Construction has reached a key milestone at Twycross Zoo as the building frame of its £25m Global Conservation Centre completes.
Due to open in 2027, the facility is set to become a world-first hub for conservation research, education, and collaboration, strengthening Twycross Zoo’s role as a UK charity dedicated to protecting endangered species.
The centre has received £18m from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, the largest single Government grant ever awarded to a UK zoo, and is being built by Henry Brothers Construction in partnership with Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council and UK universities.
Craig Dunkerley, CEO of Twycross Zoo, said: “Reaching this stage of the Global Conservation Centre is a landmark moment for Twycross Zoo.
“This isn’t just about bricks and mortar, it’s about the bold future we are building for wildlife, and the extraordinary opportunities it will create for scientists, students, and conservationists to work together to protect endangered species.
“The centre embodies our vision to inspire the next generation of wildlife heroes and make a lasting impact on global conservation.”
Ian Taylor, MD at Henry Brothers Construction, said: “We are very proud to be delivering the Global Conservation Centre at Twycross Zoo.
“The topping out of the orangutan building marks a milestone in the construction of this exciting development which will also feature a two-storey building with lecture theatre, research and teaching spaces, and a science lab, along with a two-storey residential facility.
“The Henry Brothers team is thrilled to be working with our partners on a world-class project that will make a game-changing contribution to the fight against extinction for endangered wildlife and we are looking forward to progressing with the other elements of this state-of-the-art scheme.”
Once complete, the Global Conservation Centre will feature a 200-seat lecture theatre, classrooms, wildlife gardens, and a science lab overlooking a new Bornean orangutan habitat. A 24-bedroom residential wing will host visiting experts and students, helping train the next generation of conservation leaders.
Dr Rebecca Biddle, chief conservation officer at Twycross Zoo and vice chair of EAZA, said: “This facility will allow scientists, educators, and conservationists from across the globe to work alongside the species we are striving to protect, developing practical solutions for some of the world’s most threatened wildlife.
“By connecting our research and education programmes with the new Indonesian-themed land, including a world-class orangutan habitat, the centre will offer unparalleled opportunities to learn, collaborate, and act for conservation.”
The project will also benefit the local community, creating 90 new jobs and generating an estimated £3.9m in GVA per year.
