ZooPulseUK

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The latest from UK zoos

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Dive Into Conservation: International Day for Mangrove Ecosystems is Here!

On 26 July, the world celebrates UNESCO's International Day for Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystems – a chance to discover why these incredible 'forest cities' are nature's superheroes. These unique wetlands protect our coastlines, provide vital homes for countless species, and help fight climate change, making them as essential as they are fascinating. Many UK zoos champion mangrove conservation through education and partnerships, so join us in learning how these underwater trees connect us all to a healthier planet!

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Four giant rabbits arrive at Pets' FarmFeatured

Four giant rabbits arrive at Pets' Farm

Pets' Farm has welcomed four young giant rabbits, a mix of Continental Giant and French Lop breeds, currently around four months old. The rabbits will grow to weigh between 5kg and 10kg as adults, and visitors are invited to vote on their names from two themed options.

Continental Giant RabbitFrench Lop Rabbit
Folly Farm launches MonoBräu conservation ale with Tenby Brewing CompanyFeatured
Folly FarmConservation

Folly Farm launches MonoBräu conservation ale with Tenby Brewing Company

Folly Farm has partnered with local brewery Tenby Brewing Company to create MonoBräu, a Macaroni penguin-themed pale ale that donates 20 pence per sale to wildlife conservation. The beer is available at multiple Pembrokeshire outlets and online, with proceeds supporting conservation partners including Wildlife Vets International, Safina Lion Conservation, and Sphenisco.

Macaroni PenguinPenguin
Noah's Ark Zoo Farm celebrates Spectacled Bear Day and conservation partnershipFeatured

Noah's Ark Zoo Farm celebrates Spectacled Bear Day and conservation partnership

Noah's Ark Zoo Farm is highlighting Spectacled Bear Day to raise awareness of South America's only bear species, which is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict. The zoo is home to a family of four spectacled bears and has partnered with the Spectacled Bear Conservation Society to fund GPS tracking research on wild populations in Peru.

Spectacled Bear
K-Pop Summer Event launches with live shows, character meets and family activities

K-Pop Summer Event launches with live shows, character meets and family activities

The zoo is launching a brand-new K-Pop Summer event running daily from 1 to 31 August, featuring a 35-minute live stage show with energetic choreography and chart-topping hits performed three times daily plus an additional evening show on Saturdays. All activities, including interactive character encounters, dance-offs with resident explorer Eliza, prehistoric encounters, conservation activities and access to the animals, are included in standard admission starting from £17.40.

Bristol Zoo Project launches global search for mate for critically endangered Konia eisentrauti cichlidFeatured

Bristol Zoo Project launches global search for mate for critically endangered Konia eisentrauti cichlid

Bristol Zoo Project has discovered that only one Konia eisentrauti cichlid is recorded in accredited zoos worldwide and is appealing globally to locate more individuals to establish a breeding programme. The species is found naturally only in Lake Barombi Mbo, a volcanic crater lake in Cameroon, where habitat loss and deforestation threaten its survival.

Konia eisentrauti Cichlid
Edinburgh Zoo's baby capybara Bru reaches healthy 7 kg milestoneFeatured

Edinburgh Zoo's baby capybara Bru reaches healthy 7 kg milestone

Bru, a young capybara at Edinburgh Zoo, has passed his recent health check and now weighs 7 kg, equivalent to 19 cans of IRN-BRU. The capybara's name was chosen by the public in a social media vote, and footage shows him eagerly investigating the iconic Scottish drink cans during his weigh-in.

Capybara
Shuttle bus service launches at Hertfordshire Zoo

Shuttle bus service launches at Hertfordshire Zoo

Hertfordshire Zoo has introduced a new shuttle bus service operated in partnership with UNO Bus, connecting Broxbourne Station to the zoo for £6 per person return. The service runs from 9:20am to 5:30pm daily, offering visitors a convenient alternative to driving.

National Marine Aquarium launches 'Keeper for a Day' behind-the-scenes experience for summer

National Marine Aquarium launches 'Keeper for a Day' behind-the-scenes experience for summer

The UK's National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth is introducing a limited-edition summer experience allowing visitors aged 16+ to work alongside aquarists caring for over 5,000 marine animals. Participants will learn feeding techniques, conduct water testing, prepare food, and participate in enrichment sessions with species including Green Sea Turtles, Eagle Rays, Boxfish, Cowfish, and Red Mullet.

