Newquay Zoo unveils plans for new habitats and immersive visitor experiences

Newquay Zoo says it is entering a new phase of development, with new habitats, immersive visitor experiences and major changes beginning to take shape across the site.

Visitors arriving this summer will start to see the first signs of the transformation, as the zoo evolves into what it describes as a more immersive destination focused on exploration, discovery and closer encounters with wildlife.

One of the first major changes will be a new Savannah route running through part of the zoo. The attraction says the route has been designed to create new viewpoints and closer encounters with animals. New habitats are also being developed for species including meerkats, porcupines and turaco, alongside planned new arrivals such as the caracal.

Earlier this year Dutch leisure group Libéma took over operations of Newquay Zoo and Paignton Zoo from Wild Planet Trust. The company operates four zoos in the Netherlands and says it is committed to conservation, education and animal welfare.

Steven van den Heuvel, Transition Manager for Newquay Zoo, said: "This is the beginning of a really exciting new phase for Newquay Zoo.

"We want visitors to feel like they are stepping into new worlds, rather than simply viewing animals from a distance. The new Savannah route is one of the first visible examples of that direction, creating a much more immersive experience as visitors move through the zoo."

Work is also continuing on a new Madagascar-themed area behind the scenes. Plans include a walkthrough habitat with free-roaming lemurs and a nocturnal environment inspired by Madagascar after dark, which will eventually become the future home of the aye-aye.

The rare primate recently arrived at sister site Paignton Zoo, where it is being housed temporarily ahead of its planned move to Newquay.

Mr van den Heuvel added: "The aye-aye is such an unusual species, and people are immediately fascinated by it.

"It feels like the perfect animal to introduce this new direction for the zoo. We're starting to create spaces that feel more immersive and natural, both for the animals and the people visiting them."

The zoo says plans for the next phase of the Savannah development are already being explored, including early designs for a future giraffe habitat.