Information on Zoos
Good Zoo. Bad Zoo. Dead Dad
For many of us, a trip to the zoo is part of growing up.
As children and teenagers, we rarely stop to ask what that experience costs the animals on the other side of the fence.
Good Zoo. Bad Zoo. Dead Dad is a murder mystery for readers aged 14 to 20+. It’s fast-paced and entertaining, but also an easy way to explore the bigger picture — balancing the joy of visiting a zoo with the hidden cost of providing that experience.
Woven through the fiction are true, first-hand accounts of what really happens behind the scenes, giving readers a chance to see beyond the turnstiles.
Chapter One
Today I start a summer job at the zoo where an elephant trampled my Dad to death. They call it an accident. I say it’s murder.
The entrance plaza greets me with a sticky, sour mix of warm chemical disinfectant and rank animal pee. I know this place by heart, but the old thrill died with my father. My feet drag on the paving stones, the very air snags in my throat. Mum warned working here this might trigger me, but I didn’t expect it to before I started work.
Ahead, kids cry, parents snap and unhappiness simmers along the queues for the ‘UK’s Greatest Zoo’. The looping ‘jungle music’ drills into my skull, a relentless, cheap soundtrack I can't switch off. The email said to wait by the hot-dog stall, a silver trolley painted in zebra stripes. I step aside to avoid the crowd, under a sign which read: ‘PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE ANIMALS’. Ironic.
A moan makes its way to me and a little girl wearing a rabbit-ear headband screams, “Dad, speak to someone. They can’t have run out.”
I’m always hungry, but not today.
Somewhere beyond the gates, an elephant trumpeted and …
Read the first chapter for free here.
Why Write a Novel About a Zoo?
"Chains, concrete, boredom so deep it breaks them. You can read about cruelty in zoos, but when it’s part of a story, you feel every cage slam shut."
Zoo Welfare Campaigner
They told us the baboons had been ‘humanely put to sleep’. I only found out later they were healthy — just not needed. That’s when I stopped believing zoos care."
Judy, 15-year-old zoo visitor
"I saw lion cubs born twisted, blind, and in pain because of inbreeding. We called it ‘bad luck’. The truth is, it was bad planning and worse priorities."
Former Zoo Keeper
Comprehensive UK Zoo & Safari Park Guide
| Zoo / Park (Location) | Postcode | Adult Ticket (Online) | Child Ticket (Online) | BIAZA Status | Instagram Handle | TikTok Handle | Mobility Accessibility | Parking Cost | Visibility Challenge & Friction Points (Negatives) | Common Positives (Experience & Welfare) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chester Zoo (Cheshire) | CH2 1EU | £38.00 | £28.00 | Member | @chesterzoo | @chesterzooofficial | Good (Mostly Flat) | Free | Visibility Trade-off: Animals often difficult to see due to the huge, naturalistic enclosures. High cost of on-site food/drink. | Top-rated for conservation and welfare. Excellent layout and high-quality habitats. |
| London Zoo (ZSL) (London) | NW1 4RY | £30.50 | £21.35 | Member | @zsllondonzoo | @londonzooofficial | Good (Mostly Flat) | Parking is rare/costly in London. | Price/Value Disconnect: High admission price. If star animals are hiding/inactive, value drops sharply. | Diverse collection, excellent central city location. Strong immersive exhibits. |
| Whipsnade Zoo (ZSL) (Bedfordshire) | LU6 2LF | £32.00 | £22.40 | Member | @zslwhipsnadezoo | @whipsnadezoo | Moderate (Hilly Areas) | Free | Size & Terrain: Animals can be miles away due to 600-acre size. Very hilly site; extra fee to drive in. | UK's largest zoo by area; huge open spaces for animals. Drive-through option. |
