Norfolk's biggest zoo has unveiled more details of its controversial plans to shift its focus from exotic animals to species from the British Isles.
Banham Zoo - which is known for its vast collection of overseas creatures - wants to create new features to showcase wildlife from much closer to home.
Under the proposals - which have been criticised by some supporters for undermining the site's traditional appeal - it is hoping to create a new Native Haven of British Isles Trail, to highlight the plight of endangered insects and native flowers.
The attraction, near Attleborough, says the changes are partly in response to challenges created by Brexit - which has made it harder to bring in animals from abroad - and avian influenza, which has forced it to rethink what bird displays it can offer.
Under the 10 year, multi-million-pound project, it says it plans to retain its international species, including tigers, seals, and lemurs.
But it believes the greater focus on native wildlife can help it become more of a year-round attraction, with better facilities for research.
Claudia Roberts, chief executive of the Zoological Society of East Anglia (ZSEA), which runs the zoo, said: "It is essential to act now in response to the climate and biodiversity crisis impacting our planet, and our vision for Banham Zoo will do just that.
"Our plan is bold and ambitious, but I believe it is essential. We need to create an immersive environment which inspires and educates, where science in action becomes a relatable experience.
“It is vital we create a space to learn in a fun and immersive way to truly understand the importance of both conservation on our doorstop and the wonders of the nature and biodiversity of the British Isles, as well as being able to relate these to international conservation.”
Utilising unused spaces on the 50-acre site, the proposals would see the new Native Haven of British Isles Trail created around the currently unused outer perimeter.
Among the features on the trail will be a temperate Celtic rainforest, an underground centre where technology will be used to create an immersive experience, a nocturnal breeding programme, a forest bug school in the trees, and a 'Garden of Eden' focusing on endangered invertebrates and native flowers.
There will also be a skills and research hub linked to local educational institutions.
READ MORE: To read more of the EDP's coverage of sustainability click here
READ MORE: Banham Zoo's Amur tiger Kuzma dies but leaves Norfolk legacy
The haven attraction has been designed by sustainability company Tate + Co. Laurence Pinn, from the firm, said: “Our practice is dedicated to creating buildings and structures that work with nature and support biodiversity. The built environment does not have to work at odds to the natural world. Instead, we should be creating places and spaces with a long-term sustainable vision, which is something that ZSEA values.”
The ZSEA has also included in the plans a vision that will see Banham Zoo becoming self-reliant when it comes to energy and sustainability.
It wants to introduce a bus service and promote links to walking and cycling routes, to reduce car travel.
Designs for a new children’s play area have also been completed.
Plans to introduce some of the proposed ideas would begin in the autumn, and, if funding was secured, those visions could be realised over the next ten years.
The charity is seeking to secure more funding and has so far been awarded £1,328,786 from the Zoo Animal Fund and £95,300 from the Green recovery Challenge Fund.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here