During the Planet Zoo 2 Zoological Summit which took place on Saturday 12 September, Cambridge-based gaming studio Frontier Developments announced a new and exciting partnership with the charity supporting good zoos and aquariums in the UK and Ireland. A new collaboration with BIAZA, the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums, reflects shared ambitions to celebrate the very best of zoos and aquariums, including habitat design, animal welfare and conservation.
The partnership was announced at a special first hands-on event for the game held at Chester Zoo, the Planet Zoo 2 Zoological Summit, which saw players learn more about how the new game reflects the real-world conservation expertise seen at BIAZA accredited venues.
Gareth Hughes, Planet Zoo 2 Game Director said: "This is a brilliant collaboration between the virtual and real worlds, where we have a charity leading the way for zoos and aquariums, and a game which gives players the chance to express their creativity and design the zoo of their dreams. As a game, we are incredibly mindful of how we represent animal standards and welfare, and collaborating with BIAZA allows us to ensure our research is backed by modern practices and encourages thoughtful play. We can't wait to see how the game will continue to support global conservation."
Through its accreditation programme, BIAZA sets the highest standards for zoos and aquariums to create a better planet for animals and for people. Together, BIAZA members took part in 1048 conservation projects, 1670 research projects and welcomed over 31 million visitors in 2025. Projects making a difference include:
- Chester Zoo is undertaking ground-breaking research into a deadly disease impacting elephants across the world. It is hoped this pioneering research will lead to a vaccine that can protect elephants from the disease.
- The reintroduction of two of the world's rarest horses, the Przewalskis wild horse, in Kazakhstan. The entire species was once extinct in the wild and saved from extinction by zoos. The two horses in this instance were Shara and Togs and were born at Hampshire's Marwell Wildlife.
- BIAZA members take part in the 300 international conservation breeding programmes, recent successes include Ireland's only Indian Rhino infant born at Fota Wildlife Park, and endangered black and white ruffed lemurs born at Scotland's Blair Drummond Safari Park
- Close to home, good zoos and aquariums are helping to conserve native species. Seven zoos and safari parks have collaborated with BIAZA to save the rare glutinous snail from extinction. The tiny glittering snail was once abundant across England but now only found in one pool in Wales. Aquariums such as The Deep are conserving native species such as the tiny crystal moss animal.
- Implementation of sign language across talks and educational signage at Dublin Zoo - opening up the world of wonderous nature - for species such as gorillas and sea lions - to a whole new audience.
BIAZA's Communications and Public Affairs Manager Andy Hall welcomed the collaboration: "As a player of Planet Zoo, I'm very excited that players will get a better understanding of the multi-faceted work of zoos and aquariums than ever before in Planet Zoo 2. In this virtual world we will can see that conservation isn't as a simple as releasing animals out into the wild, but about addressing the causes of extinction - climate change, agriculture, pollution, over-fishing and much more. I am excited to work with Frontier and to see the countless creative ways of exploring the natural world and how we look after it."
Planet Zoo 2 introduces new awe-inspiring animals, plus, for the first time, aviaries and aquariums! Zookeepers are tasked with constructing beautiful habitats where authentic species can fully interact with their environments. What's more, players can now take conservation outside of their zoos, restoring natural habitats and releasing animals into Wildlife Reserves. Planet Zoo 2 is set to launch on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on 13 October 2026.