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As this was going to be my last ever visit to the Bristol Zoo I took a few photographs of the buildings and exhibits around the 186-years old Clifton Zoo site before it closes.
I don't remember when exactly the current Reptile House opened, but I do remember it being new. It may be the 'new reptile house' of 1981, but that seems too long ago, so this might be a second 'new reptile house'!
This is the view 'up the ramp' past the display cases of snakes, lizards and small tortoises. Each case provides an appropriate environment for the species it contains, from deserts to mangroves. At the far end is a waterfall and plunge pool inhabited by equatorial frogs and turtles. Going around the end the 'river' from the waterfall falls into another pool where dwarf crocodiles used to swim, though they didn't seem to be in evidence, so may have already left for the Wild Place or another collection.
I don't remember when exactly the current Reptile House opened, but I do remember it being new. It may be the 'new reptile house' of 1981, but that seems too long ago, so this might be a second 'new reptile house'!
This is the view 'up the ramp' past the display cases of snakes, lizards and small tortoises. Each case provides an appropriate environment for the species it contains, from deserts to mangroves. At the far end is a waterfall and plunge pool inhabited by equatorial frogs and turtles. Going around the end the 'river' from the waterfall falls into another pool where dwarf crocodiles used to swim, though they didn't seem to be in evidence, so may have already left for the Wild Place or another collection.
Category Photography / Scenery
Species Unspecified / Any
Size 1280 x 960px
File Size 259.5 kB
Listed in Folders
Funding isn't the real issue, it's more falling footfall.
The very idea of what a zoo is and does has moved on since the Clifton Zoo opened and at just 12 acres the site is far too small for modern concepts of animal welfare. Fewer animals means fewer or less frequent visitors and falling revenue.
The zoological society opened 'The Wild Place' on the edge of the city in 2013, which will become the new Bristol Zoo from 2024.
It is sad that a site which has been a zoo for 186 years, the 5th oldest zoo in the world, will close. But the closure of an old zoo means there will be a tomorrow for several critically endangered species.
I wanted to record a few places and buildings around the site which mean something to me before the end.
The very idea of what a zoo is and does has moved on since the Clifton Zoo opened and at just 12 acres the site is far too small for modern concepts of animal welfare. Fewer animals means fewer or less frequent visitors and falling revenue.
The zoological society opened 'The Wild Place' on the edge of the city in 2013, which will become the new Bristol Zoo from 2024.
It is sad that a site which has been a zoo for 186 years, the 5th oldest zoo in the world, will close. But the closure of an old zoo means there will be a tomorrow for several critically endangered species.
I wanted to record a few places and buildings around the site which mean something to me before the end.
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