Rare lemurs and giant Lego lions in new Chester Zoo plans

Conservationists at Chester Zoo have announced major plans for new habitats and their visitor experiences throughout the year.

The programme includes the arrival of previously unseen species at the zoo – from rare lemurs to mysterious fossas – the animals will inhabit the zoo’s major new Madagascar habitat when it opens to the public this Easter.

A spokesman for the zoo said: "Madagascar is home to stunning wildlife found nowhere else on Earth. Five percent of the worlds’ animal and plant species are only found on the island. The zoo’s Madagascar zone will bring wildlife conservation to life through detailed recreations of stunning forest habitats. Visitors will be able to recreate a conservationist’s expedition by walking among the lemurs."

The Madagascar exhibit will be followed by a new "expansive" habitat for the zoo's endangered Asiatic lions.

In autumn the specially designed area will be unveiled.

It is inspired by the Gir National Park region of India, which is home to the last surviving wild population Asiatic lions, with fewer than 500 left on the planet.

The new habitat will feature raised earth hilltop viewing points for the lions to survey their savannah, as well as heated rocks, a water hole and sandy beach area.

The multi-million pound investment in new animal habitats is part of a major long-term plan to transform the zoo into spectacular zones, inspired by the global regions where the zoo’s conservationists work.

Also opening in May will be a major 'predators' experience, which will see the arrival of huge animatronic hunters at the zoo.

Spanning 200 million years of history, the long-extinct mega-beasts include everything from dinosaurs to a giant bear and unimaginable sea creatures.

The first of the events will take place from February, and will be a specially created Lego: Big Cats exhibition.

They will trail through the zoo and reveal a pride of life-sized cat species, all made from Lego.

Made from thousands of Lego bricks, the models include animals specially constructed by master builders.

Jamie Christon, chief operating officer at Chester Zoo, said: “2019 is set to be a special year for us.

“The new animal habitats will help us to continue our world leading conservation work for the species in our care, from rare lemurs in Madagascar to endangered Asiatic lions.

“As an education charity, it is vital that we also continue to engage visitors in this mission. We hope to bring visitors closer to the animals than ever before by giving them the chance to walk with lemurs, taking an expedition right into the heart of the forest, just as you can do in the wilds of Madagascar.

"People will not forget this experience. By inspiring a life-long connection to wildlife, we hope to create the conservationists of the future.

“There are plenty more experiences to inspire learning and play in 2019. With more than 20,000 animals, you might think there’s little you can’t already see at Chester Zoo, but in 2019 we’ll also be bringing you life-sized animatronic re-creations of extinct predators, ranging across 200 million years of history.

“And before all this, the zoo will become over-run with Lego animals.

“We were humbled to greet more visitors in 2018 than at any time in Chester Zoo’s long history. Every person through our gates helps to prevent extinction by supporting our vital work as a conservation charity. We look forward to welcoming each and every visitor back again in 2019.”