Bristol Zoological Society

Who we are

Bristol Zoological Society

• Bristol Zoological Society is a registered charity that owns and operates Bristol Zoo Project (previously Wild Place Project) and Bristol Zoo Gardens (which closed to the public in September 2022 but is still home to some animal species that will move to the new Zoo, and delivers Further Education courses).
• Bristol Zoological Society’s charity mission is ‘Saving Wildlife Together’.
• The Society’s vision is “for wildlife to be a part of everyone’s life and for people to want to protect wildlife now and for the future”.
• In November 2020 Bristol Zoological Society revealed its new strategy that included exciting and ambitious plans up to 2035 when the charity will celebrate its bicentenary.
• Central to the strategy is the charity’s vision for creating a new Bristol Zoo, with spacious, modern facilities and a ground-breaking, innovative visitor experience.
• The new Bristol Zoo will be perfectly placed to engage and inspire the conservationists of the future – ensuring future generations come face-to-face with animals in nature.
• To deliver this ambitious new vision and secure the future of Bristol Zoo, the Clifton site (which is now closed to the public) will be sold.
• Construction on the new Bristol Zoo is expected to begin in 2024, and will be completed in phases over a number of years.
• The Bristol Zoo Project will remain open throughout. 
• Bristol Zoological Society is involved in 84 co-ordinated breeding programmes for threatened wildlife species. 
• The Society directs 14 field conservation projects with 31 local partner organisations that conserve and protect some of the world’s most threatened species.

Bristol Zoological Society relies on the generous support of the public not only to fund its important work, but also its vital education and conservation work around the world.