Bristol Zoo Project Wild Place News 2022

Had an afternoon out at Wild Place last week, on my own. I have uploaded some images to the media folder, I made a mistake and the first few were under Bristol Zoo and not Wild Place. I'm no professional photographer, so sorry if they aren't up to everyone's usual standards.
 
I have just noticed on the 'New Bristol Zoo' website that some new design proposals have been included. I will mention what I think are some important points below:

Planning context:
  • The former plans for the National Wildlife Conservation Park will no longer be followed, as it no longer meets the needs of the Society as it closes Bristol Zoo and moves some activities to the new site
  • The phase 1 developments, opening in 2024, will all be taking place on the upper plateau, the area currently occupied by the Wild Place site
  • Although they are not labelled, there are maps comparing the NWCP plans and the new Bristol Zoo plans. The two large indoor buildings, the Costa Rica Swamp House (the big red oblong building near the top of the first map) and the Comoros Reef and Jungle House (the blue semicircular building) have both been scrapped.
Central African Forests:
  • This mentions in the text many species already mentioned such as the gorillas, mangabeys, grey parrots, slender-snouted crocodiles and rare freshwater fish, but interestingly among the species pictured in this section are mandrills.
Central African Savannah:
  • The Benoue National Park exhibit will be expanded to include the new pair of black rhinoceros; also mentioned in the text and pictured is that the main savannah paddock will be expanded to include facilities for ostriches.
  • The pictures also include a Grevy's zebra (although I'm not sure if they are being included, or are just placeholders for the plains zebra).
The new design proposals, including several images I haven't mentioned here as they don't concern the animal collection, can be found here:
New Bristol Zoo design proposals
 
Interesting as well that the ostrich picture shows the North African subspecies, which would indeed be the subspecies from that region but is still pretty rare in UK, currently held only at Paignton according to zootierliste.

However, I'm not sure how much faith we can put in these photos, as further down, when native wildlife is being discussed, is a photo of some sort of jackrabbit (presumably meant to be brown hare....?)
 
DesertRhino150 said:
  • Although they are not labelled, there are maps comparing the NWCP plans and the new Bristol Zoo plans. The two large indoor buildings, the Costa Rica Swamp House (the big red oblong building near the top of the first map) and the Comoros Reef and Jungle House (the blue semicircular building) have both been scrapped.
Click to expand...
Ah..
there go the manatees..
but would be interesting to see development regardless !
 
Following the link provided by @DesertRhino150 I have extracted the following details from proposals for the 2 new exhibits that will open when Wild Place turns into the new Bristol Zoo in 2024.

Central African forests
  • gorilla
  • cherry-crowned mangabey
  • African grey parrots
  • slender-snouted crocodile
  • extremely rare species of West African fish (which I guess means Barombi Mbo cichlids)

Some of the species living in the Conservation Breeding Centre and their International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) status:

  • Annam leaf turtle (Critically Endangered)
  • Lesser Antillean iguana (Critically Endangered)
  • Annam leaf turtle (Critically Endangered)
  • African pancake tortoise (Critically Endangered)
  • Radiated tortoise (Critically Endangered)
  • Roti Island snake-necked turtle (Critically Endangered)
  • Vietnamese box turtle (Critically Endangered)
  • Lemur leaf frog (Critically Endangered)
  • Mountain chicken frog (Critically Endangered)
  • Pygmy chameleon (Critically Endangered)
  • Turquoise blue gecko (Critically Endangered)
  • Vietnamese box turtle (Critically Endangered)
  • Blue spotted tree monitor (Endangered)
  • Henkel’s leaf-tailed gecko (Vulnerable)
  • Desertas wolf spider (Critically Endangered)
  • Polynesian tree snail (Extinct in the wild)
  • Lord Howe Island stick insect (Critically Endangered)
  • Madeiran land snails (Critically Endangered)
  • Socorro dove (Extinct in the wild)
  • Visayan tarictic hornbill (Endangered)
  • Sumatran laughing thrush (Endangered)
  • Red vented cockatoo (Critically Endangered)
  • European turtle dove (Vulnerable)
  • Javan green magpie (Critically Endangered)
  • Negros bleeding heart dove (Critically Endangered)
  • Mindanao bleeding heart dove (Vulnerable)
  • Pink pigeon (Vulnerable)
  • Malagasy cichlids (fish) (Critically Endangered)
  • Malagasy rainbow fish and powder blue panchax (Endangered)
  • Pupfish and goodeids (Extinct in the wild)
  • White-clawed crayfish (Endangered)
 
gentle lemur said:
Following the link provided by @DesertRhino150 I have extracted the following details from proposals for the 2 new exhibits that will open when Wild Place turns into the new Bristol Zoo in 2024.

