FROM feeding goats to petting Brazilian racoons, visitors to Essex's newest zoo are able to get a true hands on experience as soon as they walk through the gates at Tropical Wings.
Having previously housed only butterflies, insects and fish the zoo is now home to hundreds of creatures from giant tortoises to White Ruffed lemurs – many of which are endangered in the wild.
And if the unpredictable British weather might put you off spending an afternoon outdoors the recently renovated cafe and visitors centre offer an escape from the elements where you can enjoy a hot drink or discover more about the animals you're visiting.
The zoo have also brought in a number of new and highly experienced keepers from other animal collections around the country, who work around the clock ensuring the animals are happy and healthy.
Rona Strong, from Tropical Wings, said: "Well trained and qualified animal keepers and education officers work closely together to make sure that we offer the highest standards of animal care and to deliver effective conservation education to all our visitors.
" To accomplish this, we offer many daily scheduled keeper talks, feeding sessions and demonstrations in order to inform the public as to the many ways in which we can all contribute to conservation – whether it is on an international level – or closer to home."
And the zoo is hoping their new animals will thrive with a specialist breeding programme.
Mrs Strong, added: "We've had great breeding results this year with the ring-tailed coatis (Nasua Nasua) from South America. Our two young females both gave birth and between them were raising six babies, Katie Bean – head of mammals – noticed that one of the mums was struggling with her new large family as she was taking on all the babies herself.
"To give these babies the best chance we decided to take two youngsters away and hand rear them to reduce the numbers for this nursing mum. Katie took on this mothering role and what you see in the photo is Coco and Tilly, two very healthy mischievous girls with Katie their human mum."
Tropical Wings is at Wickford Road, South Woodham and is open every day from 9am to 5.30pm.
Adult tickets are priced £8.95 and child tickets are £6.25, a range of family discounted tickets are also available.
