The Midlands team are delighted to invite you to a bespoke visit to Chester Zoo and the Cheshire AGM. 

Chester Zoo is the UK’s favourite zoo as well as an international conservation charity. 

The zoo was founded by the Mottershead family and welcomed its first visitors on 10 June 1931. 

What began as a family run zoo has grown into a globally-renowned centre of excellence for conservation and scientific research, and one of the UK’s biggest and most popular visitor attractions. We have even been voted the best zoo in the UK on TripAdvisor. The zoo’s 130-acre site in Chester, which is home to more than 30,000 animals and more than 500 species, is where this species-saving work is made possible. 

The zoo pride themselves on their global conservation work, the zoo is key part of 139 international conservation breeding programmes, working with 62 conservation partners in 19 countries to protect wildlife and people. Experts from the zoo are recognised by governments and NGOs across the world as leaders within the global conservation community. Currently, the zoo is saving species on behalf of the Bermudan, Spanish and Portuguese governments, among others.  

The day will begin with the AGM at The Square and an update on the latest issues affecting members by CLA Deputy President, Joe Evans, followed by an introduction to Chester Zoo by Scott Wilson, Head of Fields Programme. 

There will be a behind the scenes guided ranger tour of Chester Zoo’s award-winning gardens and iconic animal habitats, revealing how they are helping to protect wildlife both internationally and here in the UK. From Himalayan mountain ranges to native British gardens, our expert rangers will share fascinating insights into the animals you’ll encounter and the real-world conservation work happening beyond the zoo’s boundaries. 

Tour highlights include:

• The Square – a warm welcome and introduction to the journey ahead
• Snow Leopards & Red Pandas – exploring life in the high Himalayas
• Himalayan Garden – discovering our award-winning landscaping and how habitats are designed to reflect the wild
• Wildlife Garden – highlighting our native species work, including Networks for Nature
• Elephants – an insight into the Manas landscape and our conservation work through Assam Haathi
• Meerkats & Vultures – engaging stories of adaptation and survival
• The Savannah – exploring habitat design within the zoo and our giraffe conservation work in Uganda
• Painted Dogs & Black Rhinos – learning about some of Africa’s most threatened species

The tour concludes at The Reserve, leaving you with a deeper understanding of how carefully designed landscapes, dedicated partnerships, and passionate people come together to make a difference for wildlife worldwide. 

The tour will cover a combination of our award-winning gardens, and amazing animal habitats. We will discuss some of our many global conservation projects that show how Chester Zoo influences landscapes for conservation with partners around the world, and right here in the UK. From Himalayan mountain ranges, to UK gardens and everything in between, our zoo rangers will guide you and share stories of our animals and conservation giving you a small insight into some of the amazing work that goes on here at Chester Zoo. 

You will enjoy a two-course lunch before departure. 

Please ensure suitable footwear and clothing is worn as the tours will take place outdoors.

PROGRAMME  
10am Arrival and refreshments  
- AGM  
- Update from CLA Deputy President, Joe Evans   
- Welcome from Chester Zoo by Scott Fields, Head of Fields Programme
- Guided walking tour of gardens, animals and conservation  
- Two course lunch
2.30pm Depart

Please note you can park in the main car park or the private event car park. The main car park will have a shorter walk back to your car at the end of the day. The private event car park will have a shorter walk to the venue for morning talks and a longer walk (approx 15 minutes) back to your car at the end of day.

For the MAIN ZOO ENTRANCE use SAT NAV CH2 1EU
For PRIVATE EVENTS use SAT NAV CH2 1LH (Caughall Road)

If you have any questions or would like to book a ticket please contact midlands@cla.org.uk or contact the Midlands office on 01785 337010.

Brabners
Knight Frank