Fast forward from when Colchester Zoo first opened its doors on 2nd June 1963, the site has since developed into 60 acres of beautiful parkland and lakes, and is now home to over 150 different species, including critically endangered Amur leopards and Bornean orangutans.
In 1963, Colchester Zoo was first established by Zoologists Frank and Helena Farrar in the grounds of Stanway Hall Estate.
The site was around 25 acres in size and contained a small collection of animals ranging from lions to kangaroos. The purchase of the Stanway Hall Estate was the realisation of a lifetime’s ambition for the owners.
In 1983, Colchester Zoo changed hands and was taken over by the Tropeano family.
Fast forward from when Colchester Zoo first opened its doors on 2nd June 1963, the site has since developed into 60 acres of beautiful parkland and lakes, and is now home to over 150 different species, including critically endangered Amur leopards and Bornean orangutans.
The start of something wonderful…
The start of something wonderful…
Conservation in Action
UMPHAFA NATURE RESERVE
2005 – Present
In 2005, Colchester Zoo and the Zoo’s charitable arm, Action for the Wild, purchased land in South African to form the UmPhafa Private Nature Reserve.
The 6,000 hectare reserve encompasses a wide range of habitats, from acacia savannah and bushveld to mountainous terrain. Due to previous agricultural practices, many of the natural inhabiting species were lost.
In October 2024, we received the exciting news that UmPhafa was officially declared a Nature Reserve by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs and the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act 2023.
ACTION FOR THE WILD
2004 – 2025
Since 2004, when Action for the Wild achieved charitable status, over £4.7 million has been donated to a broad spectrum of conservation projects worldwide, and encompasses a wide range of species from lemurs to red pandas, otters to sun bears and elephants to moths.
Action for the Wild provided both financial and technical assistance, and aimed to raise awareness among local people in community conservation programmes, as well as supporting conservation research.
In April 2024, Action for the Wild changed it’s name to Colchester Zoological Society where it then took over the running of Colchester Zoo from 1st February 2025.
COLCHESTER ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY
2025
Colchester Zoo was privately owned but in February 2025 it transitioned into a charity known as Colchester Zoological Society. This change ensures that Colchester Zoo remains a key destination in Colchester and continues to protect and preserve wildlife and wild places with conservation at our heart, as well as providing a first-class visitor experience for future generations to come.
Highs and Lows
FOOT AND MOUTH
2001
In 2001, the UK faced a Foot and Mouth epidemic which resulted in 2,000 cases among cows, sheep and pigs resulting over 6 million animals being culled. Less than a week after the arrival of the Zoo’s first giraffes since the 1970s, the first confirmed case was just 30 miles from the Zoo.
To protect the animals, the Zoo chose to close to the public which many other zoos were also doing. The original plan was to close for a few days; ultimately this was not the case. Over the coming weeks, cases of foot and mouth were growing and getting ever closer to the Zoo. When a case was confirmed at a farm just two miles away, the Zoo was ordered to close by the government.
There was even uncertainty about which exotic animals could get the disease; no one knew for sure if elephants could catch the virus for example. The people of Colchester showed their support and many fundraising efforts took place to give money to the Zoo. It was a boost to staff morale to see the public rally round and offer their support. By April, the cases were starting to drop and on the 7th of April the Zoo reopened with foot dips for visitors and the farm area closed. By the end of April the Zoo was fully open again.
50TH BIRTHDAY
2013
The Stand Tall for Giraffes campaign celebrated the 50th Birthday of Colchester Zoo with a public art trail of 112 Giraffe sculptures.
The sculptures were 2.5 metres in size and designed by 77 different schools and professional artists, who each put their own unique creativity on to the individual statues.
In 2013, the Zoo also celebrated ‘Year of the Bear’ with the opening of brand-new habitat, ‘Bears of the Rising Sun’ for two rescued Malayan Sun Bears, Srey Ya and Jo-Jo.
COVID-19
2020 – 2021
On 23rd March 2020, the nation was hit by the impact of the virus COVID-19, as the UK went into a devastating lockdown.
Unlike many other businesses who were able to put their businesses on pause and furlough staff, life at the Zoo had to continue and the fight for survival began, with funds earmarked for new developments poured into the daily running of the Zoo. Unfortunately, we were unable to access the Government’s Zoo Animals Fund, and we did not qualify for any of the Government grants. Thankfully our kind and loyal supporters stepped in,
with donations to our Emergency Operating Fund.
With over 10,000 animals and 60 acres of land to care for, it became a battle for survival and one that lingers to this day. Throughout the pandemic, a skeleton structure of dedicated staff attended to the animals daily, ensuring that their welfare was uncompromised.
COLCHESTER ZOO TURNS 60
2023
In 2023, we celebrated our 60th birthday with a range of events, community projects and limited-edition merchandise.
Community projects included a branded First Bus, Poem Competition, School Rocks Campaign and a Memory Wall, where visitors could share stories of their zoo visits.
Branded merchandise included a limited-edition Souvenir Guide, Commemorative Hamper, Pin Badge and Zoo Pass.
We also released our first ever Christmas Advert, working with local production company Deadline Communications. The advert aired across the Zoo’s social media channels in November 2023.
ZOO OF THE FUTURE
2023
In April 2023, we shared plans for the Zoo’s future, including the news that Colchester Zoo was to become a charity under the new name, Colchester Zoological Society.
A map was released that detailed a proposed expansion plan for the future of the Zoo and would see many habitats increase in size as well as the addition of some new species.
DINOSAUR REALM
2024
In 2024, Dinosaur Realm opened! This new area allows visitors to embark on a journey as they come face to face with a herd of static and animatronic dinosaurs, including a Brachiosaurus that stands just under 5 metres tall.
Smoke and sounds are present along the route with a Palaeontology Hub that includes interactive zones to engage and educate on the creatures that once lived.
Preserving History
STANWAY HALL
Before Colchester Zoo existed, Stanway Hall stood, a small estate just outside Colchester. The current Hall still stands and was built in 1880 on the site of the former hall which was built in 1731, however a manor or hall has stood on this site since 1002. Though the 1731 hall no longer stands, several original features from the 1731 hall still exist, such as fireplaces and wood panelling within the current building. Stanway Hall is still used today, not as a family home but as offices for the Zoo.
ALL SAINTS CHURCH
Along with Stanway Hall, stands All Saints Church. Built in the 13th century and enlarged in the 15th century it was then downsized in the 17th century to a private chapel.
All Saints Church now lies as a listed ruin following its disuse from the 1800s. However, even as a ruined church, All Saints was used to house animals in the early days of the Zoo, being a home for rheas (Rhea pennata). Today the church now forms part of the grounds by the outside viewing area of the orangutans and the interior is no longer accessible to visitors outside of special events.
