A POPULAR zoo has officially been renamed and rebranded following the merging of two wildlife sites.

The Wild Place Project in Easter Compton has today (Friday, July 21) officially been named as Bristol Zoo Project. 

The new name, according to the owners Bristol Zoological Society, reflects the organisation's "past and future" following the closure of Bristol Zoo Gardens in Clifton last September.

In April, the Zoo received planning permission for a housing development of nearly 200 homes on the Clifton site. 

Meanwhile, according to the charity, construction at 136-acre the South Gloucestershire site will begin next year in 2024. 

The first phase includes the creation of a Central African Forest habitat for the zoo's existing troop of Western lowland gorillas and a new group of Endangered cherry-crowned mangabey monkeys. 

The area will also include Endangered African grey parrots, as well as Critically Endangered slender-snouted crocodiles and extremely rare species of West African fish, which visitors will be able to see in a new underwater viewing area. 

In addition, also being built includes new visitor facilities, play areas and a conservation campus for students, vets, and the breeding of threatened animals.

Gazette Series: The Bristol Zoo Project team celebrating the new name and branding - picture by Freia Turland Photography The Bristol Zoo Project team celebrating the new name and branding - picture by Freia Turland Photography (Image: Freia Turland Photography)

Justin Morris, chief executive officer at Bristol Zoological Society said: “This is a really exciting time not only for the charity but also for our visitors, partners and supporters. 

“We have been running a zoo in Bristol since 1836, so the name Bristol Zoo Project reflects our past. But it also reflects our future. This is more than a zoo. 

“It is a project with our visitors, partners and supporters to save wildlife together.

“We worked with local brand agency Peloton Design to explore different design routes for the logos and overall branding. 

“It was important that people see our brands – Bristol Zoological Society, the charity, and Bristol Zoo Project, the zoo – and link them.” 

The Bristol Zoo Project has been in operation for nearly 15 years. 

The new branding and launch coincides with the opening of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Trail, which will be open during the school holidays from Saturday, July 22 to Thursday, September 3.

To find out more visit Bristol Zoological Society’s new website www.bristolzoo.org.uk