Central African forests
  • gorilla
  • cherry-crowned mangabey
  • African grey parrots
  • slender-snouted crocodile
  • extremely rare species of West African fish (which I guess means Barombi Mbo cichlids)

Some of the species living in the Conservation Breeding Centre and their International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) status:

  • Annam leaf turtle (Critically Endangered)
  • Lesser Antillean iguana (Critically Endangered)
  • Annam leaf turtle (Critically Endangered)
  • African pancake tortoise (Critically Endangered)
  • Radiated tortoise (Critically Endangered)
  • Roti Island snake-necked turtle (Critically Endangered)
  • Vietnamese box turtle (Critically Endangered)
  • Lemur leaf frog (Critically Endangered)
  • Mountain chicken frog (Critically Endangered)
  • Pygmy chameleon (Critically Endangered)
  • Turquoise blue gecko (Critically Endangered)
  • Vietnamese box turtle (Critically Endangered)
  • Blue spotted tree monitor (Endangered)
  • Henkel’s leaf-tailed gecko (Vulnerable)
  • Desertas wolf spider (Critically Endangered)
  • Polynesian tree snail (Extinct in the wild)
  • Lord Howe Island stick insect (Critically Endangered)
  • Madeiran land snails (Critically Endangered)
  • Socorro dove (Extinct in the wild)
  • Visayan tarictic hornbill (Endangered)
  • Sumatran laughing thrush (Endangered)
  • Red vented cockatoo (Critically Endangered)
  • European turtle dove (Vulnerable)
  • Javan green magpie (Critically Endangered)
  • Negros bleeding heart dove (Critically Endangered)
  • Mindanao bleeding heart dove (Vulnerable)
  • Pink pigeon (Vulnerable)
  • Malagasy cichlids (fish) (Critically Endangered)
  • Malagasy rainbow fish and powder blue panchax (Endangered)
  • Pupfish and goodeids (Extinct in the wild)
  • White-clawed crayfish (Endangered)
Click to expand...

The one other new animal exhibit that is planned to be there on opening in 2024 is a red panda enclosure, which will be part of the new entrance complex 'Wild Welcome'.
 
DesertRhino150 said:
I have just noticed on the 'New Bristol Zoo' website that some new design proposals have been included. I will mention what I think are some important points below:

Planning context:
  • The former plans for the National Wildlife Conservation Park will no longer be followed, as it no longer meets the needs of the Society as it closes Bristol Zoo and moves some activities to the new site
  • The phase 1 developments, opening in 2024, will all be taking place on the upper plateau, the area currently occupied by the Wild Place site
  • Although they are not labelled, there are maps comparing the NWCP plans and the new Bristol Zoo plans. The two large indoor buildings, the Costa Rica Swamp House (the big red oblong building near the top of the first map) and the Comoros Reef and Jungle House (the blue semicircular building) have both been scrapped.
Central African Forests:
  • This mentions in the text many species already mentioned such as the gorillas, mangabeys, grey parrots, slender-snouted crocodiles and rare freshwater fish, but interestingly among the species pictured in this section are mandrills.
Central African Savannah:
  • The Benoue National Park exhibit will be expanded to include the new pair of black rhinoceros; also mentioned in the text and pictured is that the main savannah paddock will be expanded to include facilities for ostriches.
  • The pictures also include a Grevy's zebra (although I'm not sure if they are being included, or are just placeholders for the plains zebra).
The new design proposals, including several images I haven't mentioned here as they don't concern the animal collection, can be found here:
New Bristol Zoo design proposals
Click to expand...
You mentioned the upper plateau for early development does that mean some areas of the present WP are affected and will be changed.

I do deplore they will not go for the Costa Rica and Comoros development. Maybe later. (mention Comoros fruit bats and Rodrigues and lemurs et cetera)?????
 
The Hedgehog said:
@Pertinax surely Bristol Zoo will loose money during the relocation pierord. I imagine the punters will visit Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, these days Noah’s have more species with the exception of the Gorillas. The only draw back of Noah’s I have heard about is that is is highly religious and mentions the bible at every turn. I have never visited Noah’s so cannot comment from a personal prospective.
Click to expand...

I was their earlier in the week specifically looking for Christian material and with the exception of one book about intelligent design in the gift shop, I saw nothing. I didn't read all the press cutting display thing by the cafe, so there may be some quoutes in that but no posters of people and T-Rex co-existing; al that has gone.
 
