Bristol Zoo

The mammal collection at Bristol Zoo Gardens numbered around 300, representing 50 species, including: gorillas, Asiatic lions, goodfellow's tree-kangaroo, and red pandas. Among species on view at Bristol Zoo Gardens which are rare or absent in other UK zoos were Livingstone's fruit bats, aye ayes and quolls.

The zoo's Twilight Zone was the first of its kind when it opened, there were many other indoor exhibits including an insect and reptile house and aquarium meanwhile outside there were several aviaries and a seal and penguin enclosure. The lakes' islands were home to gorillas, golden lion tamarins, golden-headed lion tamarins, gibbons and squirrel monkeys.

The Zoo announced on 27 November 2020 that after more than 186 years its main centre in Clifton would close in 2022, with some animals moving to its Wild Place Project site close to the M5 motorway and a new conservation zoo being developed there. It closed its gates for the last time on 3 September 2022. The site is being redeveloped for housing. It was listed as an asset of community value in 2021.

Animal exhibits

• Seal and Penguin Coasts was a major attraction at the zoo; opened in 1999, it allowed South American fur seals and African penguins to be watched both above and below the water. The most notable of these African Penguins being CGP Grey the penguin named after internet personality CGP Grey, CGP Grey the penguin died in 2017 (No exact date was given but was first reported on 13 May 2017). The two pools contained 145,000 imperial gallons (660,000 L) of salt water, with waves, waterfalls, rocks and pebble beaches to simulate the natural habitat. The exhibit had a large net over the top to allow Inca terns and common eiders to be kept in the same enclosure.
• Gorilla Island was home to a family of western lowland gorillas. One silverback, Jock as well as Kera, Kala and Touni. In February 2016, Kera's first baby Afia was born after an emergency caesarean section. In April 2017, Touni gave birth to baby Ayana. In August 2020, Kala gave birth to a baby Hasani. Also in December 2020, Touni gave birth to her second baby called Juni. As well as an indoor house, they had a large island. Despite the gorilla's herbivorous diet, keepers did not enter the same space as the apes. This is because not only is there a great risk of injury with these powerful primates, but they also wanted to let the gorillas socialize on their own without human interference.
• The Top Terrace was one of the oldest parts of the zoo. It was home to a pair of Asiatic lions, keas, red pandas, Livingstone's fruit bats, and Greater Flamingos.
• The Reptile House housed a collection of reptiles and amphibians. The house itself was heated and gave a sense of the heat of the rainforest. There were three sections to the house: Desert (Gila monsters, geckos and tortoises), Rainforest (dwarf crocodiles, terrapins and snakes) and the Rearing Room where visitors could view the raising of reptiles and amphibian and also learn about the zoo's conservation work. Outside, but still considered part of the reptile house, was a giant tortoise and rhinoceros iguana enclosure where the animals had access to a heated indoor house and an outdoor enclosure.
• The Aquarium had around 70 species of fish. The aquarium had three sections: The Amazon River (catfish, pacu and piranha), Africa (cichlids) and the coral reef (seahorses, corals and various species of fish). On the outside of the building there was a water sculpture. There were several exhibits of conservation significance on view. Notably, there was a display of endangered cichlids from Lake Barombi Mbo in Cameroon and a display of goodeids from Mexico and paddlefish and alligator gar from North America.
• Bug World, was the zoo's collection of invertebrates, includes species such as Partula snails, stick and leaf insects and corals. Other displays included tarantulas, giant millipedes, honey bees, leaf-cutting ants and Lord Howe Island stick insects. Bug World also housed the Critically Endangered Desertas Wolf Spider. Previous displays included peacock mantis shrimp and black widow spiders.
• Monkey Jungle opened in 2006 and featured four new exhibits replacing the old monkey house. An enclosure was home to crowned lemurs and ring-tailed lemurs where visitors could walk in with the lemurs without any boundaries. The other enclosures were home to brown spider monkeys and lion-tailed macaques. There was also a nearby enclosure for black howler monkeys and six-banded armadillos. The islands opposite Gorilla Island housed a family of squirrel monkeys, a pair of agile gibbons and also golden-headed lion tamarins.
• The Butterfly House was made up of an undercover walk-through in a sustainably-heated, climate-controlled polytunnel. . Species on show included the blue morpho butterflies, glasswings, leopard lacewings and atlas moths. The exhibit was linked to sustainable butterfly producers in Costa Rica. The zoo also supported work to protect the rare silky wave moth in Avon Gorge.