| Colchester Zoo (Essex) | CO3 0SL | £25.85 | £20.90 | Member | @colchester_zoo | N/A | Moderate (Steep Climbs) | Free | Animals in larger enclosures are frequently tucked away. Steep climbs/hills on site. | Excellent value. Strong conservation focus. Good use of walk-through enclosures. |
| Yorkshire Wildlife Park (Doncaster) | DN9 3QY | Varies | Varies | Member | @yorkshirewildlifepark | N/A | Good (Mostly Flat) | Free | Vast Habitats: Animals are often hard to locate or are seen from a great distance. | Excellent for animal welfare (large, modern enclosures). Relatively flat site. |
| Marwell Zoo (Hampshire) | SO21 1JH | £25.00 | £21.00 | Member | @marwellzoo | @marwellzooofficial | Poor (Built on a Hill) | Free | Hilly & Spread Out: The steep hill makes animal sightings a strenuous, sometimes unrewarding, effort. | Very spacious grounds with strong conservation focus. Excellent play areas. |
| Paignton Zoo (Devon) | TQ4 7EU | £19.95 | £14.95 | Member | @paigntonzoo | @paigntonzoo | Moderate (Steep Slopes) | Free | Terrain & Low Visibility: Large grounds with many hills. Animals retreat easily, leading to low value perception. | Excellent price point. Beautiful botanical gardens and conservation commitment. |
| Bristol Zoo Project (near Bristol) | BS10 7TP | N/A | N/A | Member | @bristolzooproject | N/A | Moderate (Varied Terrain) | Free | Purposeful Low Visibility: Fewer animals total; animals have maximum hiding space (e.g., Bear Wood). | Highly praised for naturalistic habitat design and commitment to rewilding. |
| Longleat Safari (Wiltshire) | BA12 7JS | £44.95 | £33.70 | Member | @longleatofficial | @longleatofficial | Good (Walk-around areas) | Free | Overcrowding: Long queues and extreme congestion during peak driving times. Walk-through animals still hide. | Guaranteed close-up encounters in the drive-through. Unique non-animal attractions. |
| West Midlands Safari Park (Worcs.) | DY12 1LF | From £19.90 | From £19.90 | Member | @wmsp | @westmidlandssafaripark | Moderate (Steep Path to Walk-around) | Free | Value Confusion (rides cost extra); Walk-through areas suffer from hidden/sleeping animals. | Excellent drive-through safari with animal feeding options. Offers a valuable free return ticket. |
| Woburn Safari Park (Bedfordshire) | MK43 0TU | Varies | Varies | Member | @woburn_safari | @woburnsafari | Good (Mostly Flat) | Free | Queues: Congestion during the drive-through. Animals are prone to hiding effectively. | Good variety of animals and a well-structured drive-through that allows repeat circuits. |
| Howletts Wild Animal Park (Kent) | CT4 5EL | £26.00 | £20.00 | Non-Member | @howlettspark | @thewildanimalpark | Good (Generally Flat) | Free | Fewer species; Animals can be less visible, though the park is flatter/easier to navigate. | Strong focus on primates and elephants; known for its conservation ethos. |
| Port Lympne (Kent) | CT21 4LR | £26.00 | £20.00 | Non-Member | @portlympnepark | @portlympnepark | Poor (Very Hilly) | Free | Terrain & Bumpy Ride: Extremely hilly terrain. Safari truck ride is bumpy, and viewing is sporadic. | Provides an authentic, large-scale safari experience. |
| Twycross Zoo (Warwickshire) | CV9 3PX | £26.95 | £19.75 | Member | @twycrosszoo | @twycrosszoo | Good (Generally Flat) | £3.50 | Layout & Emptiness: Confusing layout. Star animals are hard to locate; some older enclosures noted. | Excellent primate collection. Gruffalo Discovery Land is a huge visibility positive. |
| Dudley Zoo (West Midlands) | DY1 4QF | £23.00 | £16.95 | Member | @dudley.zoo | @dudleyzooandcastle | Poor (Very Hilly) | £4.00 | Hilly Terrain: Very hilly site. Visibility in some older, historical enclosures is limited. | Unique setting within a medieval castle. Good value and engaging walk-throughs. |
