The Earl of Wessex visits Bristol Zoo Gardens to celebrate 175 years - 20/10/11

A special guest visited Bristol Zoo Gardens today to mark the attraction’s 175^thanniversary.

HRH the Earl of Wessex met staff, volunteers and visitors on a tour of the Zoo, followed by a reception for invited guests and staff.

The Director of Bristol Zoo, Dr Bryan Carroll, said: “We are honored and delighted to have The Earl of Wessex visiting us in our 175^thyear. There have been many highlights so far, including the opening of our new meerkat exhibit, the launch of The Bristol Walk of Fame, our 175^thbirthday party and of course our Wow! Gorillas project. This visit really marks an exceptionally special year for us and we are thrilled.”

During the visit, HRH the Earl of Wessex unveiled a commemorative plaque and was presented with a gift of a small Wow! Gorilla sculpture in the style of the Gorisambard Wow! Gorilla. He praised the hard work done by staff and volunteers behind the scenes, and commented on the Zoo’s leading role in conservation, as well as wishing the Zoo every success for the future.

Tim Miness, who made the mini Gorizambard sculpture along with Tony Hitchcock, said: “It's amazing to have created a piece of artwork that has been gifted to the Royal family, a gorilla with a top-hat no less, now that's something to tell the grandchildren! 

Over the last 175 years Bristol Zoo Gardens has brought six generations of Bristolians closer to wildlife, helped save over 175 species from extinction through captive breeding, established over 30 field conservation and research programmes all over the world, showed 40 million school aged children the value of nature for human society and have given more than 90 million visitors a great day out.

In its early years, Bristol Zoo received the gift of a lioness from Queen Victoria, and in 1868 the Maharajah of Mysore sent over Zebi the Asian elephant, which became renowned for removing and eating straw hats!

To find out more about Bristol Zoo Gardens, visit the website at www.bristolzoo.org.ukor phone 0117 974 7300.

ENDS

For media enquiries only, please contact the Bristol Zoo Gardens press office:

Lucy King, T: 0117 974 7306, E: lking@bristolzoo.org.uk

Vanessa Hollier, T: 0117 974 7309, E: vhollier@bristolzoo.org.uk

Notes to editors

1. Throughout 2011 we’re bring people, businesses, charities and wildlife together to share amazing experiences that raise awareness and funds to save threatened wildlife and places. To find out more, visit www.bristolzoo.org.uk/whats-on
2. Bristol Zoo has supported and been actively in gorilla conservation in Cameroon since 1998.
3. Throughout 2011 we will be focusing our efforts on raising funds and awareness in support of gorilla conservation.
4. Throughout 2011 Bristol Zoo will support the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria Ape Campaign. The campaign aims to make a significant and lasting contribution to the continued survival of apes and their habitats, and is being led by Dr Bryan Carroll, the Director of Bristol Zoo.
5. To find out more about the EAZA Ape Campaign visit the Zoo website at www.bristolzoo.org.uk/conservation-campaigns.
6. Bristol Zoo is involved with more than 100 co-ordinated breeding programmes for threatened wildlife species. 
7. Itemploys over 150 full and part-time staff to care for the animals and run a successful visitor attraction to support its conservation and education work. 
8. Bristol Zoo supports – through finance and skill sharing - 15 projects in the UK and abroad that conserveand protectsome of the world’s most endangered species.
9. In 2010 Bristol Zoo Gardens set up a Conservation Fund to raise vital funds to help care for threatened animals and plants – both in the Zoo and through the conservation work we do in the UK and around the world.
10. BristolZoo Gardensis a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums. BIAZA represents more than 90 member collections and promotes the values of good zoos and aquariums.