The world's oldest provincial zoo is set to close its doors for the final time. Bristol Zoo will shut for good this weekend, 186 years after welcoming its first guests.
More than 90 million people have visited Bristol Zoo Gardens at its site in Clifton since it opened in 1836. But staff are gearing up to welcome its final visitors as the impact of Covid-19 and lockdowns have taken too much of a toll.
It is the fifth oldest zoo in the world and has housed famous residents such as Roger, the first black rhino born in the UK, and Alfred the gorilla. Bristol Zoological Society, the charity which owns and operates the zoo, says they were "forced" to sell due to plunging visitor numbers caused by the pandemic.
The society is set to create a new attraction at its Wild Place Project site, just off Junction 17 of the M5, using the proceeds of the sale. The new zoo is expected to open in 2024 and the old gardens will be turned into sustainable homes.
Simon Garrett, head of public engagement, said: “These last few days will mark a moment in the city’s history. Bristol Zoo Gardens has been a staple part of Bristol life for 186 years and recognised globally.
“Thousands of families will have memories dating back decades. For many, the zoo has been a significant part of their life. This week marks the end of a momentous chapter. In recognition of that, we want to give as many people as possible the chance to say their goodbyes before the gates close.”
Since the Clifton zoo opened in 1836, it has attracted more than 90 million people and has housed famous residents such as Roger, the first black rhino born in the UK, and Alfred the gorilla, who lived there from 1930 to 1948. He was the longest surviving gorilla in captivity anywhere in the world at the time.
Some animals, such as the gorillas and red pandas, will stay at the Clifton-based zoo until their enclosures are built at the new site. Jo Judge, of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums, said education and conservation were at the heart of zoos and their work.
She said: "A modern zoo has to be first and foremost a conservation organisation. Modern zoos do a huge amount of work both in terms of conservation and research that could not be carried out with animals in the wild."
