Belfast Zoo will reopen to the public this weekend, and will be showing off its new "lockdown babies," including a giraffe, a pudu and two wildcats.
The public can visit the zoo, which has new safety measures to protect visitors, and staff, from Sunday July 5. Tickets now must be pre-booked in advance via a telephone booking system.
Zoo staff are reminding members of the public that the visitor experience will be different than before, with most of the indoor animal houses to be closed initially. This decision will remain under review.
The zoo café will be offering a takeaway service only. Other measures in place include limiting the number of daily visitors, a one-way system and social distancing signage, as well as hand sanitiser stations and protective screens at all public contact points.
Belfast Zoo manager Alyn Cairns said: “While the experience will be a bit different for visitors, we are confident that there will still be plenty for people to see on their outdoor trek of the zoo.
"This will include the zoo’s newest residents born during lockdown. Among them is Ronan, an endangered Rothschild's giraffe calf, a Southern pudu and two Scottish wildcat kittens.”
He added: “Although the zoo has been closed to the public, it has been business as usual for the animal welfare team who have been working round the clock to care for the animals, and get ready for the zoo to welcome back visitors in a safe way.
"We are delighted to be able to open our gates again and would ask the public to please show patience and understanding when booking their tickets and visiting while these necessary measures are in place.
“I know the animals will also be looking forward to seeing some new faces.”
