Volunteers from international charity Ripple Effect visited Noah's Ark Zoo Farm in early June 2026 to build a keyhole garden and plant pumpkins for the zoo's autumn Pumpkinfest. The keyhole garden is a circular raised bed designed for efficient water and compost use, featuring a central composting basket that reflects sustainable agricultural techniques supported by Ripple Effect across Africa.
After a regeneration period, Noah's Ark Zoo Farm has reopened its unique 5,000 square metre willow plantation to its five African bull elephants on 13th August 2026. The plantation, located in Elephant Eden in North Somerset, is the first of its kind in the UK and only one in Europe, providing natural browsing habitat that is periodically rested to allow vegetation recovery.
Impi and Mchumba, two African bull elephants, arrived at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm in May 2026 and have been settling well into the existing bachelor group of five bulls. The new arrivals are now exploring the reopened willow plantation as part of becoming familiar with their expanded habitat.
Noah's Ark Zoo Farm is hosting the Safina Lion Conservation Fund on World Lion Day (10 August 2026) with a special talk at 3pm and touch table experience. The event highlights conservation efforts to protect wild lion populations, which have declined to fewer than 23,000 individuals across Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
The zoo's two African lions, Arusha and her son Tau, are now inhabiting a newly improved habitat designed by specialist zoo architect Jonathan McLoughlin. The naturalistic enclosure features elevated mounds, large boulders and climbing opportunities, offering visitors immersive views while supporting the lions' wellbeing and natural behaviours.
Tau, a male African lion at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm, is the grandson of Safina, the lion who inspired the creation of the Safina Lion Conservation Fund. This family connection creates a meaningful link between the zoo's lions and global conservation efforts to protect wild lion populations.
Noah's Ark Zoo Farm is hosting World Elephant Day on 12th August 2026, celebrating its five African bull elephants and highlighting the importance of dedicated male elephant facilities. The event will showcase Elephant Eden, the UK's largest elephant habitat at 20 acres, and the zoo's conservation partnership with Elephants for Africa.
Noah's Ark Zoo Farm has partnered with Elephants for Africa, a conservation charity dedicated to protecting endangered African elephants through research and community collaboration. The charity, established in 2008, operates in Botswana focusing on male elephant behaviour, human-wildlife conflict reduction, and education.
Staff at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm participated in a special bat walk on 3rd August 2026, using bat detectors to identify ultrasonic calls across the zoo's 100-acre North Somerset site. A recent bat survey revealed 16 different bat species using the zoo and surrounding habitats, highlighting the site's importance for local biodiversity.
A bat survey at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm identified 16 bat species and revealed the site supports diverse native wildlife including barn owls and hares, demonstrating the zoo's role as a haven for local biodiversity. The survey was conducted in partnership with the University of Bath's Bat Conservation Research Lab, North Somerset Council, the British Trust for Ornithology and Avon Wildlife Trust.
Katie Cox completed a 22km Walking for Wildlife challenge at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm, raising £820 for conservation efforts. The funds will support animal care at the zoo and global conservation projects, including tracking collar programmes for monitoring lions and bears in the wild.
Aqua, a rescue tiger trafficked across Europe in 2019, arrived at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm in October 2025 after being rescued from appalling conditions at the Poland-Belarus border. The zoo is fundraising through an appeal to support his long-term care, specialist diet, enrichment, and habitat development as he continues his recovery.
On 29th July, International Tiger Day highlights the plight of tigers, which have lost over 93% of their historic range and declined from approximately 100,000 to just 5,000 individuals in the wild. The zoo uses the occasion to raise awareness of poaching, illegal wildlife trade, habitat loss, and the extinction of three tiger subspecies.
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.
Noah's Ark Zoo Farm welcomed twin spectacled bears Tuichi and Beni, born in 2022 to parents Rasu and Maddidi. The birth is part of the international breeding programme for this vulnerable species.
Noah's Ark Zoo Farm is running a naming competition for their new Highland calf, with entries accepted until 20th July 2026. The winning name will be announced on Monday 20th July, and the person who submitted it will receive a personalised adoption package and family day tickets for two adults and two children.
A female Highland calf has been born at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm, and the zoo is inviting visitors to help name her. The public can submit name suggestions for a £2 donation, with the winning entry receiving a personalised adoption package and family day tickets.
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.
Katie Cox is undertaking a walking challenge at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm on 2 July 2026 to raise funds for the zoo's animal care and global conservation projects. The fundraiser will also create elephant illustrations to raise awareness of elephant conservation while encouraging visitor donations.
As temperatures across the UK soar to 39°C, Noah's Ark Zoo Farm is using enrichment activities and cooling measures to keep animals safe and comfortable. Keepers are providing ice lollies, hose-downs, pool access, mud wallows, and shaded areas across habitats to help residents regulate their body temperature.
