Latest news with #JamieChriston
BBC News
24-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Zoo animals to get more space in 'long overdue' welfare reforms
Zoos will be legally required to give animals more enclosure space as "long overdue" animal welfare reforms come into Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) said new standards published on Saturday would modernise British zoo practices for the first time in over a the changes, elephants must be given larger habitats and the legislation will bring an end to practices like the long-term tethering of birds of prey and letting visitors touch fish and cephalopods such as rays and Christon, chief executive of Chester Zoo, told the BBC he welcomed the changes, and the process of rolling them out had already begun. Zoos and aquariums will face a two-year timeline to adapt to the changes, which will also require them to improve conservation standards and safety measures when keeping dangerous Christon said the zoo had been working with Defra to develop the reforms and they were not a "major surprise". "These standards have been delayed for the last two years, really, as a result of changing governments", Mr Christon said. "That's meant that zoos haven't been able to invest, and now that we'll be able to get the standards out there, all 196 pages of them." 'First step' Chester Zoo has already planned to increase the size of its elephant enclosure. Animal welfare minister Baroness Hayman said the move was the "first step" in the government's plan to deliver the "most ambitious welfare reforms in a generation".She said: "We are a nation of animal lovers, and our best zoos and aquariums are truly world leaders in setting the standard for how wild animals should be kept."Today's long-overdue reforms lay the foundation for an even stronger, even more compassionate future for all zoos and aquariums - and the animals they protect."Dr Jo Judge, CEO of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which represents over 130 zoos and aquariums, said its members have been "working closely" with Defra officials to meet the updated standards."The new standards are a significant step up in legal requirements and cement Britain's position as a global leader for zoos and aquariums", she said. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram, and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
Leader Live
22-04-2025
- Leader Live
Tripadvisor website rates Chester Zoo as UK's best facility
The accolade has been bestowed on the facility by Tripadvisor, the world's biggest travel guide platform, which uses reviews left by customers. Home to more than 30,000 animals and 550 species, the renowned zoo has topped the list of the nation's leading zoos and aquariums thanks to consistently outstanding visitor reviews. With 11,392 'excellent' ratings, the zoo's strong focus on conservation and unforgettable visitor experiences has also earned it a place among Europe's elite – with the new listings placing it as the third best zoo or aquarium across the continent. The prestigious rankings are based on millions of traveller reviews and ratings submitted to the globally influential platform. Jamie Christon, chief executive officer of Chester Zoo, paid tribute to the thousands of workers, from experts to retail workers, who he says make the zoo what it is with the animals. He said: 'We're absolutely delighted to be named the UK's top zoo. 'This recognition, based on thousands upon thousands of genuine visitor reviews, is a huge testament to our incredible team and everything they do to make Chester Zoo such a special place. 'Every visit helps support our vital conservation work, both here in the UK and around the world. 'As a charity and a national conservation zoo, it means the world to know our efforts are being so warmly received by our guests. 'It's people coming through our gates who enable us to do what we do – lead the charge to save wildlife, protect and restore habitats and safeguard ecosystems. 'Together, we're securing the long-term future of some of the world's most endangered species.' Earlier this month the zoo opened Heart of Africa – the largest UK zoo habitat ever created. MORE NEWS Home to 57 iconic African species, the new zone spans more than 17 football pitches (22.5 acres) and recreates a variety of grassland habitats found across central Africa. It's among the most ambitious zoo expansions ever undertaken in Europe. It comes ahead of the unveiling of another exciting new development at the zoo this summer. The Reserve, Chester Zoo's answer to a premium safari getaway right here in the UK, will feature 51 luxury African-themed lodges, offering guests the chance to stay overnight at the zoo in support of conservation for the very first time. Chester was only beaten to top spot in Europe by Spain's Loro Parque and Oceanario de Lisboa, in Portugal. It beat the world-famous London Zoo into seventh place while Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World, in Telford was second in the UK and sixth in Europe.
The Independent
09-04-2025
- The Independent
Chester Zoo's largest-of-its-kind African savannah opens to visitors
Chester Zoo has unveiled its newest zone centred around African species, becoming the largest zoo habitat ever created in the UK. The 'Heart of Africa ' habitat area spans a 22.5-acre area, and is designed to replicate grasslands found on the African continent. The zone has become the new home to 57 species, many of which are making a debut at the zoo, including critically endangered vultures, a colony of naked mole rats, Africa's largest frog and 15,000 locusts. The main event of the new zone and the most ambitious project is a vast open savannah, where visitors will be able to see giraffes, zebras, antelopes and ostrich all living together side by side. Alongside the grasslands, an indoor habitat named 'Hidden Savannah' has become the new home to many of Africa's desert dwellers and other species such as pygmy mice, African bullfrog and critically endangered pancake tortoises. More than 30 bird species will also be able to be spotted, such as greater flamingos and white-headed vultures, while other mammal species such as African wild dogs, aardvarks, Eastern black rhinos and meerkats will be found in the zone. The zoo has also opened the 'Pamoja Village', which offers visitors a place to learn and experience traditional cuisine and stories from across the continent. The tourist attraction said that this has been one of the most ambitious zoo expansions ever undertaken in Europe. Jamie Christon, CEO of Chester Zoo, explained the importance of keeping a diverse range of species in one shared habitat. 'We want visitors to feel fully immersed in the sights and sounds of the African savannah, and what better way to achieve that than by seeing northern giraffe, Grevy's zebra, ostrich, and roan antelope roaming together? It's truly a breathtaking sight'. Mr Christon said that the team at Chester Zoo has planted over 6,000 trees, shrubs and grasses in the animals' new home, as well as, working with international breeding programmes to help protect the threatened species, such as vultures and the highly venomous red spitting cobra, at the zoo. 'This marks a significant new chapter for Chester Zoo. As an international wildlife charity, Heart of Africa will help us connect hundreds of thousands of people with nature, generate jobs and economic growth for the region, and continue our vital conservation work in Africa, long into the future. 'It's the most complex habitat we've ever created, and we can't wait to invite visitors into this extraordinary new space.' Dr Gerardo Garcia, head of ectotherms at Chester Zoo, said the 'ambitious' project ties in with the work being done across the African continent to safeguard habitats, combat poaching and the illegal wildlife trade. 'Our efforts range from supporting the safe translocation of northern giraffes to protected national parks in Uganda, to developing cutting-edge AI trail cameras to protect giant pangolins from illegal trafficking.' The opening of 'Heart of Africa' comes ahead of the launch of another development at Chester Zoo this summer called 'The Reserve', which will feature 51 luxury lodges themed around aspects of the African continent.
