Latest news with #BristolZoologicalSociety
Daily Mirror
20-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
'Distressing' fate of gorillas left behind after zoo closed two years ago
A troop of eight gorillas have remained living at Bristol Zoo Gardens since it closed to the public in September 2022, with intruders breaking in to their enclosure A tragic fortunes of a group of gorillas left behind after a zoo closed two years ago has been revealed. The troop of eight gorillas - Jock, Touni, Kera, Kala, Afia, Ayana, and toddlers, Hasani and Juni - have remained stuck living at Bristol Zoo Gardens' Clifton location since it closed to the public in September 2022. Sadly, the troop has been left tormented and traumatised by a series of break-ins after the Bristol Zoo Project said "false information" was disseminated online. The charity released a video on its Facebook page to raise revealing how the animals - including Jock, the oldest silverback gorilla in the UK - have suffered. READ MORE: Theme park left abandoned and 'frozen in time' where Orca whales still alive left to rot In the video, keepers said the latest trespassers had not been able to get near the gorillas thanks to increased security, but added that repeated attempts to gain access to the family of primates are "really distressing" for them. Imogen, one of the zookeepers, said loud alarms and sounds are triggered during each attempt. She said: "Although it is good news that our stepped up security has managed to keep the trespassers away from the gorillas, it does mean that every time somebody comes onto the zoo grounds, the alarms and sounders go off, which are quite loud - and that's actually really distressing for the gorillas." Gareth, another zookeeper, added the break ins, when described in "human terms", are comparable to "someone snooping around a family home outside". He explained: "The residents of that house will be worried and scared. The gorillas feel those emotions as well - especially the young, like Hasani and Juni, and the elderly, like Jock. "We've had issues immediately after the break ins the next day, doing basic husbandry routines because Jock in particular is so tired he just doesn't want to move." Hannah Windross, Director of People and Public Engagement, Bristol Zoological Society, said their former Bristol Zoo Gardens site has been targeted by trespassers on several occasions since July 2024. She explained: "This has resulted in videos and misinformation being spread on social media. Unfortunately, each time the videos are re-shared, we experience new break-ins at the site, where our Critically Endangered western lowland gorilla troop is being cared for by our expert keepers." "Our heightened security has ensured recent trespassers haven't been able to get near to the gorillas, but each time it happens, and alarms are set off in the middle of the night, it causes the troop distress. We take these incidents seriously. The care and welfare of our animals is always our top priority. "Our experienced keepers and dedicated welfare team have continued to care for the gorillas since the closure of Bristol Zoo Gardens, just as they did when the site was open to the public. We hope our supporters will help us raise awareness of the harm these continued break-ins are causing to our animals and combat misleading information that the site is empty. "It has been well publicised that the troop are still living in the Clifton site, and work is underway to create a new African Forest habitat at Bristol Zoo Project, which they will move into. There, they will be joined by many other of the world's most threatened species." Wildlife charity Born Free said it was "deeply concerned" for the health and safety of both individuals gaining access to the former zoo site, as well as the welfare implications for the gorillas which remain. "The presence of strangers and the loud noise from unpredictable alarms could be highly stressful for the gorillas and such chronic stress could pose short and long-term health risks; especially when combined with the many health and welfare issues great apes already experience in zoos," Chris Lewis, Born Free's Captivity Research and Policy Manager, told the Mirror. "More widely, it once again raises questions around the confinement of great apes, and whether the keeping of such profoundly intelligent and sentient animals can be ethically justified in today's society." The troop is now due to move a new Central African Forest habitat at the Bristol Zoo Project site near Cribbs Causeway this summer, ahead of its opening to the public in 2026. A spokesperson for Bristol Zoo said: "The gorilla troop will move across to their new habitat at Bristol Zoo Project in the summer of 2025 and the cherry crowned mangabeys, who will be sharing their habitat, will be carefully introduced. Time has been set aside for them to integrate and acclimatise to their new homes. Our African Forest habitat is due to open to the public in spring 2026." The Central African Forest (CAF), which will be located at the Bristol Zoo Project near Cribbs Causeway, was originally planned to be open in the summer of 2025 but has been delayed until spring 2026. Work on the new habitat began in June 2024 after planning permission was granted in January. However, the discovery of swallows and wrens, two species of nesting birds, have been located within the old Okapi Stable, which was due to be demolished as part of the development. The nesting birds are protected so the demolition of the stable was delayed until the birds were able to fly in late summer last year. This meant that construction of the new Crocodile and Parrot House, within the CAF, was delayed.
