Five Sisters Zoo

02/02/2025

Today is World Wetlands Day! 🌍

Today, we celebrate the incredible wetlands returning to Britain and the vital role they play in our ecosystems. 🌱

A well-known native species responsible for creating these wetlands is the Eurasian beaver. A recent study by the University of Stirling found that beaver-created wetlands support 50% more species than other wetland areas.

Since 2019, Five Sisters Zoo has partnered with Beaver Trust to translocate over 250 beavers as part of essential restoration projects across the UK.

Check out this stunning picture from Perthshire, showcasing the wetlands created by these amazing ecosystem engineers! 🦫💚

📷 Beaver Trust

01/02/2025

It’s World Fishing Cat Day! 😻

Today, we’re thrilled to celebrate our amazing fishing cat sisters, Tia and Tara, who have been part of the Five Sisters Zoo family since 2017. 🐾

This special day also marks the beginning of Fishing Cat February, a month dedicated to raising awareness about this incredible species and the conservation efforts needed to protect them. 💚

Fishing cats are found in South and Southeast Asia, where they thrive in wetland habitats. True to their name, fish make up a significant portion of their diet! Unfortunately, fishing cats are currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, facing threats from habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict. 🌏

To honor these incredible felines, we’ve added a special fishing cat keeper talk to our daily schedule at 1:30pm. If you’re visiting the zoo today, be sure to join us to learn more about their fascinating lives and the challenges they face in the wild. 🗣️

📷 Peter Baird

30/01/2025

Throwback Thursday! ✨

We couldn’t help but reshare this video of a young Rufio enjoying a ball pit! 🥺❤️

At FSZ, we are dedicated to enhancing the lives of our animals through a variety of enjoyable and natural activities. This includes providing interactive toys that challenge their minds as well as creating engaging environments that promote natural behaviours, ensuring our animals have enriching experiences every day.

📷 Keeper Emma

29/01/2025

Join us in giving Baloo a hibernation celebration! 🐻🎉

Today, we’re celebrating our Asiatic black bear, Baloo, who is turning 5! 🎂

Although he’s currently hibernating, we’re sending him lots of love and warm birthday wishes from everyone at Five Sisters Zoo! 🖤✨

28/01/2025

Celebrate Your Child’s Birthday at Five Sisters Zoo! 🦁🐧

Looking for a wild way to make your child’s birthday unforgettable?
Our brand-new Zoo Party Experience is the perfect way to celebrate!

🐾 What’s Included?

✅ 45-minute guided zoo tour — meet and learn about incredible animals
🦦 Exclusive 15-minute animal experience for the birthday child
🎈 1-hour private party room at the Brown Bear Café with delicious food options
🎂 Perfect for groups of 10 to 25 children

🎟 Just £25 per child!

To book please call the zoo on 01506870000 or email [email protected].

28/01/2025

Last week, our head keeper Veselina and our vet Romain had the incredible opportunity to attend the BIAZA Great British Wildlife Restoration Reception at the Speaker's House in the House of Commons! They represented our joint beaver restoration project with Beaver Trust, through which we've relocated over 250 beavers in the last five years. 🦫

We take immense pride in the conservation efforts at FSZ, and it was a wonderful opportunity to share our work with such inspiring politicians. A special thank you goes to our local MP, Gregor Poynton for his support at the event.

Although we didn't win this time, it was a fantastic experience to hear about and celebrate the conservation initiatives being implemented in zoos across the nation! 🌍💚

27/01/2025

Monday morning got us all feeling a bit like Plusza 😴✨

📷 Peter Baird

26/01/2025

Peekaboo from the smallest cat in the zoo 👀

that rusty-spotted cats are known for their elusive nature, making them one of the world’s most secretive and rarely seen wild cats!

📷 Peter Baird

25/01/2025

Happy Burns Night 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Celebrating with a picture of Jura, one of our iconic Scottish wildcats! 🐾

📷 Peter Baird

25/01/2025

We are pleased to inform you that, despite some damage, fallen trees, and debris from Storm Eowyn, the zoo and Leaping Lemurs Cafe and Soft Play will reopen today, Saturday, January 25th.

If you are visiting today, we appreciate your patience as we continue with repairs and cleanup.

A huge thank you to our incredible team who braved the storm yesterday to ensure our animals received the care they needed.

