About Twycross Zoo: Six Decades of Conservation Excellence

Our History and Foundation

Twycross Zoo was founded in 1963 by Molly Badham and Nathalie Evans, two pioneering women who shared a passionate commitment to primate conservation and welfare. What began as a small collection of pet monkeys evolved into one of Europe's most significant primate conservation centers. Badham and Evans purchased the site in Leicestershire specifically to create a sanctuary where great apes and other primates could live in spacious, naturalistic environments - a revolutionary concept in the 1960s when many zoos still housed animals in barren concrete enclosures.

The zoo's early years focused almost exclusively on primates, with Badham becoming internationally recognized for her expertise in great ape husbandry and breeding. Her work contributed significantly to understanding captive primate care, nutrition, and social dynamics. By the 1970s, Twycross had established itself as a leader in gorilla breeding, with multiple successful births that helped establish sustainable captive populations. This expertise attracted partnerships with conservation organizations and other zoos worldwide.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the zoo expanded both its animal collection and physical infrastructure. New exhibits for elephants, big cats, and other species diversified the visitor experience while maintaining the core focus on primate conservation. The facility transitioned from private ownership to charitable trust status, ensuring long-term stability and mission focus. Major capital investments modernized habitats to meet evolving welfare standards and incorporate naturalistic design principles based on behavioral research.

Today, Twycross Zoo operates as a registered charity under the name East Midland Zoological Society, with governance provided by a board of trustees. The zoo has welcomed over 20 million visitors since opening and maintains its position as one of the UK's premier wildlife attractions. The founder's vision of combining conservation, education, and research continues to guide all operations, ensuring that entertainment value never compromises animal welfare or conservation objectives.

Conservation and Research Programs

Twycross Zoo participates in over 40 European Endangered Species Programmes (EEPs), coordinated breeding initiatives that maintain genetically diverse populations of threatened species across European zoos. These programs use sophisticated pedigree databases and population management software to recommend breeding pairs, transfers between institutions, and contraception decisions. The zoo's primate expertise makes it a particularly valuable participant in EEPs for gorillas, orangutans, bonobos, and numerous monkey species.

The zoo's conservation work extends beyond its gates through partnerships with field conservation projects in Africa, Asia, and South America. Financial support and expertise flow to organizations protecting wild primate populations and their habitats. For example, the zoo supports gorilla conservation in central Africa where wild populations face threats from habitat loss, disease, and poaching. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), western lowland gorillas have declined by more than 60% over the past 25 years, making captive populations increasingly important as insurance against extinction.

Research conducted at Twycross contributes to scientific understanding of animal behavior, cognition, welfare, and husbandry. The zoo collaborates with universities including Oxford, Cambridge, and local institutions like Nottingham Trent University on studies examining primate intelligence, social learning, and enrichment effectiveness. Published research from Twycross has appeared in peer-reviewed journals, advancing knowledge that benefits both captive and wild animal populations. Non-invasive research methods ensure that studies never compromise animal welfare.

Education forms a cornerstone of the conservation mission, with dedicated staff delivering programs to over 50,000 students annually. Curriculum-aligned workshops cover topics from animal adaptation and classification to conservation biology and environmental sustainability. The zoo's education center provides classroom space and resources for school groups, while distance learning programs reach schools unable to visit in person. Public engagement through daily talks, feeding demonstrations, and interpretive signage ensures all visitors leave with greater understanding of wildlife conservation challenges and solutions.

Supporting Global Wildlife Protection

Visitors to Twycross Zoo directly support conservation through admission fees, memberships, donations, and purchases. As a registered charity, all surplus revenue funds animal care improvements, habitat development, and conservation programs. The zoo maintains transparency about fund allocation, with annual reports detailing financial performance and conservation expenditures. This model ensures that family days out contribute meaningfully to protecting endangered species and their habitats worldwide.

Visit Us and Support Conservation

Twycross Zoo welcomes visitors year-round, offering an experience that combines entertainment with education and conservation impact. The 80-acre site provides a full day of exploration, with carefully designed pathways connecting diverse habitats. Visitors can observe animals exhibiting natural behaviors in spacious enclosures that prioritize welfare over viewing convenience. This approach sometimes means animals choose to remain out of sight, teaching an important lesson about respecting wildlife autonomy.

The zoo continuously invests in improvements, with recent projects including upgraded primate facilities, enhanced visitor amenities, and expanded education spaces. Future development plans focus on creating even more naturalistic habitats while improving accessibility and sustainability. Solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and waste reduction initiatives demonstrate commitment to environmental stewardship beyond animal care.

For those unable to visit in person, the zoo maintains active social media channels sharing animal updates, conservation news, and behind-the-scenes content. Virtual engagement opportunities expanded significantly during recent years, with live streams, online talks, and educational resources available through the website. These digital offerings extend the zoo's reach globally while building community among wildlife enthusiasts.

Whether you're planning your first visit, considering annual membership, or exploring career opportunities in zoology, Twycross Zoo offers meaningful connections with wildlife and conservation. Every ticket purchased, membership renewed, and donation made supports the ongoing mission to protect endangered species and inspire conservation action. For more information about planning your visit, see our visitor information page. To learn more about specific animals and exhibits, explore our FAQ section with detailed answers to common questions.