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Members early openings

We’re inviting our members, company members and patrons into the zoo early to get an exclusive behind-the-scenes view of what happens before we open the gates to the public.

See the animals slowly waking up and going about their own morning routine, whilst our team of keepers, staff and volunteers get the zoo ready to welcome visitors.

Plus, you'll be getting up close to a different species for each of the early opening dates with additional talks!

Early entry is only between 9.00 – 9.30am. The Courtyard Café will be open for refreshments from 9am.

  • Sunday 3 August - The animals of African Forest

  • Saturday 30 August - Remarkable reptiles

Not a member? Find out more about Bristol Zoo Project membership here.

Sunday 3 August – The animals of African Forest talk with Beth Smith

A young gorilla sits on a patch of grass

Find out all about the incredible species coning to our brand new area, African Forest. As well as our Critically Endangered western lowland gorilla troop, African Forest will also become home to Critically Endangered slender-snouted crocodiles, Endangered African grey parrots and several extremely threatened species of West African freshwater fish.

From planting trees and sourcing plant species, to installing biofloors and doing huge amounts of research, each area of the habitat has been designed to exactly suit the needs of the species which will call it home!

Saturday 30 August – Remarkable reptiles talk with Finn Crouch

Join us for a journey from the rich green streams and rivers of Southwest England, all the way to the dense rainforest of Tanzania. Both just as stunning and full of life…yet fragile and under threat. We'll discover secrets about curious crayfish, rival invasive species of fauna and flora, gorgeous geckos, and towering forests. Let’s jump in together, become conservationists and learn what we can do to help our amazing wildlife right on our doorstep.