Animal Exhibits

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Being one of the top 15 zoos in the world is no mean feat - it's something Chester Zoo has achieved through its innovative animal enclosures. Animal welfare and visitor viewing opportunities are key considerations in designing the unrivalled animal exhibits you can enjoy here. To improve our exhibits we constantly research how they are recieved by our animals and visitors alike.

Animal enclosures have moved on in leaps and bounds and many of our new exhibits are mixed, enabling us to put different but complementary species together.  There are also immersive exhibits such as the Tsavo Bird Safari where you are able to walk amongst many different colourful bird species.

As a charity, Chester Zoo relies on the valuable support of our visitors and supporters to enable us  to upgrade existing houses and develop new exhibits, such as the new Giant Otter enclosure. Without your support we could not continue to deliver these world-class animal houses that offer the best care for our animals and an unrivalled visitor experience for you. Thank you.

  • Asian Plains

    This mixed exhibit features the magnificent Greater One-horned Rhinoceros living alongside the Brow-antlered Deer and Black Buck.

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  • Butterfly Journey

    In November 2008 the Zoo opened Butterfly Journey, the largest zoo-based butterfly house in the UK.

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  • Elephants of the Asian Forest

    This modern enclosure is a purpose built for our breeding herd of Asian elephants and other threatened species of their habitat.

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  • Fruit Bat Forest

    The Fruit Bat Forest is home to three bat species,the Livingstone’s Fruit Bat, the Rodrigues Fruit Bat and Seba’s Bat.

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  • Islands in Danger

    Considered to be the most intelligent of all reptiles, the Komodo Dragon is an intriguing animal and Islands in Danger is home to these magnificent reptiles.

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  • Realm of the Red Ape

    Realm of the Red Ape is an Indonesian forest themed exhibit which immerses visitors in the world of the forest canopy and its teeming biodiversity.

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  • Spirit of the Jaguar

    We believe it to be the largest and best Jaguar enclosure in the world and it has a wealth of interpretation to stimulate the mind.

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  • Tropical Realm

    Contains much of the zoos tropical bird collection and many reptiles.

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  • Tsavo Black Rhino Experience

    Tsavo is a purpose-built enclosure which provides natural surroundings for our group of seven adult and two young Black Rhinos.

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Today at ChesterZoo

It's Thu 17 May

Animal Talk Times

12:00 PM - 5:00 PM

We're opening later than usual due to the royal visit. We aim to be open by noon. Find out more.

More opening times