The fifth oldest zoo in the world, Bristol Zoo Gardens was founded in 1835, and still occupies the same site in Clifton. A popular and successful attraction ever since, the zoo now plays an important role as a centre for scientific research and education. With full time education and science officers on the staff, the zoo places a great emphasis on conservation work and educating the public.

A breeding programme for endangered species is coordinated with European efforts. Since 1934, when Bristol was the birthplace of the first chimpanzee to be conceived and born in Europe, the zoo has enjoyed many notable successes, in the past with western lowland gorillas, polar bears, okapis and pancake tortoises, and more recently with Asiatic lions and Livingstone's fruit bats.

The zoo's Bristol Conservation and Science Foundation is involved in long-term conservation projects around the world, working with organisations like the Cameroon Wildlife Aid Fund to protect endangered species - in this case large primates threatened by the illegal bushmeat trade - and to involve local people.
A fine balance between education and entertainment is maintained at the Clifton site, with visitors given the opportunity to get involved in conservation campaigns. Lively, hands-on workshops teach visitors about the threats faced by wildlife in the UK. Native species have been bred and reintroduced at the zoo, including the Barberry carpet moth and the water vole.

After years of consultation and planning, the zoo is close to starting work on a new National Wildlife Conservation Park on land to the north of Bristol. This 55 hectare world wildlife reserve will be the first of its kind in the UK, designed to link specific ecosystems and conservation programmes across the world with immersive exhibits which will be home to wild animals such as tigers, black tip sharks, bonobos (a species of chimpanzee) and brown bears.
Sustainable design and building techniques are integral to the project - not surprisingly, since Bristol Zoo Gardens has achieved a 39.6% reduction in its carbon emissions since 2006.