Since opening in 1968, Banham Zoo, founded by Martin Goymour, has been dedicated to connecting people with wildlife. What began as a small collection of pheasants and parrots soon grew into something much bigger. By 1971, we had welcomed a colony of woolly monkeys, becoming the first UK zoo to successfully breed the silvery woolly monkey – earning us the name Banham Zoo and Woolly Monkey Sanctuary.

Throughout the 1970s and 80s, Banham Zoo expanded both in size and ambition. In 1974, we became a member of the Federation of British Zoos, reflecting our dedication to animal welfare, education, and conservation. From an initial two-acre site, we have grown into a 50-acre wildlife park, now home to over 2,000 animals from more than 100 species.

In 2013, we became part of the Zoological Society of East Anglia (ZSEA), a registered charity, ensuring a sustainable future for Banham Zoo and our sister park, Africa Alive!. As a conservation-focused zoo, we are proud to contribute to global efforts to protect endangered species, while playing an active role in breeding programmes, habitat restoration, and education. Through unforgettable visits, up-close animal encounters, and hands-on learning experiences, we inspire lasting conservation action that supports vital global initiatives.

Today, Banham Zoo continues to grow, welcoming over 250,000 visitors each year. While we may be a regional zoo, our impact is far-reaching –through conservation projects, breeding programmes, and community education, we are working to protect wildlife for future generations. We encourage and empower our visitors to help preserve and protect the planet, while committing ourselves to conserving biodiversity and safeguarding vulnerable species.