Plans have been announced to build a new £70m world wildlife reserve in Bristol, south-west England.

The proposed 55-hectare National Wildlife Conservation Park (NWCP) will be situated on the outskirts of the city, and is scheduled to open in 2012 providing the "first conservation-led visitor attraction of its kind in the UK."

Bristol Zoo Gardens, which is behind the plans, hopes to "establish a more influential position in the global conservation movement" with exhibits closely linked with specific ecosystems from across the world.

The park will be divided into individual areas based upon extensive research into regions in the world with high conservation needs. When complete, visitors will be able to visit specific exhibit areas depicting areas such as the Sumatran Rainforest and Indian Ocean Coral Reef, and observe a wide range of animals such as tigers, black tip sharks and brown bears in their natural habitat.

Director of Bristol Zoo Gardens, Dr Jo Gipps, said: "Stepping through the gates of the Park, visitors will be transported from the normality of the Gloucestershire countryside to an amazing world of wildlife. Visitors will feel immersed in ecosystems from all over the world, engaged in active conservation programmes."

Planning permission is already in place for the development of the site as a zoological park, but discharges of conditions are still required for some of the development. Once work begins, it will be conducted in phases, with the 'Base Phase' describing the elements of the NWCP that will open when it launches in 2012. Additional areas, including a Tanzanian Savannah exhibit, will be developed over a 15-20 year period following the initial date.

The park's development has already received the support of the South West of England Regional Development Agency, which has provided a grant of £1.5m for the project. It is hoped the rest of the £70m project will be financed through donations from both individuals and organisations.