Major openings planned for Chester Zoo in 2019
– Jamie Christon
Walking with ring-tailed lemurs and seeing endangered Asiatic lions in a specially-developed new habitat are among the new experiences planned for Chester Zoo in 2019, as it continues with its multi-year, multi-million-pound expansion masterplan.
The zoo has announced a number of new features set to debut this year, which include a new Madagascar zone from Q2 2019, with an immersive forest habitat where rare lemurs and the fossa – Madagascar’s largest carnivore – live. Visitors will be able to take an expedition through part of this forest, though presumably not that part inhabited by the fossa.
In Q3, an expansive new habitat for Chester Zoo’s Asiatic lions will open. This has been inspired by the dry forest and savannah habitats of Gir National Park in India – the only place in the world where Asiatic lions still range free, with fewer than 500 left in the wild. Chester Zoo is caring for these lions as part of a European endangered species breeding programme. Raised earth hilltop viewing points will give the lions the ability to survey their Savannah and there will be heated rocks, a water hole and a sandy beach area.
The investment 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. The developments are set to continue until 2030, and could also include a new restaurant and ride experiences.
Further temporary additions to the attractions at the zoo in 2019 are an exhibition of 12 life-sized big cats made from Lego, from mid-February until the end of April, and then from May to September there will be an exhibition of enormous, life-sized, animatronic predators, these being long extinct beasts spanning 200 million years of history, including dinosaurs, a giant bear and monsters of the deep.
Jamie Christon, chief operating officer at Chester Zoo, said that 2019 was set to be a special year, with the new habitats helping the zoo’s conservation work.
"As an educational 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," he said.
"People will not forget this experience. By inspiring a life-long connection to wildlife, we hope to create the conservationists of the future."
Chester Zoo is one of the UK’s largest zoos and one of the UK’s most visited tourist attractions outside London, attracting 1.9 million visitors in 2016. In 2017 it announced a £100m (US$129.1m, €113.6m) plan to redevelop 100 acres (405,000sq m) of its existing site into grassland and forest areas. In 2018 it drew more visitors than ever before but suffered a major fire in December 2018 that destroyed much of the roof covering its Monsoon Forest area.
zoo Chester Zoo Madagascar zone Asiatic lions habitat Lego big cats animatronic predators conservation
Money raised to support Chester Zoo following fire will be spent on conservation efforts
Fire-hit Chester Zoo begins fundraising after 'toughest day'
Exclusive: Chester Zoo MD details £100m redevelopment masterplan
Chester Zoo breaks UK attendance record as 1.9 million flock to attraction in 2016
Bas Smets brings water and wilderness to Vitra
'Data chocolate', dreams made real and artworks shaped by visitors’ emotions: Refik Anadol’s AI art museum launches in Los Angeles
London Museum reveals 2026 opening date for new Smithfield home
BIG unveils Eve Music Hall as Croatia venue nears completion
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Wellness care hospital opens in Vilnius with innovative spa and hospitality concept
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism investment.
For years, the corridor has been associated primarily with science, technology, housing and university-led economic growth. However, the clustering of large-scale visitor attraction projects along the
All-inclusive eco-wellness development Auko to open near Vietnam’s Son Doong caves
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
The attraction has transformed the aquarium’s Phelps Auditorium into a multi-sensory venue combining panoramic projection, environmental effects and interactive technology.
A new pre-show area allows visitors to engage with augmented reality marine animals before entering the
Mandarin Oriental announces standalone Mansions-branded residences for Abu Dhabi
MCR is planning a luxury hotel for London's BT Tower
Joy as a radical act: Yinka Ilori launches solo exhibition celebrating the rebellious power of spreading happiness
Work gets underway on Madrid's €800 million leisure complex
Work is underway in Madrid on one of Europe’s most significant multi-functional complexes, combining sport, entertainment, culture and education.
The €800 million initiative to regenerate the former Olympic Aquatic Centre in the north-east of the city, next to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium, is being led by Barsento – a joint venture between Live Nation Entertainment, Oak View Group and Atlético de Madrid. The project will
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Four Seasons’ Naples Beach Club opens 2,800sq m Sanctuary spa inspired by indigenous Calusa people
Orient Express Corinthian to host Ocean Rebirth wellness retreat in collaboration with Guerlain
Famed London nightclub, Tramp, launches Tramp Health
First look: Miraval opens on the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia
Hainan Science Museum by Ma Yansong, opens in China
A new science museum has opened to the public in Haikou after attracting more than 350,000 visitors during a four-month soft opening period.
Designed by Ma Yansong and his practice MAD Architects, the Hainan Science Museum is located on the edge of Wuyuan River National Wetland Park and has already recorded peak attendance of more than 5,800 visitors in a single day.
Commissioned by
Zannier Île De Bendor launches with design by Hardel Le Bihan Architectes
Sæl Spa readies for launch in London: “a modern British sanctuary”
Immersive art bathhouse Submersive announces debut location in Austin
Construction begins on regenerative wellness destination The Shenandoah Nature Resort
Royal Caribbean reveals record-breaking cruise ship
V&A East opens in London
David Geffen galleries open at LACMA
New venue The Lands by Capella includes a longevity centre to complement sister hotel Capella Sydney
World of Frozen launches at Disneyland Paris
Pical Resort by Valamar reveals first Croatian spa under the ESPA brand
Mandarin Oriental creates end-to-end Egyptian journey with two new hotels and first-ever luxury river cruise
Designed to restore neglected land and renew the identity of Iraq’s capital city, Baghdad Sustainable Forests promises a new way of living surrounded by nature. Gensler’s Ian Mulcahay tells us why he thinks the project could become a model for the repair and enhancement of urban centres
