As we head into the final days of Bristol Zoo Gardens being open, we wanted to highlight some of your own personal memories from decades of visiting the zoo. We recently asked you to share your memories with us and you certainly delivered. Messages poured in from all corners of Bristol, with some recalling visits from recent trips, all the way to 70 years ago.
Now, we’d like to share a snapshot of these memories with you, alongside a selection of pictures from the zoo’s archives. So strap in and revel in the nostalgia. If you have yet to share your experiences from visits to one of Bristol's oldest attractions, please take to the comments section below.
“I was born in Bristol in 1944 and have fond memories of many visits to the Zoo. Rosie the elephant sticks in my mind, she was so gentle! And I believe the bison was named Ferdinand? I moved to Canada when I was 9 but if any mention of Bristol later on....the Zoo was one of my best memories. People knock Zoos, but that respect I had for animals stuck with me and I rode and hiked for many decades in the Canadian wilderness and Rocky Mountains always remembering those first interactions I had..... Jeremy Jones.”
“I have the best memories of working in the zoo for two summers when I was 16-18 (92-94). What a beautiful setting to work in. Amazing animals and such a varied job. Ranging from working in the ice cream van outside, to the gift shop, burger bar, ice cream parlour, bouncy castle host and in the face painting tent! My favourite memory…… Feeding Wendy the elephant each day on her walks of the ground. She used to stop by the burger bar for a cheeky bap or two! - Melissa.”
“Most vivid memory is Rosie the elephant putting her trunk up my skirt when I was about six or seven. I was on top of the steps waiting to get on for a ride and I stood petrified and crying my eyes out.. Never forgotten, but nor are the subsequent visits over the years with children and grandchildren. Sad to see it go.”
“My mum and dad both worked here, my dad used to bring back baby monkeys to look after. My grandad was the head zoo keeper. So many childhood memories. So glad I could take mine one last time. Such a shame it's having to close.”
“Lived close by as a child and visited the Zoo often and remember Rosie the elephant and the camel rides and Alfred the gorilla. The first place that taught me about wild animals, so many memories and my grandchildren loved spending many happy hours there. Such a shame to see it closing but just too small for large animals. It will be sadly missed.”
“Wonderful memories of Wendy and Christina as baby elephants were lucky enough to watch them going to bed when they first arrived at the zoo.”
“The best day out ever, when I was young. Heartbreaking to think they are going to turn it into a housing estate.”
“Always looked forward to our visits as kids and was able to take my kids as well. Understand if it's in the animals best interests (have to assume they will ALL be cared for in the right way).”
“Wanted to be a zoo keeper then I grew up . All things change, this has to be for the better.”
“During the war, when our usual venue (Severn Beach) was covered in barbed wire because of the threat of invasion, we used the zoo for our annual Sunday school outing.”
“Great news it was too small, I always felt sorry for the polar bear as a kid, and the monkeys and Wendy… Who stopped having walks on the downs.”
“I have happy memories of Bristol zoo. Coach day trip from my local town as a child was a most exciting day. Meeting up with my old aunt who was in a home at Clifton she always said she could hear the lion’s roar from her room .Seeing all the animals then seemed huge .I was treated to one of the plaster animals heads which I still have.”
“I think zoos exploit this "endangered" thing, there may well be some valid breeding programs, but if the animals aren't reintegrated into their natural space, it's not preserving a species it's preserving a specimen for people to be entertained by. Keeping elephants for example because they're endangered is ridiculous. There are many rescue and foundations looking after them in the country they belong in with the space and knowledge to care and reintegrate them. Zoos do not reintegrate. There is no need for people to see animals in real life out of their natural environment especially in the age of the internet. It's outdated.”
“Felt huge as a kid, but seeing now how small the enclosures are, it’s for the best. Wild place is much better with bigger enclosures”
“One of my favourite places as a child. Wendy the elephant and Sasha the seal. I remember the penguins in a round looking swimming pool and the step to sit or run on. The only sad part was the bear pit. He used to walk to and fro. The funniest was the monkeys in a temple structure. I loved Johnny Morris. I went on to taking my child there regularly. Sitting in the centre of the grass eating our picnic. The place was always buzzing with people and it had a wonderful atmosphere. A big thank you to all the staff over the years and for their knowledge and dedication in educating the children about the animals. They were fascinated. So much to see and enjoy. Always changing and growing. Another piece of Bristol gone… Very sad.”
“I remember the white tiger cubs being walked on the lawns. I also have a photograph of me riding the giant tortoises…”
“We had a great family day out when we visited. It’s a shame it has to close, but understand why. I’m always reminded of the myth of the car park attendant.”
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