‘Never seen a queue like this!’ Crowds head to Bristol Zoo as the home of TV favourite Animal Magic opens its doors for the FINAL time today after Covid pandemic caused visitor numbers to plunge

• Bristol Zoo Gardens has been open for 186 years on the edge of Clifton Downs 
• The society has said they were ‘forced’ to sell due to pandemic restrictions 
• More than 90 million people have visited the zoo since it opened in 1836 
• Queues were seen ‘like never before’ as the zoo opened for the final time today

Queues were seen ‘like never before’ outside Bristol Zoo as the 186-year-old institution opened its doors for the final time ever today.

The world’s oldest provincial zoo has been forced to shut due to the impact of the pandemic and lockdowns.

Bristol Zoo Gardens, which has been open for 186 years on the edge of Clifton Downs, will be turned into sustainable homes, with the Bristol Zoological Society saying their ‘hands were forced’. 

The society said: ‘For many years, Bristol Zoo Gardens has faced various challenges. Namely, declining visitor numbers, the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic, and the challenges of meeting the changing needs of the animals.’

The zoo, which opened its doors in Clifton in 1836, is the fifth oldest in the world, and it still boats many of its original Victorian buildings, including its fate house, the old giraffe house and its monkey temple. 

It was also home to the popular TV show, Animal Magic, which ran from 1962 to 1983. Presenter Johnny Morris played a zoo keeper and would speak to animals, and would mimic their responses.

Since it opened to the public almost 200 years ago, more than 90million people have passed through its doors, and more than 175 species have been saved from extinction through their world-class breeding programmes. 

As social media users flocked to share their memories of Bristol Zoo, one man said: ‘Happy and sad to bringing the family to @BristolZooGdns for their last ever day at the clifton site. Never seen a queue like this – all the way back to the car park! Been coming here since I was a boy and I’m glad to have the chance to bring my little ones here one last time’. 

Queues were seen ‘like never before’ outside Bristol Zoo as the 186-year-old institution opened its doors for the final time ever today

People were reportedly queuing up back to the car park for a final chance to see the zoo that is steeped in history

The zoo has been forced to close due to the financial pressured of the Covid-19 pandemic 

Another man shared his experience of working his first ever job, aged, 16, as a potwash at Bristol Zoo, only for his wife to go into labour with their first child there, almost 30 years later. 

The zoo was home to popular TV programme Animal TV, where presenter Johnny Morris (pictured) played a zoo keeper

The animals will now be moved to the society’s sister site in South Gloucestershire. It has owned the site of the Wild Place Project, just off Junction 17 of the M5, since the 1960s, but for many years had only used it for breeding and quarantine purposes and it was not open to visitors.

In June, the society submitted a planning application to redevelop the Clifton site in a move that would make the gardens accessible to the public for free for the first time in its history.

Around 200 homes would be built at the site, mainly in areas where there are already built structures. And much of the gardens will remain unchanged, although a new play area will be created. 

A new café and exhibition space will be created in the zoo entrance building, with educational and community events being held there. 

People flocked to social media to share their happiest and funniest memories of Bristol Zoo, including one man’s wife going into labour almost 30 years after he was employed as a potwash on the site

Space will also be reserved for community events in the existing Terrace Theatre building, and features such as the Monkey Temple and the former Bear Pit will also be preserved.

And a new zoo will be built and is expected to open in 2024 off the M5 north of Bristol, using the proceeds of the sale. 

According to the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquarium, 24 zoos were at risk of closing due to the third national lockdown. 

The sector has however recovered, with visitor levels now returning to pre-pandemic levels. 

The zoo is steeped in history, so much so, that between 1930 and 1948, it was home to Alfred the gorilla who at the time, was the only gorilla in captivity in the country. 

The Bristol Zoological Society said their ‘hands were forced’ due to the pandemic and national lockdowns

The zoo has been open for 186 years on the edge of Clifton Downs (pictured)

More than 90 million people have visited the zoo since it has been open, and a new site is expected to open at a different location in 2024 with proceeds made from the sale 

He now stands in the Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery as a taxidermy statue.

Bristolians might also remember when elephants, Wendy and Christina, who were known for being taken for walks to the famous Whiteladies Road during the 1960s. Roger, a rare black rhino, was also the first of his species ever born in the UK in 1958.

Jo Judge, of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums, said education and conservation were at the heart of zoos and their work. 

She said: ‘A modern zoo has to be first and foremost a conservation organisation.

‘Modern zoos do a huge amount of work both in terms of conservation and research that could not be carried out with animals in the wild.’

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