FAQ

KEY FACTS AT A GLANCE

• What is it?
• Where is it?
• What does the site currently look like?
• What will the new zoo be called?
• What makes the new zoo so special?
• Will the park be sustainable?
• What will visitors be able to see?
• Will there be any large animals?
• What about Bristol Zoo Gardens?
• Will the Park be open all year round?
• When will it open?
• What benefits will the development bring to the local community?
• Will there be education programmes at the new Park for children and adults?
• How can interested parties feed back their views on the new zoo development?
• How will the development be funded?

What is it?

The National Wildlife Conservation Park (NWCP) is the first conservation-led animal visitor attraction development of its kind in the UK. Scheduled to open in 2012, the Park will be an innovative new conservation action centre.
The Park will demonstrate how modern zoos can lead integrated conservation campaigns - by creating exhibits that partner field conservation projects. These exhibits will relate to key threatened ecosystems and regions of the world, and will contain indigenous plants and animals in naturalistic settings.

Visitors will be able to explore these habitats via walkways, hides, ranger stations and aerial platforms offering insights into the habitats and behaviours of the animals. Cleverly designed enclosures and invisible, secure barriers will help visitors feel immersed in the whole experience.

The focus of the exhibits will be biodiversity, conservation and how visitors themselves may become committed to environmental and conservation action in their daily lives.

Where is it?

NWCP is situated on the northern outskirts of Bristol, at Junction 17 of the M5, opposite Cribbs Causeway. It’s about 7 miles, and approximately 15 minutes by car, from Bristol Zoo Gardens.

How big will it be?

It covers a 136-acres (55 hectares) site.

What does the site currently look like?

The site comprises of the Hollywood Estate and is located on two levels: there is an upper plateau at motorway level and running right through the site is a wooded escarpment leading down to the lower plains on a level with the village of Easter Compton. As well as a Victorian 'folly' clock tower, the site includes an area of protected ancient woodlands and the gardens and outbuildings all form part of the estate that once belonged to the family of Sir George White. The Mansion with its stables, walled garden, orchard and associated structures dates from the 1820's and remains largely intact. The Mansion is now used as offices and a conference centre.

What will the new zoo be called?

The project's working title is the National Wildlife Conservation Park (NWCP) - these four words precisely describe what it will be. The name for the Park will be announced in 2009.

What makes the new zoo so special?

NWCP involves the creation of a major new zoo of international importance. For the first time, a zoo has been designed that specifically links geographical regions and conservation programmes in the wild with wild animals on show to the public.

It represents the advent of a new generation of zoos and is based on six fundamental principles: a conservation action centre; ecosystem-based exhibits; links to field conservation; sustainability; an immersive experience and a global strategy in action. NWCP is a ground-breaking development - no other zoo in the world combines all of these six elements in the same place and at the same time.

Will the park be sustainable?

The Park will both demonstrate and promote the principles of sustainability. With an emphasis on low energy consumption. Where appropriate, buildings will be constructed using materials from local, sustainable sources. NWCP aims to be self sufficient in water supply and all catering, animal, garden and paper/carboard waste will be treated in an in-vessel composter. Supplies will be locally-sourced where possible, with 80 per cent from within 50 miles. This includes items such as building materials, fuel and supplies and food stuffs, which will be organic, ethically sourced and free range wherever possible.

What will visitors be able to see?

Visitors will be able to enjoy a unique wildlife conservation attraction where each major exhibit area or 'ecosystem' will be related to a key place on Earth of high conservation importance. Each ecosystem will showcase a wide variety of animals and plants in a naturalistic setting, linked directly to a field conservation project with which we have direct involvement either as a senior partner or leader.

The ecosystems to be featured include: Congo Tropical Forest, Sumatra Rainforest, Indian Ocean Coral Reef, British Ancient Woodland, Tanzania Savannah, British Habitats, Georgia Wetlands and Costa Rica Swamp House.

Other key exhibits and attractions include a play area, visitor village, conservation learning centre, conference centre, outdoor amphitheatre and restaurant.

Rangers and Ranger Stations will bring the personal element to visitor interpretation and education. Rangers will act as tour guides, lead activities, give shows and help visitors on a one-to-one basis to make the most of their day.

Will there be any large animals?

Yes, although the focus will be on places rather than individual species. When the Park opens there will be a wide range of native and exotic wildlife from all the major animal groups. This includes: bonobos, okapis, Sumatran tigers, giraffes, zebra, orang-utans, Livingstone's fruit bats, gibbons, bears, wolves, cheetahs, black rhino and black tip reef sharks.

What about Bristol Zoo Gardens?

Bristol Zoo Gardens will continue to play an important role as city zoo, providing opportunities for visitors to learn about animals through first-hand experience, enjoy its programme of temporary exhibitions and take part in its wide-ranging educational activities.

Will the Park be open all year round?

As with Bristol Zoo Gardens, NWCP will be open throughout the year with the exception of Christmas Day.

When will it open?

We plan to open the Park's gates to the public in 2012. Around two thirds of the site will be developed by the opening date and over the following 15 years investments in new exhibits will steadily be made.

What benefits will the development bring to the local community?

The Park will be a world-leading new leisure facility offering visitors a unique wildlife experience. It will have a positive regional and local economic and business impact, creating more than 140 new jobs in education, visitor services, retail, catering, animal care, gardens and site maintenance, research, administration and marketing, many of which will be suitable for local residents. There will also be volunteering opportunities.

Will there be education programmes at the new Park for children and adults?

The Conservation Learning Centre will provide pre-schools, primary, secondary schools and tertiary education sectors with the opportunity to include inspiring, classroom-based education with a day or residential visit to the NWCP. These classroom packages will have direct links with the National Curriculum and will also provide support for students studying a broad range of subjects for GCSE, AS and A-level. The Park will also provide an exciting location for the practical element of many qualifications.
It will also increase the provision of vocational training places and professional development courses in a wide range of disciplines, such as horticulture, land management, conservation ecology and animal handling. It will also provide training, education and conference facilities for conservation and environmental organisations and companies at the new site.

How can interested parties feed back their views on the new zoo development?

Any comments or feedback can be sent to NWCPcomments@bristolzoo.org.uk or by post to:

NWCP Project Co-ordinator
Bristol Zoo Gardens
Clifton
Bristol, BS8 3HA

How will the development be funded?

A full-time Development team has been appointed to oversee a regional, national and international major gift fundraising campaign to raise the funds needed to create this new conservation visitor attraction in Bristol. Capital funding is being sought from individuals, grant-making trusts and foundations, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Big Lottery Fund, Landfill tax credits, commercial partnerships and sponsorships.