As always, thank you for your continued support! ❤️

23/01/2025

Five Sisters Zoo Closed tomorrow (Friday 24th January)❗️💨

Due to the red weather warning issued by the Met Office, Five Sisters Zoo will be closed tomorrow, 24th January.

Leaping Lemurs Soft Play & Café will also be closed.

We apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. Please stay safe, and we’ll keep you updated on any further changes.

23/01/2025

Discover the Art of Wildlife Photography with Paul McDougall! 📸🐾

Join our Beginner’s Wildlife Photography Experience at Five Sisters Zoo and learn to capture stunning shots of our incredible animals.

Don’t miss your chance to gain essential photography skills in a hands-on, immersive environment!

🗓 Next Workshop Date: 15th February 2025
🔗 Book Now: https://fivesisterszoo.co.uk/beginners-wildlife-photogtraphy/

Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your wildlife photography, Paul McDougall’s expert guidance will help you take your skills to the next level. Spaces are limited, so secure your spot today!

21/01/2025

🌟 Exciting volunteering opportunity 🦫

Join Five Sisters Zoo and Beaver Trust as a Beaver Care Assistant volunteer! Find out more details below ⬇️

Do you have experience working in animal care and husbandry? Do you have time to volunteer 1-2 four-hour sessions a week?

We are looking for volunteers to help Five Sisters Zoo and Beaver Trust staff take care of translocated beavers at our holding facility at the zoo. We are looking for individuals with previous experience working in animal care and husbandry, excellent observational skills and the ability to adhere to strict biosecurity measures.

To find out more about the role visit: https://beavertrust.org/our-mission/vacancies/

Things to consider before applying are:
➡️ You will need to be over 18 years old
➡️ You will be subject to a disclosure check
➡️ You will need access to transport to get to and from the zoo.

An interview will be conducted with the Beaver Trust and Five Sisters Zoo team before appointment as a volunteer.

If you are interested in the role please send an email with a copy of your CV and a cover letter outlining why you would be suitable for this volunteer role to [email protected] by 5pm on Monday 3rd February. Interviews will occur on-site at Five Sisters Zoo in early February.

20/01/2025

It’s Blue Monday, but our penguins at Five Sisters Zoo are here to lift your spirits—especially since it’s also Penguin Awareness Day! 🐧💙

Our Humboldt penguins, who call FSZ home, are currently listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. They face threats in the wild from climate change, pollution, and overfishing among others. Today serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of protecting and conserving these amazing birds.

Join us for our daily keeper talk at 12pm to learn more about our 23 Humboldt penguins and discover ways you can help support their conservation! 🗣️

📷 Keeper Angela

18/01/2025

We recently received recognition from several MSPs for our vital role in restoring Britain’s beaver population! 🦫

Our partnership with Beaver Trust has successfully translocated over 250 beavers, contributing to essential restoration projects like the Argaty Red Kites, Ealing Beaver Project, and The Cairngorms Beaver Project.

A huge thank you to all the MSPs for their support and congratulations to FSZ on being nominated for the BIAZA Great British Wildlife Restoration Award!

18/01/2025

We have gardeners and landscapers employed at the zoo available for commercial and private garden work , most types of garden work catered for and most areas covered, for a free no obligation quote contact Brian on 07584324920 or e mail [email protected]

17/01/2025

Happy 1st Birthday to our Highland cow, Maggie! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🐮🧡

📷 Keeper Saskia

16/01/2025

Our beaver health screening in action! 🦫🩺

When beavers arrive at our facility through our partnership with Beaver Trust, they receive a thorough health check from our expert wildlife vet, Dr. Romain Pizzi. This includes weighing, measuring, microchipping, and collecting blood and hair samples, along with x-rays to ensure their wellbeing.

After this screening, the beavers stay in our specially designed holding facility, where our dedicated keepers care for them while we await their test results. Once we confirm they are disease-free and ready for their next adventure, a release site is carefully selected and we ensure the entire family is safely caught and tested before they are released, all under the guidance of NatureScot.

This particular beaver is just 1 of over 250 that have come through our facility as part of this vital project since 2019! 💚

We’re thrilled to share that this initiative has been nominated for the BIAZA Great British Wildlife Restoration Award! Voting is almost closed, so we encourage you to reach out to your MP and House of Lords representative to support this important effort in beaver restoration.