| Knowsley Safari (Merseyside) | L34 4AN | £24.75 | £22.50 | Member | @knowsleysafari | @knowsleysafari | Good (Walk-around area) | Varies | Car Damage Risk: Anxiety over baboon damage. Walk-around visibility is low. | Guaranteed, close-up encounters in the drive-through. Excellent Sea Lion show. |
| 🏴 Edinburgh Zoo | EH12 6TS | £27.50 | £17.50 | Member | @edinburghzoo | @edinburghzoo | Poor (Steep Hill) | Varies | Giant Hill: Steepest hill of all UK zoos; combined with hidden animals, the walk is unrewarding. | Excellent conservation reputation (RZSS). Reliable viewing of the Penguin Parade and koalas. |
| 🏴 Blair Drummond Safari | FK9 4UR | £22.50 | £16.00 | Member | @blairdrummondsafaripark | @blair_drummond | Good (Mostly Flat) | Free | Overcrowding: Queues for the drive-through can be long. Limited food options. | Excellent value. Fantastic drive-through safari and fun adventure park section. |
| 🏴 Highland Wildlife Park | PH21 1NL | £22.95 | £17.25 | Member | @highlandwildlifepark | N/A | Moderate (Varied Terrain) | Free | Extreme Size: Animals (Polar Bears, Tigers) have huge natural habitats, meaning spotting them requires great patience and luck. | Highest-rated for welfare and stunning natural scenery. Strong focus on cold-weather species. |
| 🏴 Five Sisters Zoo | EH55 8PT | £20.95 | £15.50 | Member | @fivesisterszoo | N/A | Good (Mostly Flat) | Varies | Car park is poor. Some extra attractions cost money. | High score for rescued animals; Affordable admission. |
| 🏴 Folly Farm | SA68 0XA | £26.60 | £24.70 | Member | @follyfarmwales | @follyfarmadventurepark | Good (Mostly Flat) | Free | Large size means a lot of walking; Fairground rides are extra cost. | Best Day Out in Wales; Huge indoor vintage fairground. |
| 🏴 Welsh Mountain Zoo | LL28 5UY | £14.39 | £10.83 | Member | @welsh_mountain_zoo | @welshmountainzoo | Poor (Mountain Terrain) | Free | Mountain Terrain: Very steep site makes walking extremely difficult. If the main animals are hiding, the walk is strenuous and unrewarding. | Lowest Price on the list; Stunning coastal views. |
| 🏴 Manor Wildlife Park | SA70 8RJ | £13.95 | £13.95 | Non-Member | @manorwildlifepark | @manorwildlifepark | Good (Mostly Flat) | Free | Food/Price: Limited and expensive food options. Some animal encounters felt short or overpriced. | Excellent immersive walk-through encounters. |
| Cotswold Wildlife Park (Oxfordshire) | OX18 4JP | £23.50 | £17.00 | Member | @cotswoldwildlifepark | @cotswoldwildlifepark | Good (Mostly Flat) | Free | Crowding: Gets extremely busy on weekends; long queues to enter and drive-through sections can slow down. | Giraffe Walkway allows visitors to get up to eye-level. Beautiful gardens and park setting. |
| Blackpool Zoo (Lancashire) | FY3 8PP | £24.99 | £19.99 | Member | @blackpoolzoo | @blackpoolzoo | Good (Flat Site) | Varies | Layout & Older Areas; Visibility can be poor on rainy days. | Highly praised, accessible flat site. Excellent sea lion shows. |
| Hertfordshire Zoo (Herts) | EN10 7QA | £29.00 | £25.00 | Member | @hertfordshirezoo | @hertfordshirezoo | Moderate (Some Steep Areas) | Free | Hills/Walking; The site has some steep areas. Tickets are pricey. | Known for its Big Cat Territory and dinosaur park. |
| Noah's Ark Zoo Farm (Somerset) | BS48 1PG | £23.50 | £18.50 | Accredited Member | @noahsarkzoofarm | @noahsarkzoobristol | Good (Mostly Flat) | Free | Size & Walking; Large, working farm/zoo, meaning sparse animal viewing between areas. | Largest elephant facility in the UK. Great farm animal section. |
| Drusillas Park (East Sussex) | BN26 5QS | Varies | Varies | Member | @drusillaspark | @drusillaspark | Good (Mostly Flat) | Free | Focuses on smaller animals which can be harder to spot than large mammals. | Excellent balance of a small zoo and theme park. Highly rated for families. |
