Chester Zoo hits new all-time visitor record in landmark year for conservation charity

Chester Zoo welcomed more than 2.1million visitors for the first time ever in 2025

The new figure breaks all previous attendance records since the national conservation zoo opened its gates in 1931

Conservationists have issued a thank you to public for helping to ‘prevent wildlife extinction’ 

Income generated will continue to fund major conservation and scientific breakthroughs in 2026 and beyond

Milestone year also saw the opening of the UK’s largest zoo habitat and launch of luxury safari-style resort

New figures, released today, have revealed that 2,136,224 people visited the charity zoo last year - breaking all previous attendance records since first opening in 1931.

It’s the first time the zoo has ever reached the 2.1m visitor mark, surpassing its previous record of 2,086,785 set pre-pandemic in 2019.

Conservationists have issued a heartfelt public thank you to supporters, saying the record-breaking figures reflect the zoo’s continued investment in world-class animal habitats, cutting-edge scientific research and preventing wildlife extinction globally.

The zoo launched two major developments last year. In spring, it 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 the zoo’s long-running conservation projects across Central and East Africa where its teams are protecting species like Eastern black rhino, Northern giraffe, giant pangolin and Eastern bongo.

Later in the year, the zoo unveiled The Reserve, its 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.

Zoo bosses say funds generated by the developments have led to vital conservation breakthroughs globally.

Jamie Christon, Chief Executive Officer at Chester Zoo, said:

“2025 has been a truly remarkable year for Chester Zoo and one that will be fondly remembered in our long history. To welcome more than 2.1million visitors and set a 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.

“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 the zoo’s conservation breeding programmes, including the historic birth of a snow leopard cub - a first for the conservation charity. 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.

The zoo 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. 

Kirsten Pullen, Chief Conservation Officer at Chester Zoo, said:

“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.”

“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.”

Chester Zoo spans 130 acres and is home to more than 30,000 animals from more than 500 highly threatened species. It generates around £50m every year for the regional economy and, during peak summer months, employs up to 1,000 people. 

The zoo is widely regarded as the UK’s leading conservation zoo and is firmly established as one of the top three zoos in Europe, and one of the best in the world, according to users of the travel website TripAdvisor.