We’re passionate about preventing any animal from becoming extinct.
At our zoo, you’ll see hundreds of exotic animals. You might have seen some of them before, but there are many you’ll be seeing for the first time. Sadly, some of our animals are in real danger of becoming extinct in the wild. When you see our animals up close, we hope you’ll want to help us do something to save them. To make sure your children, and their children, will be able to see them too. Because extinct means gone. Forever.
Just by visiting us, you’re helping, as education is key to conservation. Take time to read our signage around the attraction to find out more about our vulnerable and endangered species, the threats they face in the wild, our breeding programmes, our conservation partners, projects we’re involved in and what you can do to help.
We’re proud members of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquaria (BIAZA), the professional body representing the best zoos and aquariums in the UK and Ireland.
“We have more than 100 zoo and aquarium members whom we support in their commitment to be at the forefront of conservation, education and research. These days’ modern zoos and aquariums are much more than places where the public can go to view a range of different animals. Whilst providing a safe and fun-filled family day out is something our members are understandably proud of, by displaying the BIAZA logo our zoos and aquariums are also demonstrating their dedication to conserving the natural world through research and conservation programmes and to educating and inspiring their visitors to do the same.”
BIAZA
Through our BIAZA membership, and its European counterpart the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA) we’re subject to regular inspections in order to meet their high standards in relation to animal husbandry best practice, enclosure design and our commitments to conservation, education and research. In fact, not only do all our enclosure meet but often exceed the minimum size requirements. We’ve also won awards for their design.
We’re also extremely humbled to be the first, and currently only, Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) accredited farm park in Wales.
Meet Jack Gradidge, our conservation officer. Formerly a zoo keeper, Jack is extremely passionate about conservation and sustainability having worked with our critically endangered Eastern black rhino for a number of years culminating in the birth of Glyndwr – the first rhino to be born in Wales!
Now Jack is more likely to be found organising (and helping with!) tree planting initiatives, sitting on sustainability panels, organising conservation conferences and generally finding ways for us to improve our business with sustainability and conservation at its heart.
We’re part of 36 European endangered species breeding programmes through our membership of EAZA. You can read about what we’re doing for Eastern black rhino conservation and all of our breeding programmes.
We have several conservation partners who we support through education, awareness days and fundraising to support projects in the UK and beyond to protect animals in their natural environment. And we help with projects that reintroduce animals from zoos to the wild.
Conservation is more than protecting endangered and vulnerable species. It’s also about conserving resources and our environment. You can read more about our approach to sustainability and see our sustainability policy.
Our local community are our visitors, our team and our friends. We must be a responsible and sustainable business for them.
Our people, animals and environment are an integral part of Folly Farm. That’s why we put sustainability at the heart of what we do.