For the first time in the zoo's 80-year history, visitors now have the rare opportunity to get nose to nose with ring-tailed lemurs and enjoy an up close and personal walk-through experience in Lemurland.

Managing director Laurence Smith said, "A large amount of feedback in recent years has indicated that our visitors would like to get closer to our animals.

"Naturally, the health and safety of our zoo residents and our customers is paramount, so such an enclosure raises a number of difficulties. However, after a great deal of planning and research we feel the final design achieves both objectives."

Created with the full involvement of zoo manager Sue Woodgate and overseen by estate manager Peter Moon, Lemurland houses two heated indoor rooms, a large outdoor area and even has a moat.

Imaginative planting, branching and ropes have all been introduced to create an exciting surrounding for the lemurs, as well as bringing a touch of their native land of Madagascar to the Park.

Amongst the inhabitants of Lemurland is Tony, who was part of the existing group at Drusillas, Ringo and Timmy from Chessington World of Adventures, Mehki, William and Scar from Colchester Zoo, Stumpy and Derek from Coombe Martin Wildlife Park and Lee from Flamingo Land in Yorkshire.

All the lemurs bonded quickly during their initial introductions and have settled exceptionally well together within their new environment.

Lemurland is now open everyday, with a member of staff on hand to answer any questions regarding this beautiful and vulnerable species.