CHESTER Zoo's impressive new Islands exhibition opened its doors to the public today.
Senior reporter Emma Rigby was part of the media group given a preview of what visitors can expect to discover...
WALKING around Chester Zoo's new £40 million Islands zone, you could be forgiven for mistaking it for South East Asia's Rainforests.
Even with the weather aside, Islands is a breathtaking, interactive experience which really educates visitors about the dangers faced by the animals that now call it home.
Phase one of Islands - the largest development in UK zoo history - opened to the public today, Monday, and while there are still some finishing touches to be made, you really get a sense of the passion and dedication that has gone in to creating it.
Islands brings conservation to life through detailed recreations of habitats in South East Asia in what has been dubbed one of the most ambitious zoo expansions ever in Europe.
Visitors set off on their own expedition, walking over bridges, travelling in boats and seeing buildings that are architecturally identical to those found on the islands of Panay, Papua, Bali, Sumba and Sulawesi.
The first phase of the £40m development puts a spotlight on highly threatened, yet often unheralded species, such as the critically endangered Visayan warty pig, banteng and lowland anoa, as well as the prehistoric-looking cassowary.
Already in place are the warty pigs and the cossowary - of which we were given an exclusive first look at when they ventured out into their new enclosure for the first time.
The lowland anoa and banteng will soon be moved into Islands, with the Sumatran tigers and orangutan due to the move in the coming weeks.
Islands also features a beach, a 15-minute long Lazy River Boat Trip - more on that later - school house, street kitchen and play area.
Chester Zoo's director general Dr Mark Pilgrim was on hand to give the media a real insight into the ideas behind Islands, explaining how each section has its own part to play in creating a world-class experience for all ages.
Tamika the Cossowary takes her first steps in her new enclosure. Picture by Emma Rigby.
He said: "Islands is a real game-changer for zoos in the UK - a very different zoo experience to anything else that has been done before.
"This isn't just about viewing animals in enclosures, it's about giving people a sense of the environments they live in - the sounds, the smells, the people, the colour and culture of far-flung islands in South East Asia.
"Every element has been crafted with great attention to detail, right down to the hundreds of genuine artefacts that have been shipped over from Indonesia, the carvings in the buildings and the thatches on the roofs."
Lowland anoa will soon be making Islands their new home. Picture by Emma Rigby.
More than 300 new jobs have been created as part of the development, including 45 new positions and 256 seasonal staff.
Dr Pilgrim added: "This has been five years in the making and, not only have we created a first class attraction for people to come and visit, we hope that Islands will put a huge spotlight on South East Asia and the conservation projects we're involved with in the region.
"It's a real biodiversity hotspot, home to many endangered animal and plant species, and importantly it will not only showcase the threats these species face but give visitors an opportunity to make a difference too.
"Islands is a new chapter in the zoo's history - it's the first time a UK zoo has attempted anything on this scale - and we can't wait to start showing off phase one of the project before more and more areas open up ready to be explored later in the summer."
WATCH: Director general Dr Mark Pilgrim on Islands...
Islands spans 14 acres and is included in your ordinary admission fee.
But for those who may be tired out from walking around the rest of the zoo, or perhaps have young children, the Lazy River Boat Trip is a perfect way to take in the sights.
The 15-minute ride sees you get an upclose look at the warty pig and banteng enclosures and - once in place - will give you a fantastic view of the sumatran tigers.
- For more information, and to buy tickets, visit chesterzoo.org/islands
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