Newquay Zoo delighted to welcome back visitors

Newquay Zoo is thrilled that they will be re-opening their gates to guests on Monday 12th April after being closed for a third time during the coronavirus pandemic since 5th January.

The zoo will initially open to Members on the first two days, and will then re-open fully to everyone. The numbers of guests will be limited each day, and all guests will be required to book an entry time slot, including Members, before they visit. This can be done on-line through the website – www.newquayzoo.org.uk. All of the indoor animal houses will, sadly, remain closed in order to comply with Government guidelines. In addition, the following safety measures will be in place:

  • Protective screening at contact points. This includes the admission desks, food outlets and shop
  • Card payments are preferred
  • Hand sanitiser points around the zoos
  • Regular cleaning will be carried out around the zoos
  • Signage around the zoos to remind guests and staff of social distancing and handwashing guidelines
  • Suggested one-way routes around the sites
  • No feeding times or keepers’ talks to prevent gathering of crowds
  • No face painting

The cafe will be offering a takeaway service only. Other food outlets will be open around the zoo

While the zoo has been closed, the team has been busy making improvements to lots of areas of the site. Many of the enclosures have been spruced up with fresh sand, wood chippings, extra cladding on indoor houses and some have even had new wooden platforms built as a form of enrichment. The Gardens Team have been busy tidying up and planting new areas of the zoo including the newly formed Nearby Nature garden, formerly known as the World War Garden. Newquay Zoo also enlisted the help of local artist, Emily Donald, to give the perimeter gate a makeover which incorporates some of the most iconic and endangered species at the zoo, as well as flowers and plants to highlight the sub-tropical gardens.

In addition, the zoo have welcomed some exciting new arrivals. Two Critically Endangered Visayan warty pigs arrived in February from Yorkshire Wildlife Park and Bristol Zoo, and in a bit of a baby boom a Philippine spotted deer, a slender loris and a Goeldi’s monkey have been born.

For more information about how to book and the safety measures that Newquay Zoo has put in place, please visit click here.

Newquay Zoo is part of Wild Planet Trust. They are both registered charities striving to conserve species and habitats, and to inspire and empower people to help in the fight to protect wildlife. For more information visit www.newquayzoo.org.uk and www.wildplanettrust.org.uk.