Legal challenge mounts against Bristol Zoo memorabilia auctions

Legal counsel has been sought in an effort to prevent the sale of memorabilia from the former Bristol Zoological Gardens through auction. The zoo ceased operations in September 2022, having existed for 186 years, and various items from the attraction are scheduled for auction on Friday and Monday. A group of shareholders, spearheaded by Save Bristol Zoo advocate Tom Jones, contends that no memorabilia should be auctioned until the zoo is formally sold for development purposes. A spokesperson for the zoo stated that any legal challenge was “not only wasting vital funds, but they are preventing us from saving wildlife and building a new conservation zoo”. Certain items were sold at an event held last Friday, with an additional 300 pieces—comprising vintage posters, signs, and statues, including a bust of the zoo’s renowned gorilla Alfred—scheduled for sale this Friday. Furthermore, an auction is planned for Monday to sell approximately 40 mid-Victorian benches, which served visitors to Bristol Zoo across multiple generations. Mr. Jones, a shareholder in the zoo, indicated that he and a collective of other shareholders were dissatisfied with the continuation of the online auctions. He stated, “As a group of extremely concerned shareholders, if the auctions can’t be stopped in time, we strongly urge people to bid on these items with a view to one day donating them back to Bristol Zoo Gardens, once a better future has been secured for the site.” Mr. Jones reported that shareholders felt “deeply concerned and offended” that the auctions were not discussed during their annual general meeting (AGM) in October, noting only a single prior mention in June regarding an auction for a “few items.” He further commented, “But not that they were going to strip the site bare.” He likened the situation to “the equivalent of someone leaving their property and smashing it up before they leave, vandalising something over which they are only custodians.” Mr. Jones concluded, “And it feels like they are trying to destroy any connection between the zoo and its future.” A spokesperson for the zoo affirmed that the site’s history was “important to us all.” Plans are in place to transform the distinctive zoo entrance building into a new Clifton Conservation Hub, intended to house community spaces and a café featuring a permanent exhibition detailing the zoo’s history. The spokesperson stated, “Bristol Zoological Society has kept items to display here, including the most important Alfred death mask and the original Zookeepers’ ‘Animal Bedtime’ Bell.” They also asserted that the persistent actions of a small contingent of Clifton residents to impede a conservation and education charity from advancing its future initiatives were “not only wasting vital funds, but they are preventing us from saving wildlife and building a new conservation zoo.” The zoo spokesperson further commented that rather than allocating crucial charitable funds to save endangered species, the zoo was compelled to defend legal claims, which was “extremely frustrating for all our staff and volunteers, who work so hard.” They additionally declared that the existing 12-acre site in Clifton was unsuitable for a contemporary, conservation-focused zoo, adding, “We won’t give in to pressure from a small well-funded group of campaigners – who are not zoo experts and don’t understand animal welfare.” Mr. Jones countered that labeling the half-a-million annual visitors to the zoo, along with the thousands who signed a petition to preserve it, as “small” was “extremely disrespectful.” He further stated that while no definitive decisions had been made, the shareholders were seeking legal advice and contemplating legal action. These auctions are occurring concurrently with opposition to the zoo’s proposals to construct 196 residences on the Clifton site. In October, the campaign organization Save Bristol Gardens Alliance—distinct from the shareholder group led by Mr. Jones—prevailed in a legal challenge against these plans, which are now slated for consideration at a judicial review. Mr. Jones additionally remarked that “life isn’t as simple as if you oppose plans to sell Bristol Zoo to become luxury housing, then you automatically oppose its conservation work as well.”