardens and then start somewhat from scratch with the new zoo. It is the same reason why Bristol sent their Red Panda pair, Shifumi and Pan, to Exmoor, despite plans being in place for red pandas at the new zoo.
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I'm sure you would like to know where I got that info from and you wouldn't be the only one.
I suggest you reread my comment where did I mention animals leaving yes I know that they have to go somewhere and I probably know where most of them went even when Bristol, never even said anything about where they went.
 
Charles said:
The 12 million statistic was thrown around at some point and institutions rarely discuss money however it is in the most expensive area in bristol, there are 62 homes individually a mixture of houses and flats however it would definitely sell for a lot of money
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Yes the houses will sell for a lot of money but the zoo won't get anywhere near the amount they sell for the developer has to make money as well
 
As far as I was aware (been heavily invested in the sale of the Clifton site). The west car park was put up for sale around 14m and had very little interest. There was muted offers of far less, pre planning, but BZG proceeded to obtain planning themselves to mean planning was secured on the site for a number of properties which would increase the purchase value.
As far as I understood, after planning was secured, a buyer came forward and a deal was agreed, but the figure wasn't as high as the 14m initially wanted or the 12m being branded about. From what I read, and was told, The Hill Group secured the purchase for around 10m, after the approved planning had to include 20% of the site to be "affordable" housing. As a luxury 5 star housebuilder, The Hill Group would not normally build Affordable Housing, so for them to purchase the agreed fee was reportedly in and around 10m.

From what I understand, the funds secure Phase One of the zoos build as highlighted by Charles above.

The sale of the main BZG site is proving much more problematic, with planning secured, they had hoped to be able to sell, but there appears to be little interest and local objections have put off some big powerhouses, and very few developers wish to develop the land to the way the zoo have secured the plans. Late last year the government have backed the plans, but the area is a long way off sold, and it is only the sale of this area for a rumoured 40m+ which can fund the 10 year plan of BZP.

Whilst phase one is secure, I don't think it is unreasonable for people to question, the future build and expansion, if the main site continues to remain unsold, having to be maintained at a reasonable cost and generating no income.

Phase one is definitely exciting, but there is a rumoured 4/5 phases before this can be a modern day top zoo, and a timescale of up to 2035 was given. But without the sale of the main zoo site, and other funding, no one can be sure just how much of this plan will ever come to fruition.
 
Kalaw said:
It is the same reason why Bristol sent their Red Panda pair, Shifumi and Pan, to Exmoor, despite plans being in place for red pandas at the new zoo.
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Just wanted to pick up on this. Bristol didn't send their pair to Exmoor, it was a decision made by the Eaza Ex-Situ Programme coordinator. Bristol had no say in the matter. As a young pair, intended and hoped to breed, the Studbook Co-Ordinator, didn't wish them to stay in what could be a demolition site, and with no exhibit ready at BZP, the stud-book coordinator decided to re-locate the animals. BZG very much wanted to keep the pair, but the decision was not theirs to make.
 
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