Home of TV favourite Animal Magic is closing after 186 years
Animal Magic ran from 1962 to 1983 at Bristol Zoo
Last updated 2nd Sep 2022
The home of TV favourite Animal Magic is closing this weekend.
Bristol Zoo, the 5th oldest zoo in the world has been open since 1836 and will be closing on Saturday 3rd September.
The zoo was the home of the popular tv show, Animal Magic, which ran from 1962 to 1983.
Presenter Johnny Morris played a zoo keeper in the show, he would talk to the animals and give their responses in mimicked voiceovers.
Bristol zoo closes
The zoo has welcomed 90 million people and saved 175 species from extinction
The 12-acre attraction has earned international acclaim for its conservation breeding programmes.
The zoo's Head of Public Engagement, Simon Garrett told us "I think a lot of people don't have any inkling how old the zoo is,"
"I don't know whether people actually think of this as a historic zoo, but it absolutely is, from start to finish."
"We're the fifth oldest zoo in the world, we're the oldest that's still surviving that's outside a capital city...and I don't think people really have an idea of actually how old that is."
Bristol Zoo Gardens has been home to many pioneering projects and has many animals that have never seen before in the UK including Alfred the gorilla, who lived there from 1930 to 1948.
Roger, a rare black rhino, was the first of his kind born in the UK in 1958.
The zoo's Head of Public Engagement, Simon Garrett also told us "The zoo absolutely did its part during both the First and Second World Wars," Simon said.
"It was opened, and I think for free for wounded soldiers, coming in if they were wounded out of the war...and there was entertainment here.
Many of the animals will be relocated to other sites
After the site closes to the public on Saturday, the animals will slowly be moved on to new locations
Many of its animals will be relocated to its sister site Wild Place which is set to rebrand as the new Bristol Zoo in 2024. They aim to continue conservation work there.
The Bristol Zoological Society which owns the site wants to sell it for housing and a planning application for work is set to be considered by Bristol City Council in the next few months.
Other animal stories you might like
Ferret makes 'miraculous' recovery after going through the wash
Bandit the ferret made a 'miraculous' recovery after going through the wash in January.
Bud the parrot was put on a diet due to a crisp addiction
Bud the parrot was left unable to fly after eating too many crisps. She was put on a diet to help her lose some weight.
A very rare seal pup was rescued from the Yorkshire coast
Egg is a grey seal pup with melanism meaning her coat is almost black. Only 1 in 400 seals are born with the condition.
Neglected dogs become pampered pooches
Thirty abandoned dogs who were found in desperate need of some TLC underwent amazing transformations in RSPCA care.
Our pets might receive the Covid-19 vaccine one day
Scientists have said that our pets may receive the Covid-19 vaccine in the future to help prevent transmission in humans. However, experts assure this is simply precautionary planning for the future and there is no current examples of transmission from pets to owners.
A baby giraffe was named after Margaret Keenan, the first person to receive a Covid-19 vaccine
A baby giraffe born at Whipsnade zoo in Bedfordshire was named Margaret after the first person to receive a Covid-19 vaccine outside of a clinical trial.
Blind guinea pig Ami is guided by her sister Yuki
Being a blind guinea pig doesn't hinder Ami, who is guided by her loyal sister Yuki. According to an RSPCA representative, Yuki "looks out for" her sister every day.
A goat at a bus stop was among the RSPCA's strangest rescues last year
A goat at a bus stop was on the list of the RSPCA's strangest rescues of 2020, which included a seal on the treadmill and a puppy in a lounger chair.
First baby beaver for 600 years
A baby beaver has made history as the first to be born in Norfolk in more than 600 years. Two pairs of beavers were reintroduced near Heacham on the north Norfolk coast, last year. A baby beaver, known as a kit, has since been captured on camera paddling through water at night.
"Angry" chicken ruffles feathers by holding up traffic
An "angry" chicken ruffled feathers by holding up traffic in Littlehampton. Police said the "defensive" bird wasn't allowing anyone near it in Cornwall Road.
Cat missing for more than a decade reunited with owner
Fergus went missing from his Forres owner in late 2010 and 11 years later he was found by Cats Protection volunteers at a recycling centre in Aberdeen. It was only when his microchip was scanned they realised how far away from home he was.
Longleat welcomes first southern koala baby
The first-ever southern koala to have been born in Europe was welcomed by safari park Longleat in Wiltshire, with keepers and staff saying they're 'delighted'.
Missing cat invades football pitch and is reunited with owner
Topsey the cat invaded the pitch during a match between Sheffield Wednesday and Wigan Athletic at Hillsborough Stadium. After the game was stopped so Topsey could have her belly tickled and be escorted off the pitch, she was reunited with owner after being missing for 8 months.
Hear the latest news on Downtown on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.