The University of Suffolk and Colchester Zoological Society are launching a new BSc (Hons) Zoo Science and Management course starting September 2027, combining academic learning with practical experience at the zoo. Students will spend half their time on campus in Ipswich and half at Colchester Zoo, with optional field trips to UK wildlife facilities and a residential trip option to South Africa's Umphafa Nature Reserve.
Ebby, a 19-year-old female Humboldt Penguin who arrived from Germany in 2007, and Peru, a 13-year-old male from the Czech Republic who joined in 2014, have formed a strong bond following the deaths of their respective previous partners Mako and Tequila this year. The pair are now rarely seen apart and can be observed together at their favourite spots amongst the bamboo and in their nest box on the Inca Trail.
The Sealion Shores enclosure at Colchester Zoo has been transformed and adapted to welcome California Sea Lions Sofia and Cali. The habitat features underwater tunnel viewing and has been redesigned by in-house staff to provide optimal conditions for the new residents.
Colchester Zoological Society has welcomed California Sea Lion mother Sofia (16) and her daughter Cali (4) from Welsh Mountain Zoo, marking the introduction of an entirely new species to the zoo's collection. The pair have settled into the revamped Sealion Shores habitat, which has been specially adapted to accommodate them following the passing of the zoo's Patagonian Sea Lions in March.
Colchester Zoo has submitted its 200th biological sample to the RZSS WildGenes Biobank at Edinburgh Zoo, marking a major conservation milestone. The biobank stores blood, tissues, and other genetic material from multiple species to support wildlife research, disease monitoring, and genetic diversity preservation across endangered populations.
Colchester Zoo welcomed a specialist mobile CT scanner from Burgess Diagnostics on 27th August, scanning ten animals including aardvarks, a red panda, and a sloth to assess their health. The advanced imaging technology, operated with support from veterinarians at the International Zoo Veterinary Group, allows the care team to detect health issues that routine examinations cannot reveal.
Keepers at CZS discovered pumpkin seedlings growing from elephant dung months after the animals were fed pumpkins as enrichment, which later developed into a thriving pumpkin patch. The observation showcases the vital ecological role elephants play in seed dispersal and ecosystem health in the wild.
CZS has provided ongoing support to the Elephant Orphanage Project in Zambia since 2010 to protect and safeguard wild elephant populations. The partnership reflects the zoo's commitment to conservation work extending beyond its own facilities.
The zoo's Estates and Maintenance Team have transformed the flamingo indoor house and expanded the fenced habitat area to accommodate the enlarged flock of 64 birds. New viewing access has been installed along Scoop and Go and Wrap and Roll to allow visitors better sightlines of the vibrant flamingos.
Thirty-nine Chilean flamingos have arrived at Colchester Zoological Society from Auchingarrich Wildlife Park, expanding the zoo's existing flock of 25 birds to a total of 64. The birds completed quarantine and health checks before being mixed with the current residents on 3rd August 2026, with the zoo hoping the larger flock will encourage breeding.
UmPhafa Nature Reserve in South Africa has received new boots for its field rangers through a sponsorship initiative by Jim Green and the Game Ranger Association of Africa. The reserve, managed by Colchester Zoological Society, relies on these rangers to protect endangered species including cheetahs, wild dogs, leopards, and vultures from poaching threats across its 6,000-hectare area.
Fennec fox Pinky gave birth to multiple kits on 22 June 2026, with both parents Pinky and Otis caring for the young in their den. This is the zoo's second successful rearing since 2008 and marks the first litter for both first-time parents.
A Humboldt penguin chick hatched on 4th May 2026 to parents OJ and Diego, marking the couple's third offspring. The chick shares its birthday with an older sibling, Skywalker, and the birth is significant for the European breeding programme given the species' Vulnerable conservation status.
The zoo has received runner-up recognition in the 2026 BIAZA Sustainability Award for its Cross-Sector Collaboration for Sustainability initiative. The award recognises partnerships built with local schools, parish councils, community nature groups, and organisations across Essex to drive environmental change and support nature recovery.
A healthy cherry-crowned mangabey baby was born to first-time mother Maja on 27th May 2026, marking the zoo's first birth of this species in nine years. The birth follows a European breeding programme recommendation and is significant for the conservation of this Endangered species, which has declined dramatically in Cameroon due to hunting and the bushmeat trade.
A single coppery titi monkey offspring was born on 9 May 2026 to parents Copper and Lewis at Colchester Zoological Society. The birth is significant for the European breeding programme, as the species faces threats from hunting and the pet trade in the wild.
Golden lion tamarins have been successfully recovered from Critically Endangered status in 2003 to Endangered, with approximately one-third of the current wild population originating from zoo-based conservation centres. The species, which numbered fewer than 200 individuals in the early 1970s, continues to benefit from collaborative international breeding programmes managed by EAZA across European zoos.
A single golden lion tamarin offspring was born on 29th April 2026 to parents Freia and Tree-trunks, who were paired as part of an EAZA Ex Situ Programme breeding recommendation. The new arrival is the second offspring for the couple, following the birth of female Esme in June 2025, and represents continued success in zoo-managed conservation efforts for this Endangered species.
Colchester Zoological Society has been recognised in Tripadvisor's Travellers' Choice Awards 2026, ranking among the top 10% of attractions worldwide and as a top-rated attraction in England. The award is based on genuine visitor reviews collected over a 12-month period and recognises the zoo's commitment to delivering a first-class experience.
A 26-year-old female chimpanzee named Jessie arrived at the zoo on 28th April 2026 from Welsh Mountain Zoo as part of a European breeding programme. Her arrival is part of a coordinated EEP (EAZA Ex Situ Programme) conservation effort to maintain genetically diverse populations of this endangered species.
