Bristol zoo, opened in 1836, is the oldest "non-capital" zoo in the world. Its main task zoo sees "the breeding of those species threatened destruction; the conservation of rare species; the dissemination of knowledge about nature."

Bristol zoo – the zoo is old, appeared in the Victorian era. He is small by modern standards – the territory, which contains about 7,000 animals of more than 400 species. Some buildings of the zoo are of architectural value and are protected by the state, despite the fact that the animals they are now unusable.

The zoo pays much attention to the breeding of rare and endangered species. Here for the first time in Britain was obtained offspring from black rhinos (1958), for the first time in Europe in captive-born chimpanzee (1938) and first in the world to - cub squirrel monkeys (they) (1953).

Exactly at Bristol zoo for the first time appeared in the world of "the twilight zone". With the help of artificial light day and night in a cage reversed and visitors can observe the life and activity of nocturnal animals. Now "the twilight zone" comprised of four sections: desert, where you can see the sand cat, mongoose, rattlesnakes; rain forest, inhabited by Laurie, sloth, ay-ay, possum and others; cave inhabited by blind fish, Scorpions, etc.; and the house in which nights awake mice and rats.

On the pond a variety of live waterfowl, and the island in the middle of the pond is home to gorillas and small monkeys. In the terrarium contains a variety of amphibians and reptiles. The zoo boasts a huge collection of insects : beetles and butterflies. In the aquarium exotic fish - the inhabitants of the Amazon, coral reefs, etc.

Bristol zoo works with other zoos around the world, participate in international programmes for the conservation and reintroduction of rare animals, both in Britain and in other countries.