A NEW reptile and amphibian enclosure has been unveiled at the Lakeland Wildlife Oasis, at Hale, near Milnthorpe, ahead of half term.

Staff have spent the winter building plush new facilities for frogs, salamanders, snakes and lizards. It is phase one of a major redevelopment and refurbishment of key collections. Huge bay windows and natural environmental design provide much better viewing for visitors.

Zoo manager Jack Williams said: “Animal welfare is at the forefront of everything we do. This new development provides not only the best facilities for our reptiles, but gives the public a more captivating and educational experience too. Increased visitor numbers, last year, means we can put profits back into enhancing environments across the zoo. This really backs up all we stand for."

The improved facilities will enable the zoo to expand its training programme for volunteers and work experience students from colleges across Cumbria and Lancashire.

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This time of year you might get tempted to do a bit of spring cleaning, or even DIY home improvement. Not satisfied with just a new lick of paint, staff at the Lakeland Wildlife Oasis have spent the winter building plush new facilities for some of their most intriguing residents.

The “little zoo with lots to do”, on the A6 near Milnthorpe, has earned many plaudits for its focus on animal welfare, conservation, visitor experience and education.

Now its sizeable reptile and amphibian collection can bask in lizard-ly luxury in their new purpose designed wing: ‘The New Prehistoric’. With a grand opening on Saturday February 16th, lucky half term visitors will experience phase one of a major redevelopment and refurbishment of key collections.

Using innovative state of the art technology, the new enclosures will enhance the welfare of some of the zoo’s most weird and wonderful inhabitants, including frogs, salamanders, snakes and lizards; not forgetting Speedy the tortoise, the zoo’s oldest resident at nearly fifty years old!

Huge bay windows and natural environmental design provide much better viewing for visitors, and in a zoo famed for being ‘hands on’, new interactive touch screens give budding naturalists exciting opportunities to investigate and discover.

Zoo manager Jack Williams says; “Animal welfare is at the forefront of everything we do. This new development provides not only the best facilities for our reptiles, but gives the public a more captivating and educational experience too. Increased visitor numbers, last year, means we can put profits back into enhancing environments across the zoo. This really backs up all we stand for, and we’re very grateful.”

Animal keepers are already appreciating the improved facilities, which will enable the zoo to expand its training programme for volunteers and work experience students from colleges across Lancashire and Cumbria.

Jack adds “We’re delighted to unveil this major exhibit in time for half term. Special events include an interactive ‘Carboniferous Touch Table’, where visitors can learn how 200 million years ago, the ancestors of our reptiles and amphibians ruled the land! Six animal keeper talks a day include the opportunity to get up close and hands on with our reptiles and invertebrates, and of course Christal, our gorgeous snow leopard cub, will remain at the zoo throughout 2019. The RSPB will also be joining us.”

You can let your little monsters roam wild in ‘The New Prehistoric’ at Lakeland Wildlife Oasis 7 days a week, 10am til 5pm. To keep up with all their amazing animals and upcoming events, go to www.wildlifeoasis.co.uk, and check out ‘Lakeland Wildlife Oasis’ on Facebook for daily updates and pictures.