Colchester Zoo

Colchester Zoo stands on parkland just outside Colchester in Essex. The 160-acre site began life in 1963 as Stanway Hall Park Zoo before the Tropeano family took it over and built today’s collection. It now keeps rare and endangered animals from every continent, from big cats and primates to fish and invertebrates. The zoo is known for successful breeding programmes and for giving rescued animals new homes. Jo-Jo and Srey Ya the sun bears came from Cambodian anti-poaching patrols via the Rare Species Conservation Centre. Humboldt penguins and Komodo dragons have also bred here under European conservation schemes. Themed zones let visitors move between habitats without long detours. A day is needed to see the themed zones. Australian Rainbows lets guests walk among rainbow lorikeets and feed them nectar. Kingdom of the Wild shows giraffes, rhinos and zebras on a savannah with an indoor hippo house. Gelada Plateau’s rocky terraces and flamingo lake can be viewed from several angles, while Koi Niwa’s Japanese garden pools reflect the exhibits around it.