The Welsh Mountain Zoo’s £1 million development of its snow leopard enclosure is at its halfway stage with foundations in place and the elevated walkway unveiled.
Bodelwyddan contractor Wynne Construction is managing works at the Silk Road development that includes a complete redesign of the existing enclosure, to become a representation of the mountainous regions in which this endangered species lives.
It is designed to offer visitors a nose to nose visual experience through glass, as well as offering the snow leopards a better home.
The site will open at the start of May.
Jen Jesse, director of operations and administration at the Welsh Mountain Zoo, said: “It’s great to hit this first milestone and see the foundations set for one of our most exciting developments to date.
“You can really begin to visualise the potential of the project now and understand how the journey will evolve from both within the enclosure and the wider, surrounding environment.
“The project is on schedule and we are in close contact with the team at Wynne who are working carefully, causing minimal disruption to visitors.
“We’re incredibly excited to see this latest phase of important progress and are looking forward to the great unveiling later this year when Silk Road will be officially opened to the public.”
Simon Moreton, of Wynne Construction, Bodelwyddan, previously said: “We are delighted to be working with The Welsh Mountain Zoo to deliver their ‘Silk Road’ project vision.
“As a local contractor, it is hugely important to us to employ a local workforce and supply chain, and contribute towards economic growth and sustainability via this scheme.”
