Northumberland Zoo is now a registered charity
After more than a decade of growth, Northumberland Zoo has taken its next step as a registered charity.
This isn't about changing who we are. It's about giving us the opportunity to do even more of what we've always believed in.
Built on a vision. Carried forward by many.
Northumberland Zoo was established by the Bradley family in 2015, growing from a small family-run zoo into the accredited conservation zoo it is today.
Over the years, that vision has been brought to life by the people who care for our animals, maintain our habitats, educate our visitors, support our operations and work to protect wildlife.
And we couldn't have reached this point without the people who have supported us along the way. Every visit, membership, conversation, shared experience and connection with wildlife has helped us grow and extend our impact beyond the zoo itself.
Becoming a charity is the next chapter of that story.
Why become a charity?
Becoming a registered charity gives Northumberland Zoo new opportunities to grow in line with its mission and long-term vision.
It will allow us to develop our conservation and education work, strengthen partnerships with organisations working towards shared goals, and work more closely with our local community to connect people with wildlife and inspire conservation action.
Our founding values have been embedded within the charity's governing documents, with an independent Board of Trustees steering the charity and carrying forward the vision developed by the Bradley family.
What are we working towards?
Animal welfare
Continuing to strive for high standards of animal husbandry and providing environments that allow animals to express natural behaviours.
Education
Connecting people with wildlife, helping them understand the natural world and inspiring conservation action.
Sustainability
Developing an animal collection and facilities that are environmentally and economically sustainable, while supporting the long-term future of the zoo.
Conservation
Increasing our support for conservation programmes at home and abroad, including native species conservation here in Northumberland, alongside our existing work with endangered species.
Community & partnerships
Building stronger relationships with organisations, communities and partners working towards shared goals.
Already moving forward
Becoming a charity follows a period of significant development for Northumberland Zoo.
Over the last two years, we have worked towards charitable status alongside achieving accreditation with the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) and continuing our membership of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA).
We have also continued to develop conservation partnerships, including work supporting Harvest Mice and White-clawed Crayfish in Northumberland.
Becoming a charity gives us the opportunity to build on that work and do more.
Thank you for being part of the journey
To our team, our visitors, our members, our supporters, our partners and our wider community, thank you.
The zoo you see today has been shaped by the people who have cared for it, worked here, visited, supported it, learned with us and helped us connect more people with wildlife.
We couldn't have reached this point without you.
And this is only the beginning.