Bristol Zoo (Closed) Treasures unveiled from Bristol Zoo’s archives

Peter Dickinson · 20 Jan 2011

Zoo News Digest: Treasures unveiled from Bristol Zoo’s archives

Chlidonias · 6 Jul 2011

this will interest every zoochatter in the UK I should imagine. The programme is on at 7pm Monday 11 July, BBC One (West only)
BBC - BBC One Programmes - The Animal Magic Zoo

Terry Nutkins celebrates the 175th anniversary of Bristol Zoo. In this whistle-stop tour through the zoo's fascinating history, Terry reflects on his time presenting the BBC TV series 'Animal Magic' with Johnny Morris. The programme gave voices to the animals, turning Dotty the ringtailed lemur into a household name.

Over the years, the zoo has been home to some notable residents including Alfred the gorilla who became a wartime symbol of resistance, and Rosie the elephant who used to give rides to children.

Contributors to the programme include the Hollywood actor John Cleese who went to school nearby and Creature Comforts creator Nick Park who drew inspiration from the polar bears.

The programme examines how the role of the zoo has evolved over the decades to reflect changing public attitudes. From an initial focus on amusement and entertainment, the modern zoo places more importance on education and conservation.
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The Animal Magic Zoo reveals the stories inside the world’s fifth oldest zoo.

As Bristol Zoological Gardens reaches its 175th birthday, this documentary chronicles the history of The Animal Magic Zoo.

Due to be shown on the exact anniversary of Bristol Zoo’s opening back in 1836, The Animal Magic Zoo will include recently uncovered archive footage, as well as photographs and records dating back to the 19th Century which have been unseen by the public for decades.

The documentary is presented by Terry Nutkins, who first visited the zoo with BBC broadcaster Johnny Morris during the making of the hit TV show Animal Magic.

The programme examines how the role of the zoo has evolved through the decades.

As well as contributions from zoo historian Tim Brown, the documentary reveals funny anecdotes and moving memories of those that worked and visited the zoo though the generations.

Interviews include actor John Cleese and the creator of Aardman’s animated film Creature Comforts, Nick Park.

Terry Nutkins examines both triumphs and tragedies in the zoo’s long history.

His journey begins with the pioneers that created Bristol’s zoological society and takes him through the Victorian and Edwardian eras, two world wars and the Animal Magic years, when the antics of the animals were broadcast into the nation’s living rooms.

The Animal Magic Zoo also explores the zoo’s role in wildlife conservation, helping to protect endangered species from extinction.

In the early days the ethos of the zoo was to provide a zoological society for people to learn about the animal kingdom.

Records show that the original investors included Bristol’s famous engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel and chocolate manufacturer, Joseph Fry.

Perhaps the most exotic early addition to the zoo was Zebi the Asian elephant who was presented to the zoo by the Maharajah of Mysore in 1868. By the turn of the 20th century however the zoo was in financial difficulty and had to rely on income from added attractions such as rowing, ice skating, fetes and shows.

In the 1920s, committee member, Dr Richard Clarke declared that the zoo should return to its founding roots and focus on being a zoo.

A large scale building project ensued and in 1927 an aquarium was opened, followed by a towering monkey temple.

In an interview, former head zoo keeper Don Packham recalls the time when a prankster put a ladder inside the Monkey Temple walls, allowing many of the monkeys to escape into the Clifton area of Bristol.

During the war years, the zoo remained unscathed from the bombs that dropped on Bristol. Alfred, the zoo’s gorilla, became a world famous mascot and a symbol of national resistance.

Rosie the elephant, who gave rides to children, was also hugely popular.

But with some fresh food in short supply the zoo struggled to find adequate nutrition to feed the animals – fish especially was limited during the war years.

Zoo historian, Tim Brown says: "In desperation the zoo tried horse meat dipped in cod liver oil which unfortunately had the effect of killing the seals, sea lions and penguins in fairly rapid time."

As the war brought social change to British society the zoo became a more affordable pursuit for the working classes.

Zoo historian Tim Brown says: "What initially was very expensive progressively over the decades became less expensive. So, ultimately, we see almost the emancipation of the working classes through Bristol Zoo."

After the war pioneering breeding methods heralded a baby boom at the zoo.

New arrivals included Sebastian the polar bear and Roger the African black rhinoceros. The birth of an okapi was captured on camera for the whole country to see.

In the 1960s, TV programmes like News from the Zoos and the children's cult classic Animal Magic made stars of the Bristol Zoo animals. Animal Magic was presented by Johnny Morris, the zoo keeper who became famous for talking with the animals.

The creator of the Aardman film Creature Comforts, Nick Park says: "The way Johnny Morris did those funny voices for the animals; I guess that was the start of it really. I was probably unconsciously very inspired by that. It really put Bristol Zoo on the Map. I didn’t know where Bristol was but I always wanted to go there - I always thought it must be a really special zoo."

Boosted by its appearances on television and the opening of the Severn Bridge, Bristol Zoo became more popular than ever.

But the changing times also triggered public debate and criticism about the cramped conditions in which some of the animals were kept.

When Geoffrey Greed took over from his father Reginald Greed as the zoo’s director in 1974, building projects were undertaken to phase out the old Victorian enclosures.

