Tour of the Brand New African Forest Exhibit at Bristol Zoo Project

Added: 2026-05-18

[00:00:00]Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of Zoo Exhibit Tours.

[00:00:05]Today I will be touring one of the most highly anticipated Zoo Exhibits of recent times.

[00:00:10]The brand new African Forest Exhibit at [music] Bristol Zoo Project. This exhibit has been a part of the Zoo's long-term plan for years now [music] and it has finally been completed opening on the 1st of April in 2026.

[00:00:24]African Forest is home to various different African [music] species including Bristol Zoo's old Western Lowland Gorilla troop.

[00:00:32]This old site in Clifton closed its [music] doors in 2022 and to the gorillas continued to be kept there and cared for whilst their new and better enclosure at Bristol Zoo Project was being constructed. In February 2026 the gorillas were moved into the brand new enclosure.

[00:00:49]There is lots to cover in this video including a full tour of the exhibit and [music] its species along with an introduction to each member of the gorilla troop.

[00:00:57]So without any further ado let's begin [music] the tour.

[00:01:02]What I deem to be the best [music] and main entrance to the African Forest Exhibit can be found by walking past the Philippine spotted deer and lemur enclosures.

[00:01:15]Walking through this archway you are presented [music] with an impressive view of the new gorilla building.

[00:01:23]Here large glass windows give you a look into two [music] indoor day rooms for the Zoo's Western Lowland gorillas.

[00:01:30]You can also enter into the building where a small gift shop can be found and another viewing window which gives you a side angle view of the first [music] day room.

[00:01:39]This indoor space is very large with natural [music] substrate and lots of climbing opportunities for the gorillas.

[00:02:05]>> In the back, you can also get a glimpse of the off-show areas for the gorillas, >> [music] >> which they can always retreat to if they want.

[00:02:11]Off to the left and connected to this building is [music] the main attraction, the large outdoor western lowland gorilla enclosure.

[00:02:28]Filled with many natural trees that the gorillas often climb and forage through, this enclosure is about 2,800 m² in size [music] and can be viewed from across a moat.

[00:02:38]And amazingly, the gorillas have another similarly designed enclosure next door.

[00:02:47]Currently, however, they do not have access to this enclosure as they and [music] their soon-to-be housemates are currently being housed separately to allow them both to settle in. We will meet these future housemates in that other enclosure later on in the video.

[00:03:01]This gorilla enclosure is sloped upwards and you follow the path uphill with the island on your right.

[00:03:11]To your left is a look into the zoo's savanna enclosure.

[00:03:14]Here, you can find a mixed species enclosure featuring Grant's zebras, addax, [music] and reticulated giraffes.

[00:03:21]Despite this area being built many years before the African forest exhibit, it fits in well alongside the gorillas [music] as it shows two different habitats that can be found in Africa.

[00:03:31]Continuing past this large enclosure and with the gorilla [music] island still on your right, you come to another enclosure connected to a building.

[00:03:43]This outdoor aviary is home [music] to a group of African grey parrots.

[00:04:01]>> The parrots have this outdoor space along with an inside area, which can also be viewed right before entering [music] into the building itself.

[00:04:23]On the outside of the building are multiple clues for what [music] you can find inside.

[00:04:28]Once inside, you are met with one of the most impressive views of the African forest [music] exhibit. This is a mixed species enclosure featuring multiple species of cichlids and the impressive slender-snouted crocodile.

[00:04:44]The enclosure's underwater viewing area provides great views of both the fish and the crocodile.

[00:04:50]Let's just say that this little crocodile has a while before it reaches full size.

[00:05:24]This sign [music] shows you all of the incredibly rare cichlids.

[00:05:33]Heading out of the building, you continue on the main exhibit path with the Gorilla Island on your right.

[00:05:51]>> The path takes you to a covered gorilla viewing shelter, which also features multiple telescopes >> [music] >> that can be used to get an up-close view of the animals.

[00:06:00]These telescopes, along with many other interactive and [music] educational elements that can be found throughout the exhibit, are great additions.

[00:06:14]Within the area of the telescopes, this [music] is the highest point of the gorilla enclosure.

[00:06:22]Now, it is time [music] to see what is on the other side of this wall.

[00:06:27]Next door to the current gorilla enclosure is a similarly designed 1,700 m² enclosure, home to the endangered [music] cherry-crowned mangabey.

[00:06:37]The zoo is home to three, one male and two females.

[00:06:41]They are all still very shy and secretive, so count yourself very lucky if you can spot them.

[00:07:05]Like this video [music] shows, the monkeys are almost little specs in their enclosure as they have a huge amount of space to roam. And soon, after careful introductions, they will [music] be mixed with the gorilla troop.

[00:07:16]And all animals will have access to both enclosure sides.

[00:07:20]However, now, the gorillas will remain on one side and the mangabeys on the other.

[00:07:25]The mangabey enclosure can be viewed from the front across a moat.

[00:07:32]Opposite this first view is some beautiful artwork depicting the theme of the African forest exhibit. And if you are lucky, you may just see a red climbing above it.

[00:07:45]If you follow the path around the mangabey enclosure's left side, you come up to a few glass windows which show the vast enclosure from multiple [music] angles.

[00:08:11]Opposite the windows is a lovely forest area [music] with play areas where you can sit and eat.

[00:08:20]Now I have showed you all of the enclosures and animals, it is time to break down the gorilla troop.

[00:08:25]Bristol Zoo Project's African Forest [music] is home to a troop of seven western lowland gorillas, five females and two [music] males.

[00:08:34]The three adult females are Kira, Kala, and Tuny.

[00:08:38]Half sisters Ayana and Afia are the troop's younger females.

[00:08:43]And half brothers Juni and Hasani [music] are both 5 years old and noticeably smaller and younger than the rest.

[00:08:52]Tuny is Juni and Ayana's mother.

[00:08:56]And Kala is Hasani's mother. However, Hasani was hand-reared [music] when Kala was unfortunately unable to care for him.

[00:09:04]Eventually, [music] Kira was used as a surrogate mother and both Kira and Kala now act as surrogate parents [music] to Hasani.

[00:09:11]Kira is Afia's mother. Afia is a very [music] special gorilla as she was born via a C-section and like Hasani, she [music] was hand-reared.

[00:09:21]This was due to Kira experiencing severe birth complications.

[00:09:27]I should also mention Jock, who up until recently was the silverback of the group.

[00:09:32]He passed away a few months ago at the great age of 42 [music] years old.

[00:09:37]He was the icon animal of the old Bristol Zoo and he will always be remembered as a key [music] part of this troop.

[00:09:47]There are now plans to get another silverback [music] for the troop to allow for more breeding. This is essential as western lowland gorillas are a critically endangered species.

[00:09:57]Now, for the next few [music] minutes, I'll leave you with some great gorilla footage.

[00:11:33]>> [music] [music] >> So, that is everything about the amazing, brand new African Forest at Bristol Zoo project. I highly recommend that you visit this new area of the zoo and take in everything that it has to offer.

[00:12:31]>> [music] >> I hope that you have enjoyed this episode of Zoo Exhibit Tours. Thank you for watching.