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'{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2013}} {{Infobox zoo |zoo_name=Bristol Zoological Gardens |logo=Bristol Zoo logo.png |logo_width=120px |logo_caption= |image=Bristol Zoo Gardens Main Entrance.jpg |image_width=200px |image_caption=Main entrance |date_opened=1836 |date_closed= |annual_visitors=523,166 (2017)<ref>{{cite web|title=ALVA - Association of Leading Visitor Attractions|url=http://www.alva.org.uk/details.cfm?p=423|website=www.alva.org.uk|accessdate=20 April 2018}}</ref> |location=[[Bristol]], England |area=12 acres (5 [[hectare|ha]]) |coordinates={{coord|51|27|48|N|2|37|20|W|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}} |num_animals=7155 (2007)<ref>[http://www.bristolzoo.org.uk/about/review Bristol Zoo Annual Report 2007] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070606172743/http://www.bristolzoo.org.uk/about/review |date=6 June 2007 }}</ref> |num_species=419 (2007) |members=The Bristol, Clifton and West of England Zoological Society |exhibits=Zona Brazil, Seal and Penguin Coasts, Gorilla Island |website={{URL|http://www.bristolzoo.org.uk}} }} '''Bristol Zoo''' is a [[zoo]] in the city of [[Bristol]] in [[South West of England|South West England]]. The zoo's stated mission is to "[maintain and defend] biodiversity through breeding endangered species, conserving threatened species and habitats and promoting a wider understanding of the natural world".<ref>{{cite web | title=Bristol Zoological Gardens Strategic Plan 2008-2018| work=Bristol, Clifton and West of England Zoological Society Limited | url= http://www.bristolzoo.org.uk/files/download/d92380193a9eb0c | accessdate=5 August 2016}}</ref> [[Image:PiffPuffPenguin.jpg|thumb|right|Penguins at Bristol Zoo]] [[Image:fur.seal.bristol.750pix.jpg|right|thumb|[[South American fur seal]] seen through the observation windows at Seal and Penguin Coasts, Bristol Zoo.]] The mammal collection at the zoo numbers around 300, representing 50 species, including: [[gorilla]]s, [[Asiatic lion]]s, [[pygmy hippo]]s, and [[red panda]]s. Among species now on view at Bristol which are rare or absent in other UK zoos are [[Livingstone's fruit bat]]s, [[aye aye]]s and [[quoll]]s. The zoo's Twilight Zone was the first of its kind when it opened, there are many other indoor exhibits including an insect and reptile house and [[aquarium]] meanwhile outside there are several [[aviary|aviaries]] and a [[Seal (mammal)|seal]] and penguin enclosure. The lakes' islands are home to [[gorilla]]s, [[tamarin]]s, [[marmoset]]s, [[gibbon]]s and spider monkeys. ==Animal exhibits== * '''Seal and Penguin Coasts''' is a major attraction at the zoo; opened in 1999, it allows [[South American fur seal]]s and [[African penguin]]s to be watched both above and below the water. The most notable of these African Penguins being CGP Grey the penguin named after internet personality [[CGP Grey]], CGP Grey the penguin past away in 2017(No exact date was given but was first reported on May 13th 2017)<ref>{{cite web|last1=Haran|first1=Brady|title=Dr|url=http://www.hellointernet.fm/podcast/82|website=Hello internet|publisher=Hello internet|accessdate=15 May 2018}}</ref>. The two pools contain {{Convert|145,000|impgal|l}} of salt water, with waves, waterfalls, rocks and pebble beaches to simulate the natural habitat. The exhibit has a large net over the top to allow [[Inca tern]]s and [[common eiders]] to be kept in the same enclosure. * '''Forest of Birds''' opened in May 2009 and features exotic plants and free-flying birds from south-East Asia. * '''Gorilla Island''' is home to a family of western lowland [[gorilla]]s, which are the largest animals kept at Bristol Zoo. One silverback, Jock as well as Kera, Kukena, Romina, Salome and Touni. In February 2016, Kera's first baby Afia was born after an emergency caesarean section. In April 2017, Touni gave birth to baby Ayana. As well as an indoor house, they have a large island. Despite the gorilla's herbivorous diet, keepers do not enter the same space as the apes. This is because not only is there a great risk of injury with these powerful primates, but they also want to let the gorillas socialize on their own without human interference. * '''The Top Terrace''' is one of the oldest parts of the zoo. It is home to a pair of Asiatic lions, [[kea]]s, [[red panda]]s, [[Livingstone's fruit bat]]s and [[flamingo]]s. * '''Twilight World''' was the first such exhibit to