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--- zoobristol [2022/09/03 14:38] – zookeeper
+++ zoobristol [2023/08/02 12:10] (current) – zookeeper
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+ ====%hide Bristol Zoological Gardens====
+{{section>Bristol Zoological Gardens#Bristol Zoological Gardens}}
+==== ====
 ==== FORMER ZOO ====
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 County: Bristol
-Animal species: About 300
+Animal species: About 300 as of 2022
 Opened: 1835
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 major attractions. Large animals, such as giraffes, elephants, and rhinoceros, also lived at the zoo at this time.
-The 80's would see the zoo morph into something more like the zoo is today - with the construction of a Reptile
+The 80's would see the zoo morph into a more modern form - with the construction of a Reptile House, and a renovation of the existing Aquarium, which had been built around 1930. There was also the addition of the Seal and Penguin Cove, a large exhibit where visitors could observe the antics of fur seals and penguins. In lieu of the Monkey Temple, a more standardised Monkey House opened in 1983, as well as the addition of
-House, and a renovation of the existing Aquarium, which had been built around 1930. There was also the addition
+Twilight World, one of the first zoo-based building devoted to showcasing nocturnal animals. At the dawn of the millenium, there was the opening of Zona Brazil - an exhibit showcasing various animals of South America, and a walkthrough fruit bat enclosure. The millenium would also see the death of the last elephant in the zoo, Wendy [in 2002], as well as the renovation of the zoo's Monkey Temple into "Smarty Plants", an exhibit of the zoo, in
-of the Seal and Penguin Cove, a large exhibit where visitors could observe the antics of fur seals and penguins.
-In lieu of the Monkey Temple, a more standardised Monkey House opened in 1983, as well as the addition of
-Twilight World, one of the first zoo-based building devoted to showcasing nocturnal animals. At the dawn of the
-millenium, there was the opening of Zona Brazil - an exhibit showcasing various animals of South America,
-and a walkthrough fruit bat enclosure. The millenium would also see the death of the last elephant in the zoo,
-Wendy [in 2002], as well as the renovation of the zoo's Monkey Temple into "Smarty Plants", an exhibit of the zoo, in
 which as opposed to animals, plants became the main exhibit. In some ways, one could see the shift in character
 of Bristol Zoo during the 21st Century as a progress from the cravings of exoticism, to the persuit of ecological
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 For comparison, London Zoo is 60 acres in size, and Noah's Ark Zoo Farm, located near the zoo, almost
 acres. And so, this led the zoological society to make the decision in 2020 to sell the Clifton site in 2022, instead
-dedicating their resources to the creation of a new Bristol Zoo, located on the site of the current Wild Place.
+dedicating their resources to the creation of a new Bristol Zoo, located on the site of the current Wild Place. The announcement of the plans to close the original Bristol Zoo for good was met with much media attention - and many locals were devastated, especially those who had known Bristol Zoo for much of their lives.
-At 136 acres, the Wild Place site is over 11 times larger than the classical zoo, and is already home to a range
+At 136 acres, the Wild Place site is over 11 times larger than the classical zoo's site, and is already home to a range of animals, including megafauna such as giraffes and bears. Such features make the Wild Place site an ideal
-of animals, including megafauna such as giraffes and bears. Such features make the Wild Place site an ideal
+place to dedicate efforts towards, an ideal location for a new zoo, fit for the new millenium. Selling the Clifton site, whilst distressing to many, would result in much captial investment for the development of the new Bristol Zoo of 2024, and also allow for more investment in opportunities for conservation and education. Following the 2020 announcement, however, the old site still remained open as it had for over 185 years.
-place to dedicate efforts towards, an ideal location for a new zoo, fit for the new millenium. Selling the Clifton
+During the summer season of Bristol Zoo's operation in 2022, the zoo hosted an event known as the 'Big Summer Send-Off'. During this time, various educational material on the zoo's history and future would be placed across the site of the zoo, and a giant animatronic gorilla and stage show were also in operation. In its final months of operation, Bristol Zoo reported higher levels of attendance than at any other point in 2022 - in its final week, almost 30,000 visited the zoo. To accommodate higher visitor demand, the opening hours would be extended. On the zoo's last day of operation, a large queue formed at the zoo's entrance before opening. At 5:30, after the zoo's final date of closure, a commemorative plaque was place onto the zoo's gates: "**On 3 September 2022 Bristol Zoo Gardens, the world's oldest provincial zoo, closed after 186 years. //Thank you for the memories.//**" At which time, the Zoo would close for good. Following the closure of the site, some animals  would be moved to the new site, located on the Northern fringe of Bristol, or move to other zoological institutions  elsewhere. After the Gardens' closure, several celebration events will occur to acclaim the long-lasting legacy of Bristol  Zoo Gardens. In the long-term, redevelopment of the site will occur, with much of the zoo's site becoming a housing  estate. On April 26 of 2023, the Bristol City Council granted planning permission to the Bristol Zoo Gardens site for redevelopment. Elements of the zoo's early years, such as the Monkey Temple, will remain on site, as will the gardens.
-site, whilst distressing to many, will result in much captial investment for the development of the new Bristol
-Zoo of 2024, and also allow for more investment in opportunities for conservation and education. Following the
-announcement, however, the old site still remained open as it had for over 185 years, and would remain open
-until the 3rd of September, 2022, on which date it closed for good. Following the closure of the site, some animals
-would be moved to the new site, located on the Northern fringe of Bristol, or move to other zoological institutions
-elsewhere. After the Gardens' closure, several celebration events will occur to acclaim the long-lasting legacy of Bristol
-Zoo Gardens. In the long-term, redevelopment of the site will occur, with much of the zoo's site becoming a housing
-estate. Elements of the zoo's early years, such as the Monkey Temple, will remain on site, as will the gardens.
 The new site will allow for natural biodiversity to flourish, and will be open to the public free of charge.
-Later on, 2024 will see the debut of the new Bristol Zoo, on a site which has allowed for a number of natural habitats
+The glimpse of a new Bristol Zoo seems to have begun as of 2023, on a site which has allowed for a number of natural habitats
 to flourish - a far cry from the city environment of the older site. Such features will allow not only for zoological
-stories to be told, but also present the interconnectedness of humans and the natural world. The new Bristol Zoo
+stories to be told, but also present the interconnectedness of humans and the natural world. The site has, as of 2023, already adopted the new title of 'Bristol Zoo Project', though major change has yet to occur, with the first phase of construction being planned for 2024. Over a period of 20 years, £48 million in capital investment will be invested into the project, which promises to provide environmentally-sensitive architectural works as part of a naturalistic experience - allowing guests to experience the thrill of a chance encounter, potentially being revolutionary for zoos of the United Kingdom as a whole.
-will also allow visitors to experience the thrill of chance encounters with animals in a naturalistic setting, and experience
-wildlife without imposing barriers. In some respects, it will resmble San Diego Zoo, a world-class zoo which has already
-implemented more naturalistic enclosures, in a vegetated setting. Although an exhaustive list of species has not been
-announced for the new zoo, species seen in the mood-board include gorillas, gibbons, tigers, wisent, and Przewalski's
-horses. The zoo will not just be an evolution from its predecessor, but would potentially be revolutionary for zoos
-of the United Kingdom as a whole. In several regards, the legacy of Bristol Zoo, both past and future, heeds
-Attenborough's words - in that "no one will protect what they don't care about; and no one will care about what they
-have never experienced."
 ====== III. BRISTOL ZOO AT ITS LATEST ======