Bristol Zoo Gardens in the UK is moving ahead with plans to create a 136-acre zoological park close to the Cribbs Causeway shopping mall.

Zoo director, Jo Gibbs, has confirmed that fundraising efforts are underway for the project, which reports suggest will cost £20m. There are hopes that it will attract 400,000 visitors a year, enticing people in from the nearby mall.

The complex will be themed around the habitats of particular species and the issue of conservation, rather than around the animals themselves, and there will be a strong emphasis on the educational aspect of the attraction. Zoo spokeswoman, Heather Holvey told the Bristol Evening Post that: 'We are working on a broad-based exhibit, so we're not at a stage of excluding or including any animals or species.'

The development follows on from the success of the at-Bristol science and wildlife centre, which takes a more high-tech, interactive and informative approach to exhibits than that often seen in traditional zoos.

Bristol Zoo has planning permission to open the attraction at its Almondsbury site, but needs South Gloucestershire Council's approval for traffic arrangements and the style of buildings. The plan is to open the new eco zoo in three phases over the next decade, with the first £20m phase planned to debut within three years.

Bristol Zoo Gardens, which attracts 650,000 visitors annually, will stay open.