Green Sea TurtleEagle RayBoxfish
White-faced saki monkey Manu named after Peruvian national park

White-faced saki monkey Manu named after Peruvian national park

A white-faced saki monkey born in March has been officially named Manu, after Manú National Park in Peru, one of the world's most biodiverse regions. The name honours the species' close relatives, the Equatorial and monk saki monkeys, which inhabit the park.

White-faced Saki Monkey
Chinese water deer and red panda arrive at Marwell ZooFeatured
Marwell ZooNew Arrival

Chinese water deer and red panda arrive at Marwell Zoo

Marwell Zoo has welcomed two Chinese water deer, Po and Troy, and a male red panda named Tao, which now share a mixed-species habitat near the Giraffe House. The innovative enclosure design encourages natural behaviours and allows visitors to observe different species interacting together.

Chinese Water DeerRed Panda
Male capybara Ripple arrives at Marwell Zoo from Blackpool Zoo
Marwell ZooNew Arrival

Male capybara Ripple arrives at Marwell Zoo from Blackpool Zoo

Marwell Zoo has welcomed Ripple, a male capybara from Blackpool Zoo, who is being gradually introduced to the zoo's female capybara Tango. Once introductions are complete, the pair will move into a new habitat at the front of the zoo featuring a large pool and ample space to explore.

Capybara
Przewalski's horses Shara and Togs successfully released to wild in KazakhstanFeatured
Marwell ZooConservation

Przewalski's horses Shara and Togs successfully released to wild in Kazakhstan

Two Przewalski's horses born at Marwell Zoo, Shara and Togs, have been successfully released to the wild in their native Kazakhstan as part of an international conservation programme. The release marks a significant milestone in efforts to restore the species, once declared Extinct in the Wild, to its natural range.

Przewalski's HorseHorse
Snow leopard cubs born at Marwell Zoo for first time in over a decadeFeatured

Snow leopard cubs born at Marwell Zoo for first time in over a decade

Female snow leopard Zaya gave birth to two cubs on 20 May, marking the first snow leopard births at Marwell in more than a decade. The cubs have now begun exploring their outdoor habitat under their mother's supervision, and visitors can support wild snow leopard conservation efforts by visiting the family.

Snow Leopard
Marwell Zoo wins three BIAZA Awards for animal welfare and habitat innovation

Marwell Zoo wins three BIAZA Awards for animal welfare and habitat innovation

Marwell Zoo's teams have been recognised with three honours at the British and Irish Association for Zoos and Aquariums Awards, including a win for the Carnivore team's serval vaccination training programme. The Animal Nutrition and Birds teams also received runner-up recognition for their work on species-specific diets and aviary transformation.

Serval
Red panda cub born at the Park, fourth in four yearsFeatured

Red panda cub born at the Park, fourth in four years

A red panda cub has been born to six-year-old Mei Lin and eight-year-old Sanka on 21 June, marking the fourth cub born at the Park in as many years. The sex of the cub is not yet known, and keepers will perform a health check at three months to determine its sex and assign a name beginning with 'O'.

Red Panda

Slither into World Snake Day on 16 July!

Mark your calendars for World Snake Day on 16 July 2026, a global celebration dedicated to these fascinating and often misunderstood reptiles. This special day shines a spotlight on the incredible diversity of snake species, their vital habitats, and why conservation efforts are essential to protect them for future generations. Join UK zoos across the country as they host engaging events, educational talks, and behind-the-scenes experiences to help visitors discover why snakes are absolutely slithering brilliant!

snake
Park supports Red Panda Network conservation efforts in the wild

Park supports Red Panda Network conservation efforts in the wild

The Park sponsors a forest guardian through the Red Panda Network (RPN) to monitor and protect wild red pandas and their habitats in response to rising threats from poaching, hunting, and illegal wildlife trade. With fewer than 10,000 red pandas remaining in the wild, the partnership supports local communities in conservation efforts.

Red Panda
New Forest Wildlife Park highlights role of wolves in European conservation breeding programmes

New Forest Wildlife Park highlights role of wolves in European conservation breeding programmes

The park emphasizes that captive European grey wolf populations maintained through coordinated breeding programmes help preserve genetic diversity and support long-term conservation as wild populations recover across Europe. Wolves, once extinct in Britain, are now naturally re-establishing themselves in Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark and France following protection in Poland since the 1990s.

European Grey Wolf
Two European grey wolves arrive at New Forest Wildlife Park from Belgium and FranceFeatured

Two European grey wolves arrive at New Forest Wildlife Park from Belgium and France

A two-year-old female from Belgium and a one-year-old male from France have arrived at New Forest Wildlife Park, marking the return of wolves to the Hampshire park for the first time since October 2024. The pair were carefully selected through coordination with European zoos and the EAZA EEP breeding programme coordinator, and now inhabit a purpose-built enclosure.

