What's Happening

20th Aug

Stretched Out Summer Days

Join us until 7:30pm for our extended...

23rd Jul

Summer Holidays at Colchester Zoo!

Your journey awaits this summer… Transform into...

8th Sep

African Photography Safari

African Photography Safari This new photography experience...

9th Sep

Big Cat Photography Workshop

Big Cat Photography Workshop The Big Cat...

10th Sep

Starlight Safari Night

Join us for a late summer evening...

17th Sep

Dino Discovery Day

Enjoy a prehistoric family day out Take...

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Explore this Summer

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Explore this Summer

Animal Experiences

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Animal Experiences

Your FAQs

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Your FAQs

Zoo Pass

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Zoo Pass

Beautiful, Unusual & Rare Species Of The Animal Kingdom

Colchester Zoo is home to 180 species set in 60 acres of parkland and lakes!

As you navigate your way around Colchester Zoo you’ll visit many different habitats and see animals from around the world, from the humid habitat of our Komodo dragons to our very own Africa plain, home to White rhino, giraffes, ostrich, zebra and kudu!

The Latest Zoo News

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First Essex and Colchester Zoo launch new Animal Bus

First Essex and Colchester Zoo launch new Animal Bus

August 5, 2022

On 30th July, visitors enjoyed an extra dose of...

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News

International Tiger Day

International Tiger Day

July 29, 2022

International Tiger Day (29 July) is an annual celebration...

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Conservation

Colchester Zoo welcomes on board new sponsorship partner MHA!

Colchester Zoo welcomes on board new sponsorship partner MHA!

July 29, 2022

Colchester Zoo is delighted to welcome MHA on board...

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Corporate Sponsors

A Cracking New Arrival

A Cracking New Arrival

July 28, 2022

Over the last three years, our King vulture (Sarcoramphus...

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New Arrivals

#colchesterzoo

Follow us on Instagram and make sure you add our hastag to your zoo pictures!

Join us every Monday and Wednesday throughout the

Join us every Monday and Wednesday throughout the summer school holidays for Magic and Mayhem ✨ with Chris Mayne, featuring big bubble fun, magic madness and juggling!

Have you ‘spotted’ our Hyenas? The viewing are

Have you ‘spotted’ our Hyenas? The viewing area at our Spotted Hyena enclosure has been upgraded to provide better visibility for our visitors. Pop along on your next visit and see if you can catch a glimpse of our trio enjoying the warmer weather.

📸 @j_dennington

Don’t melt in the heat! Stop by our catering out

Don’t melt in the heat! Stop by our catering outlet Scoop and Go, located opposite the lake, for a delicious ice cream or refreshing beverage! 🍦 PLUS, Zoo Passholders can also receive 10% off food and drink! Ts & Cs apply.

Find out more 👉 http://ow.ly/sC6a50KcmGq

Banish the boredom for the rest of the school summ

Banish the boredom for the rest of the school summer holidays with our ZOOPER Zoo Pass offer. Save 10% OFF our annual passes! Not only will you have unlimited entry throughout the year, but also receive a whole host of other benefits, including discounts in our catering outlets and gift shop. Purchase a pass today using the link in our bio.

Colchester Zoo have been kindly supported by @stow

Colchester Zoo have been kindly supported by @stowefamilylawuk for another year! Stowe Family Law is a team of compassionate family solicitors based in Chelmsford, serving clients in Chelmsford, Colchester, Southend-on-Sea and the surrounding areas. 💙 Stowe Family Law first began their support in July 2021 with a Digital Corporate Sponsorship!

A cracking new arrival… On 18th June, our Animal

A cracking new arrival… On 18th June, our Animal Care Team watched in awe as our King Vultures, Martin and Midas fertile egg started to hatch! 🥚 🐣 The young chick is now being cared for by mum, Midas, and is continuing to gain a healthy weight.

💛 Read the full story about the hatching journey of this incredible chick by using the link in our bio.

#vulture #kingvulture #chick #egg #hatching #shell #journey #offspring #colchesterzoo #Colchester #Essex

If you’re planning a visit to us over the summer

If you’re planning a visit to us over the summer, then you may notice that our huddle of Humboldt Penguins look a bit different to normal. 🐧

Each year Humboldt Penguins all go through what’s known as a ‘catastrophic moult’. This is the process of them losing their old feathers and growing new ones. Although they may look rather untidy, this natural process is vital to maintaining their waterproof coats!

