People / Spotlight

40 years of work at Bristol Zoo

By Bristol24/7  Thursday Jan 29, 2015

John Partridge, Bristol Zoo’s senior curator of animals, is celebrating 40 years working at the zoo.

When John began his career at the Clifton attraction in January 1975, he worked in the old ape house near the main gate.

In the late 1970s, he was trusted with hand rearing a baby pygmy hippo (see first photo in above gallery), which he recalls as being one of the most enjoyable adventures of his long career.

EatDrink24/7 Launch Party is back on July 8 2026!
Exclusive collabs from Bristol’s favourite food vendors, available for one night only. Be first to grab your free copy of the EatDrink24/7 guide – plus every ticket comes with a free limited-edition beer can.

The photos taken over the last four decades also show how much the zoo has changed in the time John has been a member of staff, with monkeys walked around the ground and large animals like elephants needing a good clean.

Read Bristol24/7’s 10 Questions with John Partridge from November last year.

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