| Peak Wildlife Park (Staffordshire) | ST13 7QR | £18.95 | £16.95 | Member | @peakwildlifepark | @peakwildlifepark | Good (Mostly Flat) | Free | Small Scale; Fewer very large species (no elephants/rhinos). Park can be explored quickly. | Focuses on walk-through exhibits offering excellent, close animal encounters. |
UK Zoo and Aquarium Social Media Links
Top Zoo, Sanctuary, and Exotic Animal TikTok Accounts
| Rank | Account Name (Handle) | Type | Followers | Total Likes | Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyle Thomas (@kylethomas) | Exotic Influencer | ~35 Million | 1 Billion+ | UK-based personality featuring rescued exotic pets and high-production content. |
| 2 | Kody Antle (@kodyantle) | Exotic Influencer | ~22 Million | 297 Million+ | Features large exotic cats and animals from the Myrtle Beach Safari. |
| 3 | The Reptile Zoo (@thereptilezoo) | Official Zoo/Reptile | 11.6 Million | N/A | One of the largest dedicated zoo accounts globally, focused on unique reptiles. |
| 4 | San Diego Zoo (@sandiegozoo) | Official Major Zoo | 5.5 Million | 105 Million+ | One of the world's most famous official zoo accounts, focusing on conservation and unique animals. |
| 5 | Girl With The Dogs (@girlwithedogs) | Animal Service | 5.5 Million | N/A | High-visibility account featuring dog grooming transformations (animal-adjacent, high visibility). |
| 6 | Alyssa Barry (@alyssasanimalsanctuary) | Sanctuary/Rescue | 3.9 Million | N/A | Features rescued animals in a sanctuary setting. |
| 7 | Juniper & Friends (@juniperfoxx) | Sanctuary/Wildlife | 3.9 Million | N/A | Rescued wildlife sanctuary (foxes, skunks, raccoons, etc.). |
| 8 | The Pet Collective (@thepetcollective) | Animal Content Hub | 3.1 Million | N/A | Aggregated viral animal content. |
| 9 | Save A Fox Rescue (@saveafox.rescue) | Sanctuary/Rescue | 2.9 Million | N/A | Dedicated account for fox rescue and rehabilitation. |
| 10 | Urban Rescue Ranch (@ostrichplug) | Exotic Animal Influencer | ~2.5 Million | N/A | High-engagement account featuring unusual exotic animals (e.g., ostriches). |
| 11 | Oregon Zoo (@oregonzoo) | Official US Zoo | 2.0 Million | 40 Million+ | Official zoo account known for fun animal snacking videos and conservation stories. |
| 12 | SPARTN (@spider\_monkey\_rescue) | Primate Sanctuary | 1.6 Million | N/A | Small primate rescue in Tennessee, focusing on rehabilitation. |
| 13 | Best Friends Animal Society (@bestfriendsanimalsociety) | Official Sanctuary | 1.3 Million | N/A | The largest no-kill pet sanctuary in the US. |
| 14 | ZSL London Zoo (@londonzooofficial) | Official UK Zoo | 1.2 Million | 15 Million+ | Largest official zoo account in the UK. |
| 15 | Cincinnati Zoo (@cincinnatizoo) | Official US Zoo | ~900 Thousand | N/A | Famous for its charismatic animals (like Fiona the Hippo). |
| 16 | The Big Cat Sanctuary (@thebigcatsanctuary) | Official UK Sanctuary | 604 Thousand | N/A | UK-based conservation center for big cats. |
| 17 | ZSL Whipsnade Zoo (@whipsnadezoo) | Official UK Zoo | 560 Thousand | 9.5 Million+ | Features content from the UK's largest zoo by area. |
| 18 | Chester Zoo (@chesterzooofficial) | Official UK Zoo | 450 Thousand | 5.8 Million+ | Highly engaging UK zoo account focusing on conservation success. |
| 19 | Knowsley Safari (@knowsleysafari) | Official UK Safari | ~300 Thousand | N/A | Famous for its viral Sam the Lion video (though the original was posted by a visitor). |
| 20 | Australia Zoo (@australiazoo) | Official Zoo | ~250 Thousand | N/A | Home of the Irwin family and Wildlife Warriors. |
| 21 | Northumberland Zoo (@northumberlandzoo) | Official UK Zoo | 164 Thousand | N/A | Prominent smaller UK zoo account. |