In April 2023, we released the exciting news that, as of 1st January 2025, Colchester Zoo will become a charitable trust known as Colchester Zoological Society!
For the last 60 years, we have been known as a privately owned Zoo with a charitable arm, since 2004, which has provided much needed funds to conservation projects around the world, including our own nature reserve in South Africa, UmPhafa.
Each and every visit made to Colchester Zoo has contributed to not only the continuous development of the Zoo, but to vital conservation projects worldwide. Whether you have made a purchase of admission tickets, adoptions, experiences, annual passes or by donating through our website, without your support, we wouldn’t be able to help protect wildlife and wild places…but we want to do more!
Introducing Colchester Zoological Society
Introducing Colchester Zoological Society
Why is it changing?
Colchester Zoo is currently privately owned. By changing to Colchester Zoological Society, a charitable trust, we are securing the future of the Zoo and creating a Zoo that can be enjoyed by future generations. This change will ensure that Colchester Zoo remains a key destination in Colchester and will continue to protect and preserve wildlife and wild places with conservation at its heart, as well as providing a first-class visitor experience.
What will change?
Although it seems a huge change, you won’t notice a vast difference during your day-to-day visits. The zoo itself will be the same as you know it today, albeit with continuous development as we work towards our future vision. The big change that is happening behind the scenes is the setup of the charitable trust itself, and this will come into effect from 1st January 2025. In the meantime, you will notice subtle changes as we introduce Colchester Zoological Society.
Will we have a new logo?
We are excited for the future and in readiness, our in-house design and marketing team have developed the current recognisable Colchester Zoo logo to incorporate the upcoming change to Colchester Zoological Society. The logo is not vastly different from the current Colchester Zoo branding and includes a new colour palette along with fun brand assets to help showcase what we do.
Action for the Wild
In April 2024, Action for the Wild transitioned into the charitable trust, Colchester Zoological Society, which will take over the running of the Zoo on 1st January 2025. Your support through visits and donations will continue to help support conservation projects worldwide during this time!
What will happen to UmPhafa?
A charitable trust has been prepared in the Republic of South Africa; the UmPhafa Conservation Trust. In October 2024, UmPhafa was officially declared a Protected Nature Reserve of South Africa. In addition, parts of the area are also classified as a Critical Biodiversity Area for KZN. Being a Protected Nature Reserve means we have long term legal security (99 years) for the reserve for conservation land use. The process started back in September 2021 and has taken 3 years with management plans, planning, and site visits to get to this stage.
Will I still be able to use my Zoo Pass from 1st January 2025?
Yes! We hope that you will join us throughout the exciting journey and enjoy the whole host of benefits included with your Zoo Pass such as entry to our special events, discounts in our catering outlets and Outpost Gift Shop, along with FREE entry to other major zoos.
Will the Zoo change once it becomes a charitable trust?
In 2023, we have shared a vision for the future of Colchester Zoo which includes the expansion of the site. A bigger site may not necessarily mean more animals, but will allow us to expand on our high standard of welfare and provide bigger habitats for a range of species. The visual drawing gives you a taste of what the future holds for Colchester Zoo.
Conservation
Since 2004, Colchester Zoo has donated over £4.7 million to a broad spectrum of conservation projects worldwide. Projects over the years have included a wide range of species from orangutans to vultures, hornbills to Komodo dragons and elephants to moths.
