wienerberger Supports Chester Zoo’s Groundbreaking Heart of Africa with Eco-habitat and Materials Donations

At wienerberger, our commitment to sustainability and biodiversity goes beyond products and our own sites — it’s about building partnerships that shape a better future. That’s why we are proud to announce our latest contribution to one of the UK’s most ambitious conservation initiatives: Chester Zoo’s new Heart of Africa.

Chester Zoo is known for creating extraordinary wildlife experiences while championing global conservation efforts, and it is set to reach new heights with the launch of its Heart of Africa zone. Opening to the public on Saturday, 5 April, it is the largest habitat ever created at a UK zoo, spanning an incredible 22.5 acres — equivalent to 17 football pitches. Carefully crafted to replicate the vast grasslands of central Africa, this new exhibit showcases 57 iconic African species, including giraffes, zebras, and meerkats. It also brings several exciting new attractions to the zoo, enhancing the visitor experience.

To support the creation of Heart of Africa, wienerberger has donated 15 tonnes of locally sourced sandstone from our Mouselow Quarry in Glossop to help shape the visitor areas within this spectacular environment.

In addition, we’ve provided a variety of nesting and roosting boxes from our eco-habitat range to enhance biodiversity and provide vital shelter for birds and bats. The boxes include bat boxes and bird boxes covering several species including swifts, swallows and sparrows. These eco-habitats provide vital support for native UK species within the zoo's grounds and together with the zoo, we will actively monitor and maintain these habitats to ensure their success.

Jamie Christon, CEO at Chester Zoo, said: “Heart of Africa is the largest and most ambitious zoo development ever undertaken in the UK. Introducing such a diverse range of species into one shared habitat is a first for us. We want visitors to feel fully immersed in the sights and sounds of the African savannah, and to bring this vision to life, our expert teams have planted over 6,000 trees, shrubs, and grasses, while also welcoming many species to the zoo for the first time. It’s the most complex habitat we’ve ever created, and we can’t wait to invite visitors into this extraordinary new space.”

This collaboration builds on wienerberger’s previous support for Chester Zoo, including the donation of 600 tonnes of sandstone for the construction of the Snow Leopard enclosure in 2024.  

Our partnership with Chester Zoo is rooted in a mutual dedication to conservation, sustainability, and education. By supplying materials and products for key projects like Heart of Africa, wienerberger supports Chester Zoo’s mission to inspire and empower people to protect the natural world. Our contribution to this new space will help elevate visitor experiences and therefore support Chester Zoo in their ambition to invest in key conservation projects across Africa. 

By supporting this development, wienerberger is investing in a shared future where both people and nature can thrive. As our ‘Let’s Build Beyond’ sustainability strategy outlines, it is only through strong, purpose-driven partnerships that we can create a nature-positive, net-zero future.

We look forward to continuing our work with Chester Zoo as they inspire millions of visitors each year to take action for wildlife, in the UK and around the world.