BBC News
05-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Bristol Zoo to house RHS Chelsea Flower show rainforest garden
A rainforest garden due to be displayed at RHS Chelsea Flower Show later this month is going to be housed at the Bristol Zoo Project. The Wildlife Trusts' British Rainforest Garden is going to be used as an educational space within the zoo after it has been shown at is due to open in October and feature boulders and fern-lined trails, with a canopy of native trees created from hazels, field maples and silver birch from the show designer Zoe Claymore said: "The chance to educate the next generation of conservationist and gardeners is truly a huge honour." The garden can be seen at site number 340 throughout Chelsea week from Tuesday 20 May to Saturday 24 will then be recreated and reimagined in Bristol to inspire a link back to historic rainforests and teach younger garden will feature boulders, lush undergrowth, lichen-encrusted trusts, honeysuckle and ivy to bring the rainforest environment to life. Justin Morris, chief executive of Bristol Zoological Society, said: "We are extremely excited about the arrival of the British Rainforest Garden later this year. "It will fit perfectly into our Sanctuary Garden. "This area will form the beginning of a new gardens biome at Bristol Zoo Project."He added visitors would be encouraged to pause and reflect on the value of gardens and how they could take action to protect Brown, director of climate change and evidence at The Wildlife Trust, said: "How magical to rehome this little rainforest garden in a place already loved by generations of families."The garden has been designed to be low carbon, with no concrete, clay, peat compost or virgin wood used in the design and all the plants are from UK nurseries using peat-free British Rainforest Garden was funded by grant-making charity Project Giving Back and supported by Aviva.
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
29 eggs hatched at zoo could save species from extinction: 'Incredibly important responsibility'
A rare species of fish that has not been observed in its natural habitat in over two years has successfully hatched at the Bristol Zoological Society in England, according to the BBC. As recently as November, the Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire learned the startling fact that they might have the last remaining boxer pupfish, native to Lake Chichancanab in Mexico, on the planet. Just before Christmas, 50 precious Cyprinodon simus eggs were delivered from the zoo, the only place with a known reserve of the species, to the Bristol Zoological Society. Then, the delicate process of readying them for hatching in pots of water began. And now, as the BBC reported, over 29 of the eggs have hatched. It's thought that one of the reasons for the dwindling number of boxer pupfish in Lake Chichancanab is the introduction of the Mayan cichlid and other invasive fish species. But now, the boxer pupfish may have a new lease on life, thanks to the Bristol Zoological Society's commitment and effort. "When a species no longer exists in the wild, its future relies completely on conservation zoos," Alex Cliffe, the Whipsnade Zoo's assistant curator of fish, said in a November press release announcing the plan to save the fish. "At Whipsnade, we now have the incredibly important responsibility of preventing this tiny fish from slipping into extinction — a responsibility we take very seriously." Even though they're only a few weeks old and a few centimeters long, the baby fish seem to be prospering, the BBC reported. "This really is a triumphant milestone in freshwater fish conservation," said Tamara Canalejas, of the Bristol Zoological Society. The zoological society's director of conservation and science, Brian Zimmerman, told the BBC, "By strengthening the numbers of the boxer pupfish across more than one institution, we will ensure that the species survives, even if it is lost in the wild." The BBC said the society plans to travel to Mexico to work with the community to search for traces of the boxer pupfish and reintroduce the species. They've done work like this before, boosting numbers of species, such as Partula snails and Desertas Island land snails. Should the government be paying people to hunt invasive species? Definitely Depends on the animal No way Just let people do it for free Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. In his press release, Cliffe added, "Thanks to the unique conservation expertise and agility of zoos and aquariums, we can reverse the damage caused and restore the species in our care." This kind of creative conservation is always great news for biodiversity, and saving a species from the brink of extinction is a cause for rejoicing. Paired with conservationists' efforts to reinvigorate natural areas, this work has the potential to sustain entire ecosystems. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Campaigners hope to stop ex-zoo plan for 196 homes
