Birmingham zoo map

Birmingham zoo was opened May 1st 1964 it was owned by Dudley Zoological Society but the company was named Birmingham Zoological Society. It remained open for about 10 years before the financial positistion at Dudley forced the closure in 1974.
All the animals were either returned to Dudley or sent to vother collections.
Shortly after the Nature Centre was opened concentrating on UK wildlife and from this as grown a wonderful small collection that is in the Nature Centre today

End of your History lesson for today
thank you

Amazing to think that the Nature Centre is actually bigger than the zoo was. Surprising as well how many recognisable features there are - the main entrance is still there (though now in the middle of the NC), the fish pond opposite it, the gibbon enclosure has an aviary on exactly the same site, the cafe hasn't moved, and many of the pathways correspond.

My mom used to tell me about the zoo and also about Cuddles at Dudley and I always assumed she was trying to make me jealous... Now I'm glad I never saw what would be pitiful enclosures by todays standards. Shame they couldn't have enroached in to Cannon Hill and made a proper collection!