Metro Mayor Dan Norris visited the Wild Place Project ahead of the bank holiday weekend and half-term as he encouraged local residents to enjoy our local tourist attractions.
Visitor numbers at Bristol Zoo Gardens and Wild Place Project plummeted last year due to covid closures and limits on visitor numbers. While there were 830,000 visitors in 2019 in 2020 there were just 424,500. But costs such as feeding the animals stayed the same.
Dan Norris met the Chief Executive of Bristol Zoological Society, Dr Justin Morris, as well as some of the tallest residents at Wild Place – their giraffes. The Mayor heard how there is a real chance giraffes could become extinct in the wild due to poaching, the bushmeat trade and habitat loss.
West of England Metro Mayor, Dan Norris said:
“Wild Place Project is a unique place to visit. It’s great to see wild animals such as giraffes, bears, wolves and lynxes in an almost-authentic habitat. I also got an update on the plans to move Bristol Zoo in Clifton to this special site to create an environmentally-friendly zoo, that will have conservation at its heart.
Ahead of half term I want us all to get behind our brilliant local visitor attractions that have had a tough time over the pandemic. Let’s help them back on their feet by experiencing an enjoyable and educational day out for all the family.”