The frame for the £25m Global Conservation Centre at Twycross Zoo has been completed marking a major milestone in the creation of this pioneering building.

Due to open in 2027, it will become a world-first hub for conservation research, education, and collaboration.

The centre has received £18million from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, the largest single Government grant ever awarded to a UK zoo.

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.”

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, 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.”

Designed with sustainability at its heart, the project will also benefit the local community, creating 90 new jobs and generating an estimated £3.9 million in GVA per year.

A topping out ceremony took place on October 29 to celebrate this landmark achievement. 

Find out more about the Global Conservation Centre and Twycross Zoo’s conservation work, visit twycrosszoo.org