Chester Zoo Nature Reserve

In case you didn’t know already, I must admit I do really like Chester Zoo. So much to see, so much to do at the 3rd best zoo in the world. Latest news from Chester Zoo is that Chester Zoo conservationists have disclosed details of a new 60,000 square metre nature reserve. Chester Zoo Nature Reserve provides a safe habitat for threatened British wildlife. This new wildlife sanctuary is located outside the boundary of Chester Zoo’s main entrance. And and added bonus….it’s free for visitors to enter.

Chester Zoo Nature Reserve

Chester Zoo Nature Reserve

Already the site is known to be a home for a wide variety of significant local and national species. Chester Zoo initially built a small nature reserve back in 2013. However, this new location boasts an expansion of some 600% on the original. It provides larger and new protected homes for particularly vulnerable species and a larger community area.

A section of the Reserve is designated as a Local Wildlife Site for important birds, plants and invertebrates located there. Previously the Reserve area was utilised for agriculture purposes. However, over the last two years the area has been carefully restored, allowing nature to move in and thrive.

Visitors will find it now comprises of wildflower meadows, log piles, beetle banks, ponds, tress and a reedbed. There is also a hide where you can view the wildlife.

Funding for the Chester Zoo Nature Reserve has been partly provided by a grant of £49,144 from WREN’s FCC Community Action Fund.

WREN is a “not-for-profit” organisation that can provide funding in the form of grants for community projects.  These funds are donated by FCC Environment through the Landfill Communities Fund.

The Reserve is a timely intervention as some formerly widespread species are rapidly declining in numbers. These species include water voles and tortoiseshell butterfly. Also suffering from a decline in numbers are hedgehogs.

Hedgehogs

Hedgehogs are declining in the UK at the same rate as rate as tigers are globally, at an alarming rate of five per cent per annum. To alleviate this issue, wide hedges, meadows and rough grassland will be carefully maintained and managed.

Estimates are that in the region of 30 per cent of the hedgehog population has been lost since 2002. An estimated population of less than a million left in the UK is another disturbing statistic. Hopefully Chester Zoo Nature Reserve will address this problem.

Bumblebees

It is so tempting to try and swat a bumblebee whenever we see one. Wrong!! Do not swat bumblebees. It is estimated that half of the UK’s 27 species of bumblebees are in decline. Seven of these species have declined by more than a staggering 50 per cent in only the last 25 years. Worse than that, three of the nation’s bumblebee species are already extinct.

Hopefully the new Chester Zoo Nature Reserve meadow will help bumblebees and other struggling pollinating insects.

UK Bats

Sadly the populations of the majority of UK bat species have declined in the last 100 years or so. Unfortunately only a few of these species are displaying any signs of recovery. The numbers of the UK’s most common bat species, pipistrelles, have drastically declined over the last few decades. On a positive note, conservationists have have already seen bats over at the meadow enjoying a good feed.

Wildflowers

Chester Zoo Nature Reserve will also benefit the UK’s wildflowers. Wildflowers are vital to the well being of a nature reserve. As well as bringing colour, they are important in their own right. However our wildflowers are not very well protected. Around 20 per cent of Britain’s wildflowers are in danger of extinction.

Official Unveiling

Channel 4’s Wild Things presenter, Dr Trevor Dines, will officially be unveiling and supporting the Reserve. The new meadow at Chester Zoo Nature Reserve has contributed a total of 2,008 acres to the HRH Prince Charles’ Coronation project.

Visitors will find it easy enough to navigate around the Reserve as it will include a walking trail, ideally accessible for strollers, wheelchairs and baby buggies.

Chester Zoo conservationists are hopeful that the Reserve will encourage visitors to take action of their own. Hopefully members of the public will be encouraged to create their own versions of wildlife habitats in their own gardens and community areas.

Also, through the Zoo’s Wildlife Connections campaign, the Zoo has created a series of “How To” guides in an attempt to connect people with Britain’s wildlife. You can find these guides HERE.

If the weather is good over the weekend (it is forecast to be a hot one), I can see a trip to the Zoo will be on the cards. If so, I’ll take some photos and post them next week.

A trip to Chester Zoo is a great option at any time but a Bank Holiday weekend and the weather is nice – a no-brainer really!!!

For More Information on Chester and Chester Lifestyle

If you wish to know more about the beautiful city of Chester and Chester Lifestyle – click HERE.

Chester Zoo – More Posts On Chester Lifestyle.

For more articles and posts about Chester Zoo on my Chester Lifestyle website, see the links below….

Chester Zoo – General information, history, timetable, admission prices and a couple of videos – click HERE.

Rare Newts Born At Chester Zoo – Read more HERE.

Chester Zoo Voted Third Best In The World – only 3rd!! Read more HERE.

Visit To Chester Zoo – see what I thought of a recent visit to Chester Zoo. Read more HERE.