Happy birthday to our male chimpanzee, Tombe who t

Happy birthday to our male chimpanzee, Tombe who turns 26 today! Tombe is our dominant male and a good leader of the group. He does have a softer side and can be seen enjoying playtime with our other male chimpanzee, Tumba!

It’s International Golden Lion Tamarin Day! Gol

It’s International Golden Lion Tamarin Day!

Golden Lion Tamarins are currently classed as ‘Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. You can help towards the conservation of this species by donating to our charity, Action for the Wild. Find out more using the link in our bio!

Today we are celebrating Mangabey Awareness Day!✨

Colchester Zoo is home to the endangered Cherry-Crowned Mangabey. We have 2 males, Kanye and Makokou, and 2 females, Suna and Maja. They are native to west Africa living in mangrove and swamp forests.

👇Did you know?
🔴Cherry-Crowned Mangabeys are the largest of all Mangabey species, with males weighing around 12kg and females weighing 8kg
🔴These Mangabeys are also known as Red-Capped or White-Collared Mangabeys due to the red fur on the tops of their heads and their bright white collars
🔴Their tails are longer than their bodies to help them move through the tree canopy

Make sure to visit Mangabey Mangrove on your next visit!

#mangabey #primate #zoo

When you’re not quite ready for Monday to start…

📸 @jamie_reeve_photography

World Ranger Day (31 July)! We would like to say a

World Ranger Day (31 July)! We would like to say a special thank you to the Field Rangers at @umphafa for their dedication and perseverance on the reserve, patrolling up to 15-20kms a day or night come rain or shine! This special day is to raise awareness of the hard work that all rangers do and the risks they take protecting the planet's national treasures and cultural heritage.

Our prehistoric friends return on 17th September f

Our prehistoric friends return on 17th September for our last Dino Discovery Day of the year! 🦖

Why not upgrade your ticket to an annual Zoo Pass for your chance to enjoy our fun-filled calendar of events in the upcoming year when we celebrate our 60th anniversary! PLUS, throughout the summer holidays we are offering 10% OFF all of our Zoo Passes! Ts & cs apply. Find out more using the link in our bio.

In celebration of International Tiger Day (29 July

In celebration of International Tiger Day (29 July), we are delighted to announce that @mhamacintyrehudson are proud partners of Tiger Taiga, home to our Amur tigers, and the Lost Madagascar Express Train Station. 🐅🚆

Today is International Tiger Day! 🐯 This specia

Today is International Tiger Day! 🐯 This special day is an annual celebration to help raise awareness for this roar-some species and the conservation efforts being made for the dwindling numbers left in the wild.

🟠 We are home to three female Amur tigers, Anoushka, Taiga and Tatana.
⚫ Similar to a human’s unique fingerprints, no two tigers have the same striped fur pattern!
🔴 Amur Tigers are currently classed as ‘Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened species.

🐅 Learn more about these beautiful big cats and how you can support them at Colchester Zoo and out in the wild using the link in our bio.

Did you guess what species was hiding amongst the

Did you guess what species was hiding amongst the leaves? It was our Great Grey Owl! 🦉 Did you know... Great Grey Owls have the largest facial disk of any bird of prey!

ANIMAL QUIZ // Can you guess the species hiding am

ANIMAL QUIZ // Can you guess the species hiding amongst the leaves?

HINT: This species of bird has a wingspan of over 150cm!

This Saturday (30 July) is the first of our two St

This Saturday (30 July) is the first of our two Stretched-out Summer Days where we will be remaining open until 7:30pm along with additional encounter feeds taking place into the evening at no extra cost! Find out more and book tickets using the link in our bio.

We are delighted to announce that we have received

We are delighted to announce that we have received a Gold Award in the Field Conservation Category of BIAZA Awards. This prestigious award recognises our conservation efforts bonding endangered African Wild Dogs on our UmPhafa Private Nature Reserve in South Africa to aid their population. Thank you to @officialbiaza for the award and @the_ewt!

Find out more about the award using the link in our bio.

On 20th July, our oldest Amur Tiger, Anoushka, cel

On 20th July, our oldest Amur Tiger, Anoushka, celebrated her 18th birthday! 🐯 Anoushka enjoyed a stack of presents which contained a tasty treat of meat!

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