offer the daytime visitor the chance to view the twilight behaviour of [[nocturnal]] animals. By exchanging night and day, the animals (which are awake during their 'night') can be observed during daylight hours. The lights allow a natural transition from night to day and vice versa. Twilight world is split into four zones: the Desert ([[sand cat]]s, [[mongoose]]s, the Rainforest ([[slow loris]], [[mouse deer]], [[Eastern quoll|quoll]]s, [[aye-aye]]s, [[Ground Cuscus|Cuscuses]] and [[mouse lemur]]s), the Cave ([[scorpion]]s, [[blind cave fish]] and [[naked mole rat]]s) and the House ([[rat]]s and mice). * '''The Reptile House''' houses a collection of reptiles and [[amphibian]]s. The house itself is heated and gives a sense of the heat of the rainforest. There are three sections to the house: Desert ([[Gila monster]]s, [[gecko]]s and [[tortoise]]s), Rainforest ([[dwarf crocodile]]s, [[terrapin]]s and snakes) and the Rearing Room where visitors can view the raising of reptiles and amphibian and also learn about the zoo's [[conservation biology|conservation]] work. Outside, but still considered part of the reptile house, is a [[giant tortoise]] and [[rhinoceros iguana]] enclosure where the animals have access to a heated indoor house and an outdoor enclosure. * '''The Aquarium''' has around 70 species of fish. The aquarium has three sections: The [[Amazon River]] ([[catfish]], [[pacu]] and [[piranha]]), Africa ([[chiclid]]s) and the [[coral reef]] ([[seahorse]]s, [[coral]]s and various species of fish). On the outside of the building there is a water sculpture. There are several exhibits of conservation significance on view. Notably, there is a display of endangered cichlids from [[Lake Barombi Mbo]] in Cameroon and a display of [[goodeid]]s from Mexico and [[paddlefish]] and [[alligator gar]] from North America. [[Image:bristol.zoo.aquarium.arp.jpg|thumb|right|The [[South East Asia]] tank in the zoo aquarium.]] * '''Bug World''', the zoo's collection of [[invertebrate]]s, includes species such as ''[[Partula (gastropod)|Partula]]'' snails, [[phasmida|stick and leaf insect]]s, [[corals]] and [[Odontodactylus scyllarus|peacock mantis shrimp]]. Other displays include [[tarantula]]s, [[latrodectus|black widow spider]]s, [[giant millipede]]s, [[honey bee]]s, [[leaf-cutting ant]]s and [[Dryococelus australis|Lord Howe Island stick insect]]s. Bug World also houses the Critically Endangered [[Hogna_ingens|Desertas Wolf Spider]]. * '''Zona Brazil''' has a variety of primate species; an enclosure for [[golden lion tamarin]]s and [[goeldi's marmoset]]. There is a nearby enclosure and island for [[Golden-headed_lion_tamarin|golden-headed lion tamarins]] as well as an enclosure for the [[Titi|titi monkey]]. As part of the walk-through there are also a variety of bird species and three linked paddocks for [[tapir]]s and [[capybara]]s. * '''Monkey Jungle''' opened in 2006 featuring four new exhibits replacing the old monkey house. An enclosure is home to [[crowned lemur|crowned lemurs]] and [[ring-tailed lemur]]s where visitors can walk in with the lemurs without any boundaries. The other enclosures are home to [[Brown spider monkey|brown spider monkeys]] and [[lion-tailed macaque|lion-tailed macaques]]. There is also a nearby enclosure for [[Two-toed sloth|two-toed sloths]] and [[Six-banded armadillo|six-banded armadillos]]. The islands opposite Gorilla Island house a family of [[squirrel monkey]]s, a pair of [[agile gibbon]]s and also [[golden-headed lion tamarin]]s. * '''The Butterfly House''' is made up of an undercover walk-through in a sustainably-heated, climate-controlled [[polytunnel]]. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/7308608.stm]. Species on show include the [[Morpho peleides|blue morpho butterflies]], [[glasswing]]s, [[leopard lacewing]]s and [[atlas moth]]s. The exhibit is linked to sustainable butterfly producers in Costa Rica. The zoo also supports work to protect the rare [[Idaea dilutaria|silky wave moth]] in [[Avon Gorge]]. [[Image:Bristol Zoo Butterfly Forest.JPG|thumb|Butterfly Forest]] ==History== Opened in 1836 by the Bristol, Clifton and West of England Zoological Society, Bristol Zoo is the world's oldest provincial zoo. It is a [[Victorian era|Victorian]] walled [[zoo]] located between [[Clifton Down]] and [[Clifton College]], near Brunel's [[Clifton Suspension Bridge]]; it covers a small area by modern standards, but with a considerable number of [[species]]. In the 1960s the