Colchester Zoo has confirmed it will be changing its name from January 1, 2025. 

The Maldon Road attraction will be known as the Colchester Zoological Society from that date.

The name change was unveiled as part of the zoo's huge expansion plan, revealed as the zoo celebrated its 60th anniversary.

A drawing of the development shows how the zoo plans to expand, subject to planning permission.

The zoo hopes it can bring in new species such as Gorilla, Bonobo and Okapi.

The plans for the expansion, set out in a graphic released by the zoo, also include an extended safari ride experience, a refurbished savannah paddock, and a larger car park.

The zoo has been privately owned for six decades with a charitable arm, Action for the Wild, since 2004. 

The charity provided much-needed funds to conservation projects around the world, including the private nature reserve in South Africa, UmPhafa. 

Gazette:

Visits to the zoo will continue to make contributions to the developments in the zoo and the ongoing projects elsewhere. 

According to Colchester Zoo, the park as an attraction will not change for visitors, as the big changes will be made behind the scenes. 

Action of the Wild will transform into a trust in spring 2024 and will take over running the zoo. 

UmPhafa will receive its own trust, the UmPhafa Conservation Trust, and will focus on the South African operation, which aims to get a protected area status, which will give it the official status of a nature reserve. 

The zoo recently announced a series of improvements to be made to enclosures at the zoo in a boost to animals and visitors.