Hertfordshire Zoo

About

Hertfordshire Zoo, formerly known as Paradise Wildlife Park and originally opened as Broxbourne Zoo in the 1960s, is a privately operated zoological park and registered conservation charity located in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, England. The zoo is managed by the Zoological Society of Hertfordshire (registered charity no. 1108609) and is home to over 800 animals across themed habitats. Notable for its transformation from a poorly rated facility into a modern wildlife attraction, the zoo has featured prominently in UK media, including the CBBC series One Zoo Three. The zoo rebranded as Hertfordshire Zoo in 2022 to mark its 40th anniversary and to reflect its identity within the county. It continues to be used as a filming location for wildlife programming, including the CBBC show One Zoo Three and other spin-offs.

History: The zoo was originally established in the early 1960s as Broxbourne Zoo. By the 1980s, it had become infamous for poor animal welfare standards and was dubbed "the worst zoo in Britain" by animal rights groups and the press. In 1984, the Sampson family purchased the zoo and had originally planned to turn the site into a coach depot, but instead began a major overhaul...