Chester Zoo sets new all-time visitor record in 2025
We welcomed more than 2.1 million visitors in 2025, breaking all previous attendance records since we opened our national conservation zoo in 1931.
We're delighted to announce that we had a record-breaking year in 2025, with more than 2.1 million people visiting the zoo.
The new figures, released today, have revealed that 2,136,224 people visited us last year - breaking all previous attendance records since we first opened in 1931.
It’s the first time the zoo has ever reached the 2.1 million visitor mark, surpassing our previous record of 2,086,785 set pre-pandemic in 2019.
These record-breaking figures reflect our continued investment in world-class animal habitats, cutting-edge scientific research and preventing wildlife extinction globally - none of which would have been possible without your continued support.
We launched two major developments last year. In spring, we opened the largest zoo habitat ever created in the UK, Heart of Africa, which is home to more than 57 highly threatened African species. The huge 22-acre landscape showcases our long-running conservation projects across Central and East Africa where our teams are protecting species like Eastern black rhino, Northern giraffe, giant pangolin and Eastern bongo.
Later in the year we unveiled The Reserve, our highly anticipated hotel featuring 51 luxury lodges, where guests can wake up to views of giraffe, zebra and antelope roaming just metres from their balconies.
This new record is an extraordinary achievement, and one that belongs to every single person who chose to visit our national conservation zoo - as well as our incredible staff and volunteers whose dedication makes everything we do possible.
Jamie Christon, Chief Executive Officer
Jamie continued:
“This year alone, that support has helped us open the UK’s largest zoo habitat for some of Africa’s most endangered species, launch a new conservation-led hotel where income is helping wildlife globally, and achieve pioneering scientific breakthroughs - including the development of the world’s first vaccine to protect elephants from one of their greatest threats, a deadly disease called EEHV.
“None of this would be possible without the unwavering backing of our visitors, members and donors, who are helping us to prevent wildlife extinction every day.”
The landmark year was also defined by successes in our conservation breeding programmes, including the historic birth of a snow leopard cub - a first for our national conservation zoo. This was followed by the birth of the UK’s only fossa pups, a species found in Madagascar, and eight Socorro dove chicks, a bird declared extinct in the wild in the 1970s and now only surviving thanks to the global efforts of zoos.
We also welcomed several highly endangered new arrivals, including two Asiatic lions - the world’s rarest lion species - alongside two Northeast African cheetahs, a pair of jaguars and two Asian elephants, each carefully selected to play a vital role in safeguarding the future of their species.
Thanks to our visitors, our impact is being felt around the world as every ticket is funding vital conservation work, from caring for and breeding some of the world’s most threatened plant and animal species right here in Chester, to delivering projects on the ground in 20 different countries across Africa, Asia, South America and Europe.
Kirsten Pullen, Chief Conservation Officer
Kirsten continued:
“These global initiatives bring together pioneering science and research, the expert technical knowledge of our teams and, importantly, the involvement of local communities who share their landscapes with wildlife. By ensuring people feel genuinely connected and invested in protecting the natural world around them, we can create lasting change for generations to come.”
