Doors 217 – Bristol Zoo
Little did I know when I took these pictures in October 2018 that Bristol Zoological Gardens would close its doors for the last time on 3 September 2022. After 186 years as the world’s fifth-oldest zoo, the collection is being moved to a larger site on the northern edge of the city to its younger sibling, ‘The Wild Place’. For most Bristolians and indeed for many people living in the hinterland of the zoo, this was a very sad day indeed. Although some of the buildings in the site were old, Bristol zoo was progressive and was a leader in conservation and breeding programmes for endangered species from around the globe.
Whatever your feelings about zoos, they play a role in education and research that result in a greater good for the biodiversity of our planet. Taking myself as an example, it is certain that I was inspired by my countless visits as a child to the Zoological Society of London (London Zoo) to become a marine biologist, and spend the rest of my life working in the environmental/nature sector (doing good things, I hope).
So here are a few of the doors from the old Bristol Zoo. My only regret is that I didn’t take more photographs of this wonderful space. When the children were little, we had a family zoo membership, and it was our ‘go to’ destination, and the children’s favourite day out in the city.
It makes me rather sad, reflecting on these pictures, but I guess we have to preserve our very many happy memories of the zoo, and keep our fingers crossed that the developers of the site retain some of the heritage and integrity of this stunning green space.
Well that’s it until next week, I wish you a very happy weekend.
If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s Thursday Doors post.
by Scooj
Natural adventures 
Love the entrance to the Aquarium – very grand!
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That main entrance has been out of use for years, and the modern one was down the side to the left.
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Shame
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Alfred the Gorilla (before my time I might add), Rosie the elephant, that monkey temple – and not forgetting Animal Magic with Johnny Morris
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So much to love and miss about the place.
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Most of the animals haven’t been rehoused at The Wild Place, that line was peddled by those wanting to make a huge profit from the Zoo’s demise and the subsequent building of luxury apartments on the once cherished land.
A few have been re-homed at The Wild Place and quite a few have been transported to zoos around the world, with some poor animals either not surviving the move or most unfortunately not lasting long once moved.
The majority of animals are still at the zoo being ‘looked after’ by a demoralised skeleton crew of keepers.
It has now been proven that those in power completely lied about the reasons for the Zoo’s closure just so they could all make huge personal monetary gains from it’s closure.
As sad as it shocking but in keeping with what this country has unfortunately become!
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
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Yep to all of that. I have a good fiend who worked at the zoo, and he took voluntary severance after decades of loyal work – he couldn’t stomach the direction of travel (I think, but he never really let on).
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Thanks for sharing these wonderful doors. Done right, zoos, aquariums and aviaries can be a good thing for the planet. Not that I want to grab them, but the handles on the doors to the reptile house are interesting.
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Reading comments above, I have only my condolences to send. What a shame.
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Thank you. I think many people in Bristol are still in shock.
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