Very sad news from Wild Place Project, the recently born Giraffe foal, 'Wallace' has died following an accidental collision with a gate which despite immediate care from the veterinary team the injuries proved too severe to save him. I've copied below the Facebook posting that has been released via the Wild Place Project Facebook page. upload_2022-5-16_22-16-44.png
 

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charliejb said:
Very sad news from Wild Place Project, the recently born Giraffe foal, 'Wallace' has died following an accidental collision with a gate which despite immediate care from the veterinary team the injuries proved too severe to save him. I've copied below the Facebook posting that has been released via the Wild Place Project Facebook page. View attachment 544705
Click to expand...
I think you mean zebra!
 
dillotest0 said:
Ah..
there go the manatees..
but would be interesting to see development regardless !
Click to expand...
I think the possibility of Manatees are still very likely, due to the fact that the zoo does conservation work in both Costa Rica and the Philippines, Costa Rica having Manatees and The Philippines having Dugongs.
Also the zoo have said that 78% of there exhibits will link directly to conservation so there is still a large possibility
 
Hi all,do you think the,Western Lowland,Gorilla Family will be on public view prior to The Wild Place’s official rebranding to Bristol Zoo? I ask as Gorillas are a senomnous species for Bristol. In fact Bristol housed Alfred the UK’s first captive Gorilla. The future Gorilla Enclosure is still there in some capacity. I understand it requires a radical redevelopment,but at least the footprint is there. When you think about it a house can be built from the ground up in less than a year. This fills me with optimism that Jock and his Family will be visible at the latest by August 2023. Do you think my timescale is realistic? A key reason why the completion of the Gorilla Enclosure should be a priority,is that Bristol’s Gorillas are the only Family group in the South West. Bar Bristol the nearest Gorilla Family is at both of the sites owned by Daimian Aspinall.

I have been to Bristol Zoo many times and the Gorillas were a personal highlight. I love Gorillas and Bristol is the only place I have seen a Family group. I must admit I’m gutted that the Asiatic Lions will not be moving to The Wild Place
 
The Hedgehog said:
Hi all,do you think the,Western Lowland,Gorilla Family will be on public view prior to The Wild Place’s official rebranding to Bristol Zoo? I ask as Gorillas are a senomnous species for Bristol. In fact Bristol housed Alfred the UK’s first captive Gorilla. The future Gorilla Enclosure is still there in some capacity. I understand it requires a radical redevelopment,but at least the footprint is there. When you think about it a house can be built from the ground up in less than a year. This fills me with optimism that Jock and his Family will be visible at the latest by August 2023. Do you think my timescale is realistic? A key reason why the completion of the Gorilla Enclosure should be a priority,is that Bristol’s Gorillas are the only Family group in the South West. Bar Bristol the nearest Gorilla Family is at both of the sites owned by Daimian Aspinall.

I have been to Bristol Zoo many times and the Gorillas were a personal highlight. I love Gorillas and Bristol is the only place I have seen a Family group. I must admit I’m gutted that the Asiatic Lions will not be moving to The Wild Place
Click to expand...
I think they will do this with all the species, I believe it is too risky to miss a summer season and as some enclosures like the conservation breeding centre and Gorillas won’t take as long, I think they will open sooner than larger scale projects like the black rhinoceros paddocks or the unannounced habitats that are on the plans
 
I have no inside knowledge, but looking at the park as it is, and the phase 1 plans, there is an awful lot of work to do to create the New Bristol Zoo. The acreage appears to be the same as Chester, but the current holding of mammals and birds is tiny.
The proposal indicates an increase of parking to 1800 vehicles, using the same entrance close to the M5 junction. A busy morning influx of visitors I can imagine backing up to the M5. I assume they have thought of this, or they will have to move the entrance further from the main road.(as Chester had to). For such a major increase in visitors, there will have to be major infrastructure improvements on pathways, toilet provision,catering etc. Not to mention the construction of enclosures. I can imagine 10 years plus of continuous development, assuming they have enough investment.
 
Jonfla said:
I have no inside knowledge, but looking at the park as it is, and the phase 1 plans, there is an awful lot of work to do to create the New Bristol Zoo. The acreage appears to be the same as Chester, but the current holding of mammals and birds is tiny.
The proposal indicates an increase of parking to 1800 vehicles, using the same entrance close to the M5 junction. A busy morning influx of visitors I can imagine backing up to the M5. I assume they have thought of this, or they will have to move the entrance further from the main road.(as Chester had to). For such a major increase in visitors, there will have to be major infrastructure improvements on pathways, toilet provision,catering etc. Not to mention the construction of enclosures. I can imagine 10 years plus of continuous development, assuming they have enough investment.
Click to expand...
Yeah that’s what is happening, their “strategy to 2035” and I think the majority of infrastructure will be in phase 1 they will have a new society headquarters, new animal hospital, new education facilities, new cafe, new play area, new gift shop, that’s quite a lot so I think they’ll be well equipped
 
There is a new wildplace website, there are a few minor errors as the do not have Sumatran laughing thrush and Fischer’s turaco (or at least on show) and the African penguin and Livingstone fruit bat conservation projects are no longer apart of Bristol zoos conservation :(
 
Charles said:
Yeah that’s what is happening, their “strategy to 2035” and I think the majority of infrastructure will be in phase 1 they will have a new society headquarters, new animal hospital, new education facilities, new cafe, new play area, new gift shop, that’s quite a lot so I think they’ll be well equipped
Click to expand...
But little to suggest many more animals in that phase, so little more from a general visitor's point of view.
 
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