New name and brand for Wild Place Project marks exciting step towards creation of new conservation zoo

Conservation charity Bristol Zoological Society has revealed a new name and brand, marking a major milestone in its mission to save threatened wildlife.

The 136-acre Wild Place Project site near Junction 17 of the M5, has officially been renamed Bristol Zoo Project today (Friday 21 July).

It comes at a pivotal time in the Society’s 188-year history, as it starts a journey to build a new conservation zoo at the Bristol Zoo Project, where around 80 percent of animals will be linked to its conservation work.

Construction at the site is expected to start in 2024 and will include the creation of new spaces for animals with new species, visitor facilities, exciting play areas and a conservation campus for students, vets, and the breeding of threatened animals.

The first phase of development 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.

The area will also include Endangered African grey parrots, as well as Critically Endangered slender-snouted crocodiles and extremely rare species of West African fish, which visitors will be able to see in a new underwater viewing area.

New logos have been unveiled for Bristol Zoo Project and Bristol Zoological Society, which leads conservation projects in four continents across the world as well as operating the visitor attraction.

The new logo focuses on three letters - zoo. Bristol Zoological Society was the first society to use the word in print and now hopes to redefine the role of zoos in the 21st century.

The branding has been designed to evoke excitement about wildlife and encourage visitors and the community to grow with the zoo, which is focusing its efforts on species that are most in need of conservation, as well as its work in four continents.

Justin Morris, Chief Executive Officer at Bristol Zoological Society, explained how the vision required a new name for Wild Place Project.

“This is a really exciting time not only for the charity but also for our visitors, partners and supporters,” explained Justin.

“We have been running a zoo in Bristol since 1836, so the name ‘Bristol Zoo Project’ reflects our past. But it also reflects our future. This is more than a zoo. It is a ‘Project’ with our visitors, partners and supporters to save wildlife together.

“We worked with local brand agency Peloton Design to explore different design routes for the logos and overall branding. It was important that people see our brands – Bristol Zoological Society, the charity, and Bristol Zoo Project, the zoo – and link them.”

Karen Bird, Director of local design company Peloton Design, who worked with Bristol Zoological Society on its new visual ID, said: “Peloton feel incredibly privileged to have worked with Bristol Zoological Society on this project, and hope the new identity resonates with visitors new and old.”

The unveiling of the branding coincides with the launch of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Trail at Bristol Zoo Project, which runs from Saturday 22 July until Thursday 3 September.

The trail – inspired by Eric Carle’s iconic children’s book – recreates the story of The Very Hungry Caterpillar with a series of super-sized, larger-than-life 3D installations, giant cocoon swings and augmented reality.

Visitors young and old will get the chance to follow the caterpillar’s footsteps, winding their way through giant apple and pear archways, climbing through plum tunnels and swinging in giant cocoons.

To find out more and to take part in The Very Hungry Caterpillar Trail, which is included in ticket prices, visit Bristol Zoological Society’s new website www.bristolzoo.org.uk.