They were replaced with more spacious, natural environments. Bristol Zoo stopped keeping many larger animals and focused instead on conservation, education and the protection of endangered species for future generations.

Rosie the elephant, who gave rides to children, was also popular with visitors.

Margaret Woodland recalls: "She was so beautiful, an absolutely lovely animal and to climb up in the seat, rolling along, I mean, even now, at my age, I still remember it.

"We didn’t go away on holidays so a visit to the zoo was something absolutely special.

"There was a big build up for it. You thought 'only another week to go and we’ll be going to the zoo'."
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Maguari · 6 Jul 2011

TV fame at last for ol' Brownie, eh?

Sounds a good show - and those who were at the recent IZES meeting at Bristol know what a mine of information and anecdotes Don Packham is. Would imagine it will be on BBC iPlayer for those of us not in the West Country.

Shirokuma · 6 Jul 2011

It has been announced on Bristol Zoo's twitter that the programme will also be shown nationally on BBC2 at 7pm on July 21st.

Maguari · 6 Jul 2011

Shirokuma said: ↑

It has been announced on Bristol Zoo's twitter that the programme will also be shown nationally on BBC2 at 7pm on July 21st.
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Thanks for the tip-off - looking forward to it!

Bubbles · 9 Jul 2011

Re: FPZ not acknowledging it's 50 years because Mr Gibb took it over in 1976... it's nice to see Bristol Zoo celebrate it's history. I bet it's had a few owners as well.

Maguari · 9 Jul 2011

Bubbles said: ↑

I bet it's had a few owners as well.
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Actually no, the Bristol and Clifton Zoological Society was brought into being to set the zoo up and still owns it to this day.

sooty mangabey · 13 Jul 2011

The TV show mentioned above is now available on the BBC's iplayer: BBC iPlayer - The Animal Magic Zoo.

TARZAN · 13 Jul 2011

sooty mangabey said: ↑

The TV show mentioned above is now available on the BBC's iplayer: BBC iPlayer - The Animal Magic Zoo.
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You have just beat me to it with this information, a very good programme it is too. The highlight for me being the man himself being given the baby gorilla to hold by its mother Delila, as good watching this today as it was when first broadcast many years ago. Good points raised in the programme, how the zoo has evolved during its 175 years, and not hiding the fact that the big cats were housed in conditions years ago that would not be considered appropriate today, also seeing Wendy and Christina the elephants marvellous

Maguari · 22 Jul 2011

Any UKers sat at home - this is about to begin on BBC2 as I type!

Maguari · 21 Jul 2011

And it's back on iPlayer: BBC iPlayer - The Animal Magic Zoo

Really is a superb programme - well done to all involved.

Shirokuma · 21 Jul 2011

I watched the programme and enjoyed it although they had a female voice-over for a male okapi...

hadrada · 21 Jul 2011

Good Programme,Bristol was one of the first zoos i visited as a kid and i remember seeing that Polar bear rocking back & forth in that awful pit and thinking that isnt right,didnt at that time realise that it was an ex circus animal.

Its a neat little zoo Bristol,i would urge anyone who hasnt been there to visit,they certainly have come on leaps and bounds from those "dark days".

Shirokuma · 21 Jul 2011

I agree, it is a lovely zoo and I also recommend it as a place to take non-zoo people. I went with my sister and spent all day there, she enjoyed it very much.

Bele · 22 Jul 2011

Really enjoyed the programme last night . Brought back many happy memories of 50+ years of regular visits . Very interesting to see gorilla Delilah handing baby Daniel over to Jonny Morris .

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Bristol Zoo (Closed) Treasures unveiled from Bristol Zoo’s archives

Peter Dickinson Well-Known Member

Chlidonias Moderator Staff Member 15+ year member

Maguari Never could get the hang of Thursdays. 15+ year member Premium Member

Shirokuma Well-Known Member

Maguari Never could get the hang of Thursdays. 15+ year member Premium Member

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Maguari Never could get the hang of Thursdays. 15+ year member Premium Member

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TARZAN Well-Known Member

Maguari Never could get the hang of Thursdays. 15+ year member Premium Member

Maguari Never could get the hang of Thursdays. 15+ year member Premium Member

Shirokuma Well-Known Member

hadrada Well-Known Member

Shirokuma Well-Known Member

Bele Well-Known Member 15+ year member

Log in or Sign up

Bristol Zoo (Closed) Treasures unveiled from Bristol Zoo’s archives

Peter Dickinson Well-Known Member

Chlidonias Moderator Staff Member 15+ year member

Maguari Never could get the hang of Thursdays. 15+ year member Premium Member

Shirokuma Well-Known Member

Maguari Never could get the hang of Thursdays. 15+ year member Premium Member

Bubbles Well-Known Member

Maguari Never could get the hang of Thursdays. 15+ year member Premium Member

sooty mangabey Well-Known Member

TARZAN Well-Known Member

Maguari Never could get the hang of Thursdays. 15+ year member Premium Member

Maguari Never could get the hang of Thursdays. 15+ year member Premium Member

Shirokuma Well-Known Member

hadrada Well-Known Member

Shirokuma Well-Known Member

Bele Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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