The Guardian
01-04-2025
- General
- The Guardian
Chester zoo unveils £28m ‘Africa' facility – complete with chilly giraffes
'Although we are trying to replicate Uganda and Kenya we are actually in Cheshire so the weather is slightly different,' admits Chester zoo boss, Jamie Christon, on a fresh and very grey Monday morning. But ignore the chilliness and screw your eyes and you could well be transported to a sweeping African savannah where, one day, there will be giraffes, zebras, antelopes and ostriches roaming majestically side by side. Christon is speaking at the launch of the UK's biggest ever such zoo development – a £28m facility called Heart of Africa. It covers just over 9 hectares (22.5 acres) and is home to 57 African species including vultures, rhinos, a colony of naked mole rats and 15,000 locusts. More than 6,000 trees, shrubs, and grasses have been planted and the idea is to recreate a variety of grassland habitats. The possible star of the show is the 3.5-acre sandy, rocky savannah where a number of species will roam together, just as they would in the wild. The zoo is taking things slowly. Sam Harley, a giraffe keeper, admits her charges have been less enthusiastic than the zebras about sharing paddock space. But it's early days and understandable. 'Most of our giraffes were born here so the only other animals they had ever seen were the Congo buffalo across the road,' she said. It's also a bit cold for a giraffe, which is practically all muscle and no fat. Plus, they have a new state-of-the-art giraffe house heated to a constant 23C, so staying indoors has its attractions. Christon said they would take things slowly. 'It is difficult to know how the animals will mix and how they will get on with each other so we are just doing it really, really gradually making sure everyone is comfortable – the animals and the keeping staff.' Over the past few weeks staff have been letting animals out together for short periods. 'It's baby steps. We want to make sure everyone's happy and we are not putting any animals under pressure.' Elsewhere, white-headed vultures seem content with the dead animal carcass breakfast they have been served. In other enclosures there is a flock of 107 flamingos, an aviary of black-cheeked lovebirds, Africa's rarest species of lovebird, as well as meerkats, African wild dogs, aardvarks, yellow mongoose and dik-dik. The zoo came up with the Heart of Africa concept in 2017 with the assumption that building would begin in 2020. The pandemic and resultant zoo closure for 208 days set them back. A spade finally got in the ground in November 2022 and work was completed at the end of last year. Christon said one aim was to shine light on the biodiversity crisis in Africa and the work being done to save species. 'Some of these species are critically endangered in the wild and unfortunately their numbers are going the wrong way. So we are doing work here and we are doing work out in Uganda and Kenya.' He hopes it honours the spirit of George Mottershead, who created the zoo in the 1930s. After being horrified by caged and chained animals he encountered in an amusement park in Manchester, Mottershead had the dream of creating a 'zoo without bars'. Today, Chester is the most visited zoo in the UK including 150,000 schoolchildren a year. Christon said he understands that some people are opposed to even the concept of a zoo but for him it is all about conservation. He sees the project as a 'symbol of our commitment to safeguarding wildlife across Africa'. While the Heart of Africa project cost £28m, the aim was that it would increase visitor numbers by 200,000 a year and pay for itself. Crucially it should generate an extra £3m to spend on conservation, he said. Mark Brayshaw, head of mammals at the zoo, believes the project will enrich the lives of the animals in the zoo's care. 'It has been a huge undertaking and occupied a lot of our time,' he said. 'I don't think we've had any blood but there's been a lot of sweat, maybe a few tears along the way. 'To finally get to the end is fantastic and a big relief but actually the real work starts now … there is plenty to keep us busy.'
BBC News
31-03-2025
- BBC News
Chester Zoo opens huge African savannah for 57 species
A 22.5 acre (nine hectare) savannah, designed to replicate the grasslands of Africa, is to open at Chester of the UK's biggest habitats to be created, the Heart of Africa zone is home to 57 species including giraffe, zebra, antelope and endangered vultures, a colony of naked mole rats, Africa's largest frog and 15,000 locusts will also call it home when it opens on say it will stand as a "vibrant symbol" of the zoo's commitment to conservation. Spanning more than 17 football pitches, it has been designed to recreate a variety of grassland habitats found across central area, which is expected to create 30 new jobs, is also home to a host of other mammal species including meerkats, African wild dogs, aardvarks, Eastern black rhino, yellow mongoose, rock hyrax and are more than 30 species of bird within several new habitats, including a flock of 107 greater flamingos, three species of critically endangered vulture - white-headed vultures, African white-backed vultures, and hooded vultures - and lovebirds. Jamie Christon, the zoo's chief executive officer, said: "Introducing such a diverse range of species into one shared habitat is a first for us. "We want visitors to feel fully immersed in the sights and sounds of the African savannah.""To bring this vision to life, our expert teams have planted over 6,000 trees, shrubs, and grasses, while also welcoming many species to the zoo for the first time." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
