Bristol Zoological Society unveils new plan to safeguard its future

Bristol Zoological Society has unveiled plans to relocate Bristol Zoo to its Wild Place Project site to create a world-class zoo and to safeguard the future of the organisation.

The new Bristol Zoo will offer spacious, modern facilities, significant growth in conservation and education work and a ground-breaking, innovative visitor experience.

In order to deliver this ambitious new vision and to secure the future of Bristol Zoo, the Clifton site will be sold.

This follows years of declining visitor numbers to Bristol Zoo Gardens and the organisation having made an operating loss in four of the last six years.

The plans have been announced after the second lockdown forced Bristol Zoo Gardens and Wild Place Project to close, after months of closure during the peak spring and summer months.

Now Bristol Zoological Society, which owns and operates both Bristol Zoo Gardens and Wild Place Project, plans to take action to ensure a new Bristol Zoo can continue to exist for generations to come, offering millions more people the opportunity to experience a new, transformed Bristol Zoo.

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[simonjohnson]

I have been a member since the 1st birthday of my first born son in 2002. Moving to Wild Place is brilliant news, we will have a wildlife conservation park to rival Chester and Marwell. Bristol Zoo has also helped inspire my eldest son want to conserve our wildlife and study Zoology at Bangor Univercity.

[GarethDragon]

I'm heartbroken that the old site will be gone, but I'm glad the zoo itself will continue.

[rm]

I used to go here all the time thank you for good memories

[philmanger]

Really really excited by this announcement!

[dr_jonathan_whelan]

As life members, we're really sorry to see the plans to close the Clifton site. We've loved coming to you over the years. But I'm sure we will enjoy Wild Place and the New Bristol Zoo in the future.

[ericg]

I think and hope the old zoo can be given over to an urban farm, uk wildlife specific zoo, or an animal species specific zoo, such as focusing on birds, small mammals, bugtopia etc?

[bluecheese]

Absolutely gutted at this news. Its such a shame but the explaination laid out that there was not really another choice. Even so, as a member, living around the corner from the current site learning this news has ruined my day. I'm sure when I visit the new site it will be prove to be the right move.

[EapeTheMatrix]

When we were there last year all I could hear the guests talk about is complain how bad the conditions are. The staff must be so fed up of hearing it! Foreign tourist children are a real handful also! Times change. Keeping Lions in Bristol City centre is a little last century.

[rorus]

That Clifton site must be worth an absolute fortune. I hope all the money will be reinvested and not find it’s way into corrupt pockets.

[TheMJKnight]

It will be the End of an Era. But I understand the necessity of what you're looking to do.

[quantumdino]

More space, at least the animals will have a chance at a decent life.

[quantumdino]

Unfortunately i went to bristol zoo in the 70's and it put me off zoo's forever.