2021 Highlights
With the New Year fast approaching, we wanted to take a moment say thank you to our loyal followers and visitors who’ve joined us at the zoo. 2021 has been a busy one for us here at Ponderosa Zoo and it seems like the perfect opportunity to reflect one of our busiest years yet and share some of our highlights…
Lemur Lookout
Thinking back to the start of 2021, our hardworking team brushed off the January Blues by building Lemur Lookout, a purpose-built enclosure for our Black and White Ruffed Lemurs and Ring-tailed Lemurs. The new enclosure was the first of its kind here at the zoo, providing visitors with unprecedented access to our Lemurs, and helping to raise awareness of the conservation effort of our charity partners. We think you’ll agree that our Lemurs have settled in well to their new home!
Nocturnal House
As autumn rolled around, our team got to work on converting our Bunny Barn to a brand new Nocturnal House! The new enclosure houses some of our newer nocturnal animals, including Dobby the Kinkajou, Dave and Linda our Malagasy Giant Jumping Rats, the largest rodent species native to Madagascar, and our Cairo Spiny Mice, native to northern Africa.
New Animals
Not only have we spent the last year investing in new homes for our existing animals, we have also welcomed some new faces to Ponderosa Zoo. Our Red-fronted Brown Lemurs Luke, Thistle, Mable and Oswald joined us earlier this year, located next to our two African Spur Thighed Tortoise, George and Savannah who moved to their outdoor enclosure from the Bunny Barn.
Jam-Packed Events Calendar
Despite another lockdown early on in the year, we managed to fit in a jam-packed schedule of Keeper Talks, Animal Encounters and Seasonal Events throughout 2021. This summer, we welcomed back the ever-popular Crafty Devilz, giving our visitors the chance to learn some cool circus tricks and in October Half Term, our visitors got creative with pumpkin painting. On Bonfire Night, we welcomed 2,000 visitors for a silent firework display. The sensory fireworks meant our animals remained safe and comfortable, despite the late night!
New Website
Earlier this year, we were pleased to unveil our brand-new website. The new site gives you, our visitors, the opportunity to delve deeper into interesting facts and highlights about our 140 animals at the zoo. With zoo updates posted regularly, it’s an easy way to keep up to date with all things at the zoo.
BIAZA Members
To top off the year, we were thrilled to receive the fantastic news that we had been granted full BIAZA membership! BIAZA, the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums is the professional body representing the very best zoos and aquariums. It is something our team have been working hard towards for the past few years, so to be recognised for our achievements is a huge privilege, and we would like to give a huge thank you to all involved.
To give our lovely team a well-deserved rest, we would like to advise that the zoo will be closed from Friday 24th December until Monday 27th December, and Friday 31st December to Monday 3rd January.
From all of us here at Ponderosa Zoo, we would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. We can’t wait to welcome you back to the zoo in 2022, with lots of exciting plans bubbling away, there will be plenty to keep all the family entertained!
Maps & Guides
Planning a visit to Ponderosa Zoo? Why not familiarise yourself with our handy map before your day out.
Zoo – 01924 235276 / office@ponderosa-centre.co.uk
Lakeside Restaurant – 01924 404604 / lakeside@ponderosa-lakeside.co.uk
Day Care – 01924 404154
Ponderosa Zoo, Off Smithies Lane, Heckmondwike, WF16 0PN
Opening Hours 10am – 4pm on weekdays and 10am – 5pm on weekends.
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