Flamingos and macaques move in!

Flamingo Falls and Macaques on the Bank are officially open!

BBC WM Presenter Richie Anderson cut the ribbon to the redeveloped enclosures at the zoo entrance earlier today – after broadcasting his two-hour show live from the site.

Zoo Director Derek Grove, pictured above with Richie, said: “We’re delighted to unveil the new enclosures, which will benefit both our animals and our visitors.

“Not only do the animals have extended and improved enclosures, but this in turn provides visitors with a more interesting experience, as it gets them even closer to some of the rarest animals in the world.”

Costing £120,000 the new-look enlarged flamingo enclosure includes a running waterfall and a bigger den with a new internal pool, where visitors will be able to see our eight birds even when they’re off show outside due to inclement weather – just like today!

Meanwhile an unused hillside bank has been turned into a paddock for our critically-endangered Sulawesi crested macaques, with an adjacent former shop area transformed into internal dens for the primates. A walk-in viewing window allows visitors to see the macaques at close range when they’re indoors.

As part of the £40,000 project, the macaques will also rotate paddocks with the breeding group of gelada baboons in the neighbouring enclosure every few months, which enables both species the opportunity to explore a bigger area.

Derek added: “The two new developments form the first phase of our £200,000 plan to improve the lower part of the zoo site, which is the first section visitors see upon entering.

“All the work was carried out on schedule and it’s great we were able to open them in time for the Easter holidays.”

Focus will now turn to the final part of the revamp project, which will see the former Monkey Tails transformed into Lorikeet Lookout. Set to open at the end of May this will be an interactive walkthrough exhibit where visitors will be able to feed Australian rainbow lorikeets with pots of nectar. 

HUGE thanks to Richie Anderson and BBC WM 95.6FM for their fab coverage this morning …

We had a great time appearing on the show!

If you missed the programme you can listen again by CLICKING HERE.