Botanical Conservation

Since the year 2000 the mission statement of Chester Zoo has been extended to include plants. We understand that conservation of animals is pointless if the environment in which they live is not protected too. The vast majority of the animal world depends on plants in one way or another for food and shelter for example, and, at a more fundamental level, for oxygen in the air.

Chester Zoo aims to help conserve plants and make people aware of their variety and significance. We plan a gradual increase in the number of endangered species grown here and are currently cataloguing all important conservation plants on a database. We hold a very substantial collection of Pleurothallid orchids, in collaboration with Steve Manning, NCCPG National collection holder. Our collection of cacti in increasing fast and we are growing several rare British native species too.

Chester Zoo has strong links with conservation bodies at national and international levels, including botanic gardens and plant conservation organisations, and is playing an increasingly significant part in plant conservation projects. Environmental issues are also important in the zoo nursery and gardens. Most plants are grown in peat free composts, and green waste is composted and used on site. Pest control is largely via biological methods, and plastic plant pots are recycled.