Collection of lemurs ready to welcome visitors to Ponderosa Zoo when it reopens next week

Following last night's announcement from Prime Minister, Boris Johnston that the road map to re-opening is still on the right road, Ponderosa Zoo, a family-run tourist attraction, based in Heckmondwike confirmed it will re-open on Monday.

Ponderosa is home to over 140 animals, including a collection of lemurs who moved into a new purpose-built enclosure earlier this month. The build took place throughout this current lockdown and the enclosure will house Black and White Ruffled Lemurs, Ring-Tailed Lemurs, and Red-Fronted Lemurs.

It has been built on previously unused land within the zoo and the exhibit will provide plenty of space for their exotic animals to explore.

Ponderosa also hopes that the new collection of lemurs and the re-opening will raise awareness of the conservation effort of their charity partners.

A spokesperson at the zoo said “We have worked really hard throughout lