Virtual zoo Bristol: What the attraction for current zoo site in Clifton could look like

Artist impressions show what the world’s first ‘augmented reality’ zoo in Bristol, with virtual reality dinosaurs, could look like

The £75million ‘OurWorld’ would see guests wearing headsets to see the animals of today, tomorrow and the past.

It would replace the current Bristol Zoo gardens and include a ‘wild island’ and 100ft tall viewing tower.

Guests would use an ‘augmented reality system’ that would allow people to experience walking among realistic wild animals and even dinosaurs.

Bristol Zoological Society, which owns Bristol Zoo Gardens, announced last year that the Clifton site would be sold and the zoo would move into the Wild Place Project, near junction 17 of the M5 in South Gloucestershire.

It plans to sell the land with planning permission for housing to raise enough money to secure a “long-term sustainable future” for the society and its mission to save wildlife from extinction.

It is hoped that this new attraction could act as an alternative to the planned housing on the site.

Architect and former city mayor George Ferguson told around 100 members of the public who attended an online meeting hosted by the Bristol Civic Society on October 25 that Our World Bristol proposal would bring ‘more benefits’ to the city.

Clare Wilks, director at LDA design who has unveiled designs, created the new proposals which have now been seen by councillors.

Clare said: “Bristol is a leader in natural history film-making.

“We aim to create an atmosphere with a sense of escape, discovery and delight”.

The zoo will present its case at another online meeting hosted by the Bristol Civic Society on 10 November.