Chester Zoo
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Where do we start? With our 21,000 animals and over 500 different species, in 125 acres of award-winning zoological gardens? With the 1.4 million people who come to visit every year? Or with the many conservation projects we’re involved with, at home and abroad? Founded in 1934 the North of England Zoological Society is the registered charity that operates Chester Zoo and receives no government funding. You can find out more about the structure of the society and the success stories by clicking on Zoo Review on the left hand side of this page. It has grown to become one of the largest and most beautiful zoos in the UK. The Zoo is a substantial employer for Chester with over 250 permanent staff, increasing to 400 in the Summer season. About half those species are on the threatened list. We’re one of the world’s leading centres for conservation, working in the UK and worldwide to help protect animals and plants from extinction. We’re devoted to caring for own animals too, and are always looking for ways to make their lives even better. Our Animal Health Centre, for example, is decked out with the best possible facilities for the veterinary team. About Chester Zoo Chester Zoo covers an area of over 100 acres within a total land holding of over 400 acres. The Zoo was founded in the early 1930s by George Mottershead, this followed an earlier venture in partnership with Dr. English of developing a small zoo at Shavington, Cheshire, where the Mottershead family market garden business was based. The Zoo is internationally known for its innovative enclosure designs, which in the early years were achieved in an austere economic climate, for its many breeding successes and its involvement in co-operative breeding programmes. In 2004 visitor attendance was approximately 1,087,000 (not including the under 3’s), the Zoo continues to play important roles in developing conservation outreach, research, education and marketing strategies Chester Zoo’s Aquarium is fairly unique in that it focuses on freshwater fishes, especially rare and threatened species from Mexico and India. Admission Prices: Adult £18 to £22 Child £14 to £18 Under 3 FREE Family £60 to £74 Opening Times: Open daily from 10am, except Christmas Day and Boxing day. Closing times vary with the seasons (between 4pm to 6pm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||