Posted on: 20 December, 2023
From the announcement of a new conservation zoo to include our western lowland gorilla troop, to a visit by conservationist Chris Packham, as well as conservation success for our species home and abroad, it’s been a year to remember. And all of this is thanks to you.
So, as a thank you, here are some of the best images from 2023, to celebrate a year of remarkable achievements and milestones!
Chris Packham helps launch our Recover Local Nature Appeal. The money raised will directly support the Society's work and the conservationists who protect local wildlife and restore habitats.
You helped us capture endangered mammals on camera traps in Bénoué National Park in Cameroon, and fund training of eco guards to prevent poaching, enabling species to flourish.
Alice the wolverine gave birth to three kits! The wolverine family live in Bear Wood, the award winning exhibit showcasing the rich diversity and importance of this unique habitat.
With your support, 301 captive-born, white-clawed crayfish were released into Hampshire and Somerset ark sites from our hatcheries.
Thanks to you, our team in Madagascar has helped grow and plant out over 15,000 seedlings in our efforts to increase forest habitat in Sahamalaza Iles Radama National Park.
You helped us play a key role in conservation, as two of the world's most threatened species of bird were successfully bred at Bristol Zoo Project. We welcomed a Socorro dove, which are extinct in the wild, and a male Visayan tarictic hornbill.
We revealed a new name and brand, marking a major milestone in our mission to save threatened wildlife. The first phase of development, starting in 2024, will see the creation of a Central African Forest habitat, which will become home to the zoo’s troop of western lowland gorillas. Here, they will live with a new group of Endangered cherry-crowned mangabey monkeys in an immersive woodland exhibit, reflecting their natural habitat as closely as possible.
Two Endangered Philippine spotted deer arrive at Bristol Zoo Project. In the wild the species is being threatened by habitat loss and illegal hunting in the Philippines. It’s hoped that the duo will go on to start a family of their own to help safeguard the future of the species, which is thought to be made up of fewer than 700 individuals in the wild.
You helped establish a programme in partnership with local communities in Equatorial Guinea to develop fences to keep elephants away from farms and crops, enabling humans and elephants to co-exist peacefully.
Your support helped fund a biodiversity monitoring project and training of local guides in ways to collect data on Madagascar’s threatened lemur species, just like Haja and Olanna the blue-eyed black lemur pair who moved to Bristol Zoo Project this year.
You helped our research team to monitor mangabey monkeys in the Udzungwa Mountains National Park in Tanzania, improving our understanding of a poorly understood but highly threated primate species. A troop of mangabey monkeys will soon come to Bristol Zoo Project and live alongside our lowland gorillas in the new Central African Forests habitat – work is due to start in 2024.
Our Access to Nature appeal was launched, offering children and young people from less advantaged backgrounds opportunities to visit Bristol Zoo Project and pursue careers in conservation.
Thanks for all your support this year. Every visit, membership, adoption and donation allows us to continue Saving Wildlife Together. Here's to 2024!