European Grey Wolf
First lowland tapir calf born at Hertfordshire Zoo in 14 yearsFeatured

First lowland tapir calf born at Hertfordshire Zoo in 14 years

Hertfordshire Zoo has welcomed a healthy lowland tapir calf born to mother Fifi on 8 July 2026, marking the first birth of this species at the zoo in 14 years. The calf, born with distinctive cream stripes and spots, is a significant milestone for the zoo's European conservation breeding programme for this vulnerable species.

Lowland TapirTapir
Hertfordshire Zoo supports Lowland Tapir Conservation Initiative in Brazil
Hertfordshire ZooConservation

Hertfordshire Zoo supports Lowland Tapir Conservation Initiative in Brazil

Hertfordshire Zoo is actively supporting lowland tapir conservation through funding and partnership with the Lowland Tapir Conservation Initiative in Brazil. The zoo recognises that lowland tapirs, classified as Vulnerable in the wild, play a crucial role as 'gardeners of the rainforest' by dispersing seeds and maintaining forest health across South America.

Lowland TapirTapir
Wild Summer 2026 Event at Port Lympne Reserve

Wild Summer 2026 Event at Port Lympne Reserve

Port Lympne Reserve is hosting Wild Summer 2026, a summer celebration featuring family entertainment, animal experiences, and seasonal activities. Visitors will have the opportunity to see baby giraffe Jude for the first time, with 25% off kids' tickets available for early bookings.

Giraffe
Inside Longleat returns for new series

Inside Longleat returns for new series

The documentary series Inside Longleat is returning for another season, offering behind-the-scenes access to life at the historic estate. The show will document events and activities throughout the year at the Wiltshire attraction.

Humboldt penguin breeding contributes to European conservation programmeFeatured
Woburn Safari ParkConservation

Humboldt penguin breeding contributes to European conservation programme

Woburn Safari Park's successful Humboldt penguin breeding season supports the coordinated European breeding programme, helping maintain genetic diversity for this vulnerable species. Wild Humboldt penguin populations face threats from habitat loss, climate change, and human disturbance, making captive breeding efforts critical for species survival.

Humboldt PenguinPenguin
Baby Nubian Giraffe Named Jude Born at Port Lympne ReserveFeatured

Baby Nubian Giraffe Named Jude Born at Port Lympne Reserve

Port Lympne Reserve has welcomed a healthy female Nubian giraffe calf named Jude, born on 11 July 2026, marking the reserve's first giraffe birth since 2018. Standing 5ft 8in tall, Jude was sired by resident bull Zubani and mothered by Leana, and her arrival is a significant milestone for the international giraffe conservation breeding programme.

Nubian GiraffeGiraffe

World Chimpanzee Day is Here! 🐵

On 14 July, we celebrate World Chimpanzee Day, marking the anniversary of Jane Goodall's groundbreaking research that began in Gombe, Tanzania in 1960. This special day honours her incredible discoveries about chimp behaviour and intelligence, while raising awareness for their conservation. Visit your local UK zoo to meet these remarkable primates and learn how scientists and zoos worldwide are working together to protect them!

chimpanzee

Make a Splash for World Orca Day on 14 July!

Get ready to celebrate one of the ocean's most intelligent and magnificent creatures on World Orca Day this July 14th! Founded by marine biologist Dr Ingrid Visser, this annual global event shines a spotlight on orca conservation and the health of our marine ecosystems. Join UK zoos and aquariums in raising awareness about these incredible apex predators and discover how you can help protect their ocean homes.

orca

Dive Into Shark Awareness Day on 14 July!

This Shark Awareness Day, join us in celebrating one of the ocean's most misunderstood predators! UK zoos are marking the occasion by uncovering the truth behind shark myths and highlighting why these magnificent creatures are vital to our marine ecosystems. Discover how overfishing threatens shark populations worldwide and learn what you can do to help protect these incredible animals.

shark
Welsh Mountain Zoo hosts daily species talks throughout summer

Welsh Mountain Zoo hosts daily species talks throughout summer

Welsh Mountain Zoo's expert Animal Care Team will deliver daily species talks covering animal behaviour, conservation work, keeper experiences, and welfare. Each talk is different, offering visitors unique learning opportunities about the zoo's animals including snow leopards, red pandas, and lemurs.

