Bristol Zoo, the fifth oldest zoo in the world, to close after 186 years

The zoo appears to be losing its charm. Children used to be eagerly waiting to go to the zoo and see the wild animals. However, in the age of smartphones and TV, they now have many more options and visiting the zoo is no longer attractive. This is borne out by the closure of the186 year old Bristol Zoo in Clifton. It seems this is the fifth oldest zoo in the world. There are many original Victorian buildings in its premises. These are the gatehouse, the old giraffe house and its monkey temple. One of the reasons cited by the Bristol Zoological Society for the closure is the financial pressures caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The society plans to focus its resources on its site in south Gloucestershire. This site was not open to the visitor but its use was restricted to breeding and quarantine purposes. In fact, it was a sort of nursery for Bristol Zoo’s botanical gardens, apart from growing fodder for its animals. In 2008, the society put up plans to the council for constructing a walking safari park. That led to the Wild Place Project five years later. Staff at the zoo are sad to be leaving the famous Bristol city site. It retains its Victorian walls. Bristol Zoo closing for good after 186 years as it's hammered by pandemic. The Bristol Zoo was originally a sort of menagerie. Those associated with the zoo are looking forward to the conservation opportunities that would be available in the more spacious facilities in Gloucestershire.

Dr Grainne McCabe is head of field conservation and science. When asked what she is most excited about with the big move, she replied - “One of the best things I think about Wild Place is it will be much more like what I feel like when I go in the forest in the wild to see the animals. She might walk into …. you may see the animal, you may not. She admits some of the animals might struggle with the change. However, it will be a much, much more enjoyable experience for them. This is because they would be in a more natural enclosure. The overall objective is to get the animals linked to the conservation work.

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