Bristol Zoo gorillas: Wildlife team answer your questions about the animals remaining at the old zoo

Bristol Zoo challenged the claims in the video that the gorillas had been “abandoned” at the closed Bristol Zoo Gardens.

BristolWorld also had the opportunity to visit the site and confirm that, whilst the site was closed to the public, it was still much in use, particularly for higher education courses and conservation projects.

Following the coverage, some readers still had some questions about the animals that remain at the site. We approached Bristol Zoo with your questions which are answered below.

What animals are still at the old Bristol Zoo site?

“There are number of ectotherm species at Bristol Zoo Gardens, including snails, fish and crayfish, which will move over to Bristol Zoo Project next year. We also have our troop of eight Critically Endangered western lowland gorillas.”

Help support BristolWorld - sign up now for our free newsletter

Why have the gorillas stayed at the old site?

“It has been well publicised that the troop are still living on the site in Clifton, and work is underway to create a new Central African Forest habitat at Bristol Zoo Project, which they will move across to, next year.”

How are staff looking after the animals here?

“The care and welfare of our animals is, and always has been, our top priority. Our experienced keepers and dedicated welfare team have continued to care for the gorillas since the closure of Bristol Zoo Gardens, just as they did when the site was open to the public.

“The gorillas have access to a large outside area, and multiple indoor spaces, and the temperature of their habitat is carefully managed to reflect the warm temperatures of Equatorial Guinea, where they would live in the wild.”

When are the remaining animals likely to be moved to the new site?

“The ectotherms and gorillas at the former Bristol Zoo Gardens site that are transferring to Bristol Zoo Project, will move in 2025 when their new habitats are ready for them. Some ectotherms, like the crayfish, are part of a conservation reintroduction project so will be released into the wild before then.”