Snow LeopardRed PandaLemur
Two female Przewalski's horses from Marwell Zoo released to the wild in KazakhstanFeatured
Marwell ZooConservation

Two female Przewalski's horses from Marwell Zoo released to the wild in Kazakhstan

Shara and Togs, two female Przewalski's horses bred at Marwell Zoo, have been successfully returned to their native range in Kazakhstan as part of an international reintroduction programme. The release marks another milestone in the species' remarkable recovery from extinction in the wild, with Marwell having worked with Przewalski's horses for over 50 years since the zoo's opening in 1972.

Przewalski's HorseHorse
Chester Zoo hosts Met Office weather summit with UK tourism leaders

Chester Zoo hosts Met Office weather summit with UK tourism leaders

Chester Zoo is hosting a summit on 13 July bringing together the Met Office, government officials, and heads of 16 major UK visitor attractions to address how weather forecast icons are displayed on apps. The meeting aims to produce jointly agreed recommendations to fix misleading rain forecasts that have been costing attractions up to £137,000 per day in lost visitors.

Noah's Ark Zoo Farm Senior Elephant Keeper Attends International Husbandry Workshop at Chester Zoo

Noah's Ark Zoo Farm Senior Elephant Keeper Attends International Husbandry Workshop at Chester Zoo

Senior Elephant Keeper Connor Dennis attended the annual Elephant Resource Management and Husbandry Workshop at Chester Zoo in June, joining keepers from across Europe and the USA for five days of discussions, lectures, and practical sessions. The workshop covered topics including programme design, nutrition, foot care, EEHV, tusk and molar problems, transport, and emergency responses, with oversight from world-renowned elephant consultant Alan Roocroft.

Elephant
Port Lympne's Palace of the Apes recognized as world's most successful western lowland gorilla breederFeatured

Port Lympne's Palace of the Apes recognized as world's most successful western lowland gorilla breeder

Port Lympne and sister park Howletts are now recognized as the world's most successful breeders of western lowland gorillas, with generations born at the reserve helping safeguard this critically endangered species. The pioneering Palace of the Apes habitat, opened in 2000, recreates natural rainforest features and allows visitors to observe daily rooftop feeds and family interactions.

Western Lowland GorillaGorilla
Howletts Wild Animal Park launches Monkey Week summer celebration

Howletts Wild Animal Park launches Monkey Week summer celebration

Howletts Wild Animal Park is hosting Monkey Week from 3rd to 9th August 2026 as part of its six-week Summer Roar celebrations. The event invites families to explore the park's collection of rare and endangered primates, including lion-tailed macaques, François' langurs, gelada baboons, and ten other monkey species.

Black & White ColobusDe Brazza's MonkeyDusky Langur
Big Cat Week returns to Howletts Wild Animal Park this summer

Big Cat Week returns to Howletts Wild Animal Park this summer

Howletts Wild Animal Park is hosting Big Cat Week from 27th July to 2nd August 2026, featuring playful Sumatran tiger cubs, African lions, and Northern Chinese leopards. The event coincides with International Tiger Day on 29th July and is part of the Summer Roar 2026 celebration.

Sumatran TigerAfrican LionNorthern Chinese Leopard
Port Lympne's eastern black rhino breeding programme marks historic milestone with 40+ calves bornFeatured

Port Lympne's eastern black rhino breeding programme marks historic milestone with 40+ calves born

Port Lympne has successfully bred more than 40 eastern black rhino calves since the first calf, Basha, was born in 1977, making it one of the reserve's greatest conservation achievements. In 1995, Bwana Kidogo became the world's first captive-born black rhino successfully returned to Africa, with descendants continuing to thrive in the wild today.

Black RhinoRhino
Artisan Market returns to Welsh Mountain Zoo on 25 July

Artisan Market returns to Welsh Mountain Zoo on 25 July

The Artisan Market Company is hosting a special family event at Welsh Mountain Zoo in Colwyn Bay on Saturday 25 July, featuring over 50 arts, crafts and Welsh produce stalls alongside keeper talks and street food. Zoo entry is discounted by 20% for the event, with under-3s and carers admitted free.

Banham Zoo upgrades Penguin Cove with enhanced breeding facilities
Banham ZooExhibit

Banham Zoo upgrades Penguin Cove with enhanced breeding facilities

Penguin Cove is undergoing a major upgrade including a second pool, enhanced breeding programme facilities, and new glass-fronted viewing areas. African black-footed penguins are temporarily relocated during the improvements to support the zoo's important breeding programme.

