The Tropical House features new species living together in one environment
Visitors explore the Tropical House at Bristol Zoo Project (Image: ©Barbara Evripidou)
The humid climate of Asia and Africa is being recreated in a new habitat at Bristol Zoo Project featuring 14 species of reptiles, mammals, insects and birds.
The Tropical House features new species living together in one environment with many listed as threatened on the IUCN red list. The habitat offers a walkthrough experience for visitors to see the radiated tortoise and free roaming birds.
These include the Mindanao bleeding heart dove and Palawan peacock pheasant which are classified as vulnerable in the wild. Other residents include the Philippine mouse deer and birds such as the Victoria crowned pigeon and orange headed thrush.
Nigel Simpson, head of zoo animals, said: “It has been exciting to see the Tropical House take shape and to welcome several new species to the zoo. This is an immersive habitat where visitors are able to come face to face with birds, mammals and reptiles that they have most likely never seen before.
Visitors explore the Tropical House at Bristol Zoo Project (Image: ©Barbara Evripidou)
“Several of the species are facing significant threats in the wild. By bringing visitors closer to these animals, they can learn more about them, and we can raise awareness of their plight. By visiting the zoo, our guests are helping to conserve and protect threatened species and the habitats in which they live.”
Bristol Zoo Project, which is undergoing major development following the closure of Bristol Zoo, is run by the conservation and education charity Bristol Zoological Society.
It works in nine countries including Tanzania, the Philippines and Madagascar where some of the new species are found. The society participates in more than 50 co-ordinated breeding programmes. Visitors will view two reptile species part of this work which are the turquoise dwarf gecko and Henkel’s leaf tailed gecko.
The Tropical House is open to the public and visitors can join the Big Gift Hunt as part of the Merry and Wild Christmas events. A festive trail is available to explore with prizes to be won and a chance to see animals receive enrichments during daily festive feeds.