Spring brought a new chapter for the zoo – Heart of Africa
We welcomed 2025 with a fun-packed programme as we organised activities and a trail for you to enjoy based on popular, hilarious children’s book Poo in the Zoo by Steve Smallman and Ada Grey. We were also lucky enough to host the Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, showcasing the incredible work of world-leading photographers from across the world.
In April, giant eggs cropped up across the zoo as we challenged you to put your animal knowledge to the test and identify the animals from the patterns on the eggs. This also coincided with one of the biggest awaited events of the year – the opening of Heart of Africa, a whole new experience for you to discover.
Across 22 acres and with 52 species, we saw the welcome return of some of your favourite animals, plus plenty of new species too!
Spring brought a new chapter for the zoo – Heart of Africa
We welcomed 2025 with a fun-packed programme as we organised activities and a trail for you to enjoy based on popular, hilarious children’s book Poo in the Zoo by Steve Smallman and Ada Grey. We were also lucky enough to host the Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, showcasing the incredible work of world-leading photographers from across the world.
In April, giant eggs cropped up across the zoo as we challenged you to put your animal knowledge to the test and identify the animals from the patterns on the eggs. This also coincided with one of the biggest awaited events of the year – the opening of Heart of Africa, a whole new experience for you to discover.
Across 22 acres and with 52 species, we saw the welcome return of some of your favourite animals, plus plenty of new species too!
A summer to remember
We had an incredible summer, with over 170,000 visits from you, our members.
This summer was packed with new beginnings from the launch of The Celebration Tree, marking a new way to donate and be part of the zoo’s legacy, to the launch of the Zookeeper in Training podcast, based here at the zoo, hosted by popular comedian and content creator Abi Clarke.
Possibly the most highly anticipated this summer, and one of our biggest achievements this year was the opening of our new luxury lodges at The Reserve. The lodges offer a cozy luxurious stay at the zoo and every stay supports our conservation work in Africa.
Possibly the most highly anticipated this summer, and one of our biggest achievements this year was the opening of our new luxury lodges at The Reserve. The lodges offer a cozy luxurious stay at the zoo and every stay supports our conservation work in Africa.
Our education team took wildlife education beyond the zoo grounds with a lesson hosted by Lizzie Daly, streamed live across the internet from the zoo itself. We marked the launch of Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter’s hilarious picture book The Dinosaur that Pooped a Zoo, with an in-zoo trail and a giant book at the main entrance.
Memories with an Afterglow twinkle thanks to our sponsor Sudocrem®
As the hours drew longer and the warmth of summer set in, we invited you to join us for more hours and more adventures, at our magical summer evening event ‘Afterglow’, supported by our incredible sponsor Sudocrem®.
We were proud to partner with Sudocrem® to celebrate a shared passion for fun and discovery, and to shine a light on the importance of conservation. Thanks to this partnership, we were able to celebrate across five different zones this summer. You enjoyed fairground rides and tasted a brand-new menu featuring delicious delights, from frozen cocktails, nachos, and tasty sundaes. There were roaming puppets, stilt walkers, and fantastic pop-up performances. You stepped among the Land of the Dinosaurs, and got involved with loads of games, including classics like hook-a-duck, with lots of prizes won.
Autumn achievements
As September rolled in, we hosted our much-loved free festival of UK wildlife, but now under the new name of NatureFest. Here, families gathered to celebrate and learn with live music, hands-on workshops, and wildlife-inspired games. We celebrated aquatic conservation success stories as our historic aquarium building closed. We held our biggest Run for Nature yet, which raised £200,000 – a huge achievement.
In early October, we shared our ground-breaking news of an incredible scientific breakthrough offering a new hope for young Asian elephants across the world. Our team at Chester Zoo, together with the University of Surrey and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) developed a vaccine targeting elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV), one of the most serious threats facing young Asian elephants.
October half term saw the return of our giant pumpkin sculptures alongside mythical storytelling, bat pumpkins, a spooky treat shop, pumpkin painting, and marshmallow toasting. Plus, our first ever trail and secret menu exclusively for members.
Autumn achievements
As September rolled in, we hosted our much-loved free festival of UK wildlife, but now under the new name of NatureFest. Here, families gathered to celebrate and learn with live music, hands-on workshops, and wildlife-inspired games. We celebrated aquatic conservation success stories as our historic aquarium building closed. We held our biggest Run for Nature yet, which raised £200,000 – a huge achievement.
In early October, we shared our ground-breaking news of an incredible scientific breakthrough offering a new hope for young Asian elephants across the world. Our team at Chester Zoo, together with the University of Surrey and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) developed a vaccine targeting elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV), one of the most serious threats facing young Asian elephants.
October half term saw the return of our giant pumpkin sculptures alongside mythical storytelling, bat pumpkins, a spooky treat shop, pumpkin painting, and marshmallow toasting. Plus, our first ever trail and secret menu exclusively for members.
Winter wonders
Most recently, we hope you have joined us for our annual Lanterns & Light event, creating treasured memories with your loved ones. The winter magic continues until Saturday 3 January – so there’s still time to book if you haven’t already – and don’t forget, as a member you get 10% off! Call us or visit us to book with your discount.
This year we’ve also welcomed so many new arrivals, including: the UK’s only fossa pups, a whole pack of bush dog pups, rare Socorro dove chicks, golden lion tamarins – the first of their kind to be cared for here at the zoo, little flamingo chicks, an Okapi calf, lots of penguin chicks, blue-eyed ground dove chicks, a baby sifaka lemur, and of course, snow leopard cub – Bheri, and so many more.
Winter wonders
Most recently, we hope you have joined us for our annual Lanterns & Light event, creating treasured memories with your loved ones. The winter magic continues until Saturday 3 January – so there’s still time to book if you haven’t already – and don’t forget, as a member you get 10% off! Call us or visit us to book with your discount.
This year we’ve also welcomed so many new arrivals, including: the UK’s only fossa pups, a whole pack of bush dog pups, rare Socorro dove chicks, golden lion tamarins – the first of their kind to be cared for here at the zoo, little flamingo chicks, an Okapi calf, lots of penguin chicks, blue-eyed ground dove chicks, a baby sifaka lemur, and of course, snow leopard cub – Bheri, and so many more.
As a conservation charity, we wouldn’t be able to care for so many incredible species and continue our mission to help species survive and thrive without the support of our partners, donors, volunteers and of course, you and your support as a member – so we just wanted to say a huge
thank you!
As a conservation charity, we wouldn’t be able to care for so many incredible species and continue our mission to help species survive and thrive without the support of our partners, donors, volunteers and of course, you and your support as a member – so we just wanted to say a huge
thank you!