African Black-footed Penguin
Banham Zoo opens new South American habitat this summer
Banham ZooExhibit

Banham Zoo opens new South American habitat this summer

A brand-new mixed-species South American habitat is opening at Banham Zoo this summer, transforming an underused area into a vibrant wildlife environment. The habitat has been designed with animal welfare at its heart and will provide visitors with an engaging opportunity to discover South America's unique wildlife and conservation importance.

UK's largest seagrass restoration project launches in CornwallFeatured

UK's largest seagrass restoration project launches in Cornwall

The Ocean Conservation Trust and Cornwall Wildlife Trust have begun a £1.8 million marine recovery programme to restore 10 hectares of seagrass meadow in Falmouth Bay and native oyster populations across the Fal and Helford Special Areas of Conservation. The three-year Mor Nature project aims to contribute to government targets to increase seagrass by 15% by 2043 and will involve multiple partners including the Zoological Society of London and the University of Exeter.

Folly Farm named Campsites.co.uk Outstanding Site for 2026

Folly Farm named Campsites.co.uk Outstanding Site for 2026

Folly Farm has been recognised as one of only 150 Outstanding Sites across the UK by Campsites.co.uk for 2026. The award reflects a 4.98 rating and 100% recommend rating from verified guest reviews, recognising the Holiday Park team's commitment to providing excellent touring and camping experiences.

Black-tailed godwit breeding programme receives £650k funding boost for UK recoveryFeatured
Slimbridge WWTConservation

Black-tailed godwit breeding programme receives £650k funding boost for UK recovery

WWT has secured £650,000 from Natural England's Species Recovery Programme to expand captive breeding and release efforts for black-tailed godwits, a species reduced to fewer than 40 breeding pairs in the UK. The funding will support hatching and rearing chicks at WWT Slimbridge before releasing them into the wild, alongside RSPB research into population dynamics and implementation of a national action plan.

Black-tailed Godwit
Howletts celebrates Elephant Week during Summer Roar 2026

Howletts celebrates Elephant Week during Summer Roar 2026

Howletts Wild Animal Park is hosting Elephant Week from 10th to 16th August 2026 as part of Summer Roar 2026, inviting visitors to discover facts about and meet one of the UK's most celebrated African elephant herds. The event offers families the opportunity to learn about elephant behaviour, family bonds, and conservation while observing the park's herd of ten elephants.

African ElephantElephant
Howletts welcomes mature bull African elephant Shaka as part of breeding programmeFeatured

Howletts welcomes mature bull African elephant Shaka as part of breeding programme

Shaka, an impressive mature bull African elephant, has arrived at Howletts Wild Animal Park to join the breeding herd as part of an internationally coordinated conservation breeding programme. His arrival represents an important step in safeguarding the future of this endangered species while offering visitors new insights into elephant social behaviour.

African ElephantElephant
Blair Drummond Safari Park hosts Chimp Day celebration on 11 July

Blair Drummond Safari Park hosts Chimp Day celebration on 11 July

Blair Drummond Safari Park is hosting a full-day Chimp Day event on Saturday 11 July featuring interactive activities, conservation education, and fundraising for wild chimpanzee protection. Visitors can compare hands with chimps, explore a life-sized nest, participate in conservation challenges, and support Link to the Wild partners through a tombola.

Chimpanzee
Dartmoor Zoo announces pregnancy of Brazilian Tapir ChanaFeatured
Dartmoor ZooConservation

Dartmoor Zoo announces pregnancy of Brazilian Tapir Chana

Chana, a female Brazilian Tapir at Dartmoor Zoo, is expecting a calf fathered by Erro, a male who arrived from Linton Zoo in April 2025. This pregnancy is a significant conservation milestone, as only 15 Brazilian Tapir calves have been born in zoos worldwide in the last 12 months, with just one born in the UK.

Brazilian TapirTapir
Conservation Coordinator Jack Williams named BIAZA Rising Star runner-up

Conservation Coordinator Jack Williams named BIAZA Rising Star runner-up

Jack Williams, Conservation and Development Coordinator at Dudley Zoo, has been recognised as BIAZA's Rising Star runner-up for his contributions to animal care and conservation. Williams has led community projects, supported the arrival of critically endangered species including the glutinous snail, and holds key roles in regional and international conservation networks.

Glutinous SnailBlack LemurLemur
Reindeer Ravine wins BIAZA Habitats Award

Reindeer Ravine wins BIAZA Habitats Award

Dudley Zoo's transformed Reindeer Ravine habitat has won the prestigious BIAZA Habitats category award for 2024. The purpose-built enclosure replaced the former Bear Ravine and has delivered improved animal welfare, natural behaviours, and visitor engagement for the reindeer herd.

Reindeer