The Animal Magic Zoo reveals the stories inside the world’s fifth oldest zoo.
As Bristol Zoological Gardens reaches its 175th birthday, this documentary chronicles the history of The Animal Magic Zoo.
Due to be shown on the exact anniversary of Bristol Zoo’s opening back in 1836, The Animal Magic Zoo will include recently uncovered archive footage, as well as photographs and records dating back to the 19th Century which have been unseen by the public for decades.
The documentary is presented by Terry Nutkins, who first visited the zoo with BBC broadcaster Johnny Morris during the making of the hit TV show Animal Magic.
The programme examines how the role of the zoo has evolved through the decades.
As well as contributions from zoo historian Tim Brown, the documentary reveals funny anecdotes and moving memories of those that worked and visited the zoo though the generations.
Interviews include actor John Cleese and the creator of Aardman’s animated film Creature Comforts, Nick Park.
Terry Nutkins examines both triumphs and tragedies in the zoo’s long history.
His journey begins with the pioneers that created Bristol’s zoological society and takes him through the Victorian and Edwardian eras, two world wars and the Animal Magic years, when the antics of the animals were broadcast into the nation’s living rooms.
The Animal Magic Zoo also explores the zoo’s role in wildlife conservation, helping to protect endangered species from extinction.
In the early days the ethos of the zoo was to provide a zoological society for people to learn about the animal kingdom.
Records show that the original investors included Bristol’s famous engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel and chocolate manufacturer, Joseph Fry.
Perhaps the most exotic early addition to the zoo was Zebi the Asian elephant who was presented to the zoo by the Maharajah of Mysore in 1868. By the turn of the 20th century however the zoo was in financial difficulty and had to rely on income from added attractions such as rowing, ice skating, fetes and shows.
In the 1920s, committee member, Dr Richard Clarke declared that the zoo should return to its founding roots and focus on being a zoo.
A large scale building project ensued and in 1927 an aquarium was opened, followed by a towering monkey temple.
In an interview, former head zoo keeper Don Packham recalls the time when a prankster put a ladder inside the Monkey Temple walls, allowing many of the monkeys to escape into the Clifton area of Bristol.
During the war years, the zoo remained unscathed from the bombs that dropped on Bristol. Alfred, the zoo’s gorilla, became a world famous mascot and a symbol of national resistance.
Rosie the elephant, who gave rides to children, was also hugely popular.
But with some fresh food in short supply the zoo struggled to find adequate nutrition to feed the animals – fish especially was limited during the war years.
Zoo historian, Tim Brown says: "In desperation the zoo tried horse meat dipped in cod liver oil which unfortunately had the effect of killing the seals, sea lions and penguins in fairly rapid time."
As the war brought social change to British society the zoo became a more affordable pursuit for the working classes.
Zoo historian Tim Brown says: "What initially was very expensive progressively over the decades became less expensive. So, ultimately, we see almost the emancipation of the working classes through Bristol Zoo."
After the war pioneering breeding methods heralded a baby boom at the zoo.
New arrivals included Sebastian the polar bear and Roger the African black rhinoceros. The birth of an okapi was captured on camera for the whole country to see.
In the 1960s, TV programmes like News from the Zoos and the children's cult classic Animal Magic made stars of the Bristol Zoo animals. Animal Magic was presented by Johnny Morris, the zoo keeper who became famous for talking with the animals.
The creator of the Aardman film Creature Comforts, Nick Park says: "The way Johnny Morris did those funny voices for the animals; I guess that was the start of it really. I was probably unconsciously very inspired by that. It really put Bristol Zoo on the Map. I didn’t know where Bristol was but I always wanted to go there - I always thought it must be a really special zoo."
Boosted by its appearances on television and the opening of the Severn Bridge, Bristol Zoo became more popular than ever.
But the changing times also triggered public debate and criticism about the cramped conditions in which some of the animals were kept.
When Geoffrey Greed took over from his father Reginald Greed as the zoo’s director in 1974, building projects were undertaken to phase out the old Victorian enclosures.
They were replaced with more spacious, natural environments. Bristol Zoo stopped keeping many larger animals and focused instead on conservation, education and the protection of endangered species for future generations.
Rosie the elephant, who gave rides to children, was also popular with visitors.
Margaret Woodland recalls: "She was so beautiful, an absolutely lovely animal and to climb up in the seat, rolling along, I mean, even now, at my age, I still remember it.
"We didn’t go away on holidays so a visit to the zoo was something absolutely special.
"There was a big build up for it. You thought 'only another week to go and we’ll be going to the zoo'."