zoo came to national prominence by appearing in the UK television series, ''[[Animal Magic (TV series)|Animal Magic]]'', hosted by the comic animal 'communicator', [[Johnny Morris]]. Morris would play keeper and voice all the animals there. The zoo's official name is Bristol Zoological Gardens ('Bristol Zoo Gardens' for commercial purposes). This is not in recognition of the flower displays but recognises the first use of that title at the [[London Zoo|Regent's Park Zoological Gardens]]. Bristol, like its earlier London counterpart, includes several original buildings which have been praised for their architectural quirks, despite being unsuitable for the care of animals; the (former) Giraffe House<ref>{{cite web | title= Bristol Zoological Gardens, Giraffe House | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/details/default.aspx?id=379206 | accessdate=18 December 2006}}</ref> joins the main entrance lodge<ref>{{cite web | title=Bristol Zoological Gardens entrance | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/details/default.aspx?id=379205 | accessdate=18 December 2006}}</ref> and the south gates on Guthrie Road<ref>{{cite web | title=South entrance gates and screen walls to Bristol Zoological Gardens | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/details/default.aspx?id=379683 | accessdate=18 December 2006}}</ref> as a Grade II [[listed building]]. The old Monkey Temple, resembling a southern-Asian temple, is now home to an exhibit called "Smarty plants", an interactive exhibit which shows how plants use and manipulate animals to survive. The zoo also has breeding firsts, including the first [[black rhino]] born in Britain in 1958, the first [[squirrel monkey]] born in captivity in 1953 and the first [[chimpanzee]] born in Europe in 1934. In December 2014, the zoo lost three of its rarest animals after two fatal incidents, including one involving a male warty pig which killed its own baby. The pig also attacked the baby's mother who had to be put down. In a separate incident a few days later, a South American monkey was also eaten by an otter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-bristol-31172041/bristol-zoo-loses-rare-animals-after-two-fatal-incidents|title=Rare animals killed at Bristol Zoo|website=BBC News|accessdate=29 March 2018}}</ref> ==Conservation== Bristol Zoo supports [[wildlife conservation]], education and breeding programmes worldwide. For example, Bristol works with other zoos around the world to breed [[lemur]]s in captivity. Native to [[Madagascar]], the lemurs are critically [[endangered species|endangered]] because their forest [[habitat (ecology)|habitat]] is being destroyed. Bristol Zoo supports the UK/US charity [[Ape Action Africa]], which rescues and rehabilitates primates in [[Cameroon]], West Africa.<ref>[http://www.bristolzoo.org.uk/bristol-zoo-presents-gorilla-sculpture-to-cameroon-school-children Bristol Zoo website – Bristol Zoo presents gorilla sculpture to Cameroon school children – 14/04/11] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110417074455/http://www.bristolzoo.org.uk/bristol-zoo-presents-gorilla-sculpture-to-cameroon-school-children |date=17 April 2011 }}. Bristolzoo.org.uk.</ref> Closer to home, the zoo has helped to reintroduce the [[European water vole|water vole]] to parts of Southern England. ==Wild Place Project== {{main|Wild Place Project}} A number of mammals are kept on a site to the north of Bristol and there are plans to relocate many more species to the Hollywood Tower estate near [[Cribbs Causeway]], as part of a second zoo. The new site is called the [[Wild Place Project]], and is designed to house larger animals than the existing Bristol Zoo. The zoo is split into biomes, representing species found only in specific habitats. Current areas include: Secret Congo, British Ancient Woodland, Discover Madagascar and the latest addition - Benoue National Park. The species list currently includes: [[okapi]], [[red river hog]], [[Sudan cheetah]], [[zebra]], [[common eland]], [[grey wolf]], [[gelada baboon]], [[ Kirk's dik-dik]] and [[giraffe]]. Some of the biomes to be included are: Central American Swamp, Sumatra Tropical Forest, Nepal Riverine Forest, Coral Reef and British Wetlands. The species list for each ecosystem has not yet been finalised, but is likely to include [[manatee]]s, [[crocodile]]s, [[bonobo]]s, [[bongo (antelope)|bongo]], [[Bengal tiger]], [[orangutan]], [[warthog]], [[lion]], [[kudu]], [[African hunting dog]], [[rhinoceros]] and [[brown bear]]. The site officially opened on 22 July 2013 as [[Wild Place Project]].