Visitors to Chester Zoo will soon be navigating their way through swamps, mangroves, bamboos and tropical forests as part of a planned £30m redevelopment.
An unoccupied part of the estate will be transformed into replicas of the islands of the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Bali, Sumatra, Sumba and Sulawesi and linked with a series of bridges and one journey on water.
It will be home to indigenous animals, including new species of crocodile, Sumatran tigers, Sulawesi macaques and Indonesian rhinoceros hornbills.
The redevelopment will also create an Indonesian jungle house - which will be the largest indoor zoo exhibit in the UK and home to orangutans - as well as retail and catering units.
Director general of the zoo, Dr Mark Pilgrim, says the ambitious scheme will offer an unparalleled experience. “For many of our visitors, taking a trip to these islands is just a dream. But we will be making those dreams a reality, transporting our visitors thousands of miles away,” he says. “The sights, smells and colours of nature and culture of these islands will be brought to life in all their glory.”
Designed by German architects, Dan Pearlman, the project will feature the local architecture and vegetation. Work is expected to start in the new year, with the entire zone open by Easter 2015.
