• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
Fifth oldest zoo in the world shuts down today after 186 years

Home> News

Published 21:02 2 Sep 2022 GMT+1

Fifth oldest zoo in the world shuts down today after 186 years

The zoo has been home to tens of thousands of animals over the years

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

The fifth oldest zoo in the world is closing its doors for good this weekend, after almost 200 years. 

Bristol Zoo Gardens opened back in 1836 and has welcomed more than 90 million visitors over the past 186 years - but now it’s set to close down due to the impact of Covid-19 and lockdowns. 

Bristol Zoological Society, the charity which owns and operates the zoo, says it has been forced to sell the zoo because of drop off in visitors during the pandemic. 

SWNS

Advert

Naturally, with such a long history, the zoo has housed tens of thousands of animals, including several famous animal residents, such as Roger, the first black rhino born in the UK, and Alfred the gorilla, who lived there from 1930 to 1948 and was the longest surviving gorilla in captivity anywhere in the world at the time. 

The zoo has also received international acclaim for its conservation breeding programmes.

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.

SWNS

Advert

“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.”

Bristol Zoological Society will use the money from the sale to open a new attraction at its Wild Place Project site. 

The new zoo is expected to open in 2024 and the old gardens will be turned into sustainable homes.

In the meantime, some animals - including the gorillas and red pandas - will stay at the old zoo until their new homes are built. 

Advert

SWNS

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."

Its final day is Saturday 3 September, when it will be opening at 9:00am before closing up for good at 5:30pm. 

Featured Image Credit: SWNS

Topics: UK News, Animals

Claire Reid
Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Damning evidence that led to the arrest of men who chopped down Sycamore Gap tree as they're sentenced to four years in prison
  • Thousands of giant spiders 'the size of a human hand' in UK after zoo set them free
  • Mysterious bright green pigeon spotted in UK town has experts 'sounding the alarm'
  • Alton Towers fans ‘gutted’ as oldest ride set to close after 44 years

Choose your content:

5 hours ago
8 hours ago
  • 5 hours ago

    CEO Andy Byron from viral Coldplay concert video resigns from role at company

    Andy Byron went viral for all the wrong reasons this week

    News
  • 8 hours ago

    People call for ‘genius’ car park feature to be used everywhere

    It's perfect for those who hate parking between two cars

    News
  • 8 hours ago

    Woman loses £25,000 after posting video of her dogs to Instagram

    Meta reportedly suspended the business owners accounts after she posted a video of her dogs

    News
  • 8 hours ago

    How much money you would have made if you invested £1,000 in Apple 10 years ago

    If you invested in Apple 10 years ago, you wouldn't have regretted it

    News