<ref>[http://www.wildplace.org.uk/new-bristol-attraction-opens-22-july New Bristol attraction opens 22 July | The Wild Place Project] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130806083344/http://www.wildplace.org.uk/new-bristol-attraction-opens-22-july |date=6 August 2013 }}. Wildplace.org.uk.</ref> ==Event hosting== The [[WOMAD]] music festival came to the zoo in 2011,<ref>[http://www.bristol247.com/2011/03/17/bristol-zoo-teams-up-with-womad-for-summer-spectacular/ Bristol Zoo teams up with Womad for summer spectacular – Bristol24-7] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724142245/http://www.bristol247.com/2011/03/17/bristol-zoo-teams-up-with-womad-for-summer-spectacular/ |date=24 July 2012 }}. Bristol247.com (17 March 2011).</ref><ref>[https://archive.is/20130505134514/http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Zoo-joins-forces-WOMAD-bring-world-music-city/story-11254587-detail/story.html AN evening of music from around the world will be staged at Bristol Zoo this summer as it teams up with the WOMAD festival for a unique concert.]. This is Bristol (18 March 2011).</ref><ref>[http://www.bristolzoo.org.uk/bristol-zoo-teams-up-with-womad-to-offer-a-wild-music-festival Bristol Zoo teams up with WOMAD to offer a wild music festival – 17/03/11 | Bristol Zoo<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110322152110/http://www.bristolzoo.org.uk/bristol-zoo-teams-up-with-womad-to-offer-a-wild-music-festival |date=22 March 2011 }}</ref><ref>[http://visitbristol.co.uk/about-bristol/news/2011/5/20/final-acts-revealed-for-womad-music-festival-at-bristol-zoo-a1373 Final acts revealed for WOMAD music festival at Bristol Zoo]. Visit Bristol.</ref><ref>[http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Trio-acts-complete-line-zoo-s-summer-world-music/story-12112375-detail/story.html Trio of acts complete line-up for zoo's summer world music event] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.is/20130505135159/http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Trio-acts-complete-line-zoo-s-summer-world-music/story-12112375-detail/story.html |date=5 May 2013 }}. This is Bristol (24 May 2011).</ref><ref>[http://www.bristol.ac.uk/biology/news/2011/129.html Bristol University | School of Biological Sciences | Womad at Bristol Zoo]. Bristol.ac.uk (2 June 2011).</ref> with a subsequent event in 2012.<ref>[http://www.bristol247.com/2012/03/16/womad-festival-returns-to-bristol-zoo-gardens-for-another-musical-extravaganza-58630/ WOMAD Festival returns to Bristol Zoo Gardens for another musical extravaganza – Bristol24-7] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.is/20130118115620/http://www.bristol247.com/2012/03/16/womad-festival-returns-to-bristol-zoo-gardens-for-another-musical-extravaganza-58630/ |date=18 January 2013 }}. Bristol247.com (16 March 2012).</ref><ref>[http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Music-festival-returns-zoo/story-16030005-detail/story.html Music festival returns to the zoo]. This is Bristol (9 May 2012).</ref><ref>[http://womad.org/festivals/womad-at-bristol-zoo/ At Bristol Zoo 2012 » Festivals] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.is/20130416045306/http://womad.org/festivals/womad-at-bristol-zoo/ |date=16 April 2013 }}. WOMAD (22 June 2013).</ref> ==Gallery== {{cleanup-gallery}} <gallery> Image:bristol.zoo.underwater.tunnel.arp.jpg|'''Seal and Penguin Coasts''': the "underwater" tunnel, with South American [[fur seal]] Image:Bzflamingos.JPG|[[Greater flamingo]] (Phoenicopterus roseus) Image:humour.at.the.zoo.arp.jpg|Humour at the zoo Image:Elephanttower.JPG|Elephant tower sculpture, based on Wendy who died in 2002 </gallery> ==See also== * [[Ape Action Africa]] * [[Wow! Gorillas]] ==References== {{reflist|30em}} ==External links== {{commons category|Bristol Zoo Gardens}} *{{official website|http://www.bristolzoo.org.uk}} *[http://www.bbc.co.uk/bristol/in_pictures/360_panoramas/zoo/ Panoramic images from the BBC] {{British zoos}} {{Culture in Bristol}} [[Category:Tourist attractions in Bristol]] [[Category:Grade II listed buildings in Bristol]] [[Category:Zoos in England]] [[Category:Buildings and structures in Bristol]] [[Category:Music venues in Bristol]] [[Category:Clifton, Bristol]] [[Category:Zoos established in 1836]] [[Category:1836 establishments in England]]'