Bristol Zoo

Bristol Zoo
Main entrance
51°27′48″N 2°37′20″W / 51.46333°N 2.62222°W / 51.46333; -2.62222
Date opened	1836
Date closed	3 September 2022
Location	Clifton, Bristol, England
Land area	12 acres (4.9 ha)
No. of animals	7155 (2007)[2]
No. of species	419 (2007)
Annual visitors	478,126 (2018)[1]
Memberships	The Bristol, Clifton and West of England Zoological Society
Major exhibits	Zona Brazil, Seal and Penguin Coasts, Gorilla Island
Website	www.bristolzoo.org.uk

Bristol Zoo was a zoo in the city of Bristol in South West England. The zoo's stated mission was to "maintain and defend" biodiversity through breeding endangered species, conserving threatened species and habitats and promoting a wider understanding of the natural world".^[3]

The mammal collection at the zoo numbered around 300, representing 50 species, including: gorillas, Asiatic lions, goodfellow's tree-kangaroo, and red pandas. Among species on view at Bristol which are rare or absent in other UK zoos were Livingstone's fruit bats, aye ayes and quolls.

The zoo's Twilight Zone was the first of its kind when it opened, there were many other indoor exhibits including an insect and reptile house and aquarium meanwhile outside there were several aviaries and a seal and penguin enclosure. The lakes' islands were home to gorillas, golden lion tamarins, golden-headed lion tamarins, gibbons and squirrel monkeys.

The Zoo announced on 27 November 2020 that after more than 186 years its main centre in Clifton would close in 2022, with its animals moving to its Wild Place Project site close to the M5 motorway and the zoo reopening there in early 2024.^[4][5] In the event, it closed its gates for the last time on 3 September 2022.^[6] The site is being redeveloped for housing. It was listed as an asset of community value in 2021.^[7]