Colchester Zoo

Colchester Zoo is now one of the finest Zoos in Europe due to a constant programme of development and has won the coveted Large Visitor Attraction of the Year” Award and the “Sustainable Tourism Award” for its efforts in recycling and green practices from the East of England Tourist Board. With over 270 species to see, set in 60 acres of beautiful parkland and lakes, Colchester Zoo is well worth a visit. There are over 40 daily displays, an undercover soft play area, 4 adventure play areas, 2 road trains and much more!

Conservation is the principle role of all zoos, as they work to preserve animal species, many of which are endangered. Two of the main ways that Colchester Zoo is involved with conservation are via captive breeding programmes and supporting conservation projects in the wild.Colchester Zoo is part of a wider network working to conserve species. In the UK, they are part of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquaria (BIAZA) and across Europe; the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). These programmes involve the monitoring and management of species between different zoos, helping to maintain genetic diversity. This management is highly important for those species at risk of extinction, as the programmes provide ‘back up’ populations, which could be used for reintroduction projects into the wild or potentially the donation of sperm or eggs to wild populations.

Colchester Zoo also supports conservation in the wild, actively supporting a number of different conservation projects around the world, which are all working to protect endangered species. Colchester Zoo supports these many projects through its charity Action for the Wild, which was set up in 1993 and achieved charitable status in 2004.

For more information on Colchester Zoo please visit their website- www.colchester-zoo.com