South Gloucestershire Council has approved a planning application to develop a Central African Forest habitat at Bristol Zoo Project.
The enclosure will be home to mangabeys, critically endangered slender-snouted crocodiles, endangered African grey parrots and several extremely threatened species of West African freshwater fish.
The “immersive landscape-led conservation zoological experience” has been designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios and landscape architect Grant Associates. Hoare Lea and Momentum are the engineering consultants.
The council approved the planning application with conditions. These include building any play equipment installed along the visitor route within the Central African Forest
exhibit area exclusively with timber sourced directly from the site or locally within South Gloucestershire.
A new conservation zoo
The Central African Forest habitat development is part of the plan by the Bristol Zoological Society – the charity that runs the zoo – to create a new conservation zoo where at least 80% of species will be connected to its conservation work in the UK and worldwide.
Formerly known as Wild Place Project, the wildlife conservation park was rebranded to Bristol Zoo Project last year after animals from Bristol Zoo Gardens, its sister site in the city’s Clifton area, were relocated there following its closure in 2022.
The zoo is located near Junction 17 of the M5 motorway.
Work at the Central African Forest will begin in the spring and is expected to be completed next year.