Campaigners are to hold a meeting in the hope of saving the former Bristol Zoo site from being redeveloped into 196 new homes with public access to the gardens for free. The homes were set to be built at the former Bristol Zoo Gardens site, but an application for a judicial review of Bristol City Council's decision to approve the scheme has been submitted. The campaigners, from Save Bristol Gardens Alliance, said they were not satisfied public access to the gardens would be permanently guaranteed. Justin Morris, CEO of Bristol Zoological Society, said they had consulted extensively with the public and it was "categorically not the case" that free public access to the gardens was not protected. The planning proposal includes 196 new homes, of which 20% would be affordable, a new public park that would see the gardens accessible for free, a new cafe, playground and conservation hub. "They've got no mechanism for making sure it does happen," said Alastair Sawday, member of the Save Bristol Gardens Alliance. "So if you put in place permanent public access, in perpetuity, you have to have the means to support it and they haven't. "They can't do that. So the chances are, the developer will come along and find life's getting rather expensive, and bit by bit, they'll erode it." In 2022, Bristol Zoo moved to its new home in north Bristol. The Bristol Zoological Society said the proceeds of its sale would go towards the new site's expansion. Mr Morris said the decision to close and sell the site had been made in 2020. "It's categorically not the case that public access to the gardens, which will be free to access for the first time in their history, is not protected," he said. "It is protected and for any development of the site to take place, the gardens will need to be publicly accessible. " Save Bristol Gardens Alliance was given permission by the High Court last October to challenge the plans and they expect a hearing in May. The campaign group said they were also concerned about the removal of heritage trees. About 80 of 218 trees on the site would be removed. Of those being removed, 44 would be replanted and 470 new trees would be planted. "Bristol Zoo Garden's site has been important to Bristol for nearly 200 years," said Carrie Sage, founder and director of the Save Bristol Gardens Alliance. "It's the wrong development in the wrong place and that's why we keep pushing to overturn the planning permission." "And, if we are successful [at the judicial review], that will overturn the planning permission and force a complete rethink for this site." She added: "And one which we will really welcome, because there is a much better solution for Bristol here." A public meeting will be held at Christ Church in Clifton on Wednesday from 19:00 to 21:00 GMT. Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Homes plan for former Bristol Zoo site on hold Homes will be built on former Bristol Zoo site Homes plan at former zoo site backed by government Bristol Zoo Project
BBC News
29-01-2025
- General
- BBC News
Bristol Zoo: Campaigners hope to stop plan for 196 homes
Campaigners are to hold a meeting in the hope of saving the former Bristol Zoo site from being redeveloped into 196 new homes with public access to the gardens for homes were set to be built at the former Bristol Zoo Gardens site, but an application for a judicial review of Bristol City Council's decision to approve the scheme has been campaigners, from Save Bristol Gardens Alliance, said they were not satisfied public access to the gardens would be permanently Morris, CEO of Bristol Zoological Society, said they had consulted extensively with the public and it was "categorically not the case" that free public access to the gardens was not protected. The planning proposal includes 196 new homes, of which 20% would be affordable, a new public park that would see the gardens accessible for free, a new cafe, playground and conservation hub. "They've got no mechanism for making sure it does happen," said Alastair Sawday, member of the Save Bristol Gardens Alliance."So if you put in place permanent public access, in perpetuity, you have to have the means to support it and they haven't."They can't do that. So the chances are, the developer will come along and find life's getting rather expensive, and bit by bit, they'll erode it."In 2022, Bristol Zoo moved to its new home in north Bristol. The Bristol Zoological Society said the proceeds of its sale would go towards the new site's expansion. Mr Morris said the decision to close and sell the site had been made in 2020."It's categorically not the case that public access to the gardens, which will be free to access for the first time in their history, is not protected," he said."It is protected and for any development of the site to take place, the gardens will need to be publicly accessible. " Save Bristol Gardens Alliance was given permission by the High Court last October to challenge the plans and they expect a hearing in May. The campaign group said they were also concerned about the removal of heritage 80 of 218 trees on the site would be removed. Of those being removed, 44 would be replanted and 470 new trees would be planted."Bristol Zoo Garden's site has been important to Bristol for nearly 200 years," said Carrie Sage, founder and director of the Save Bristol Gardens Alliance."It's the wrong development in the wrong place and that's why we keep pushing to overturn the planning permission.""And, if we are successful [at the judicial review], that will overturn the planning permission and force a complete rethink for this site."She added: "And one which we will really welcome, because there is a much better solution for Bristol here."A public meeting will be held at Christ Church in Clifton on Wednesday from 19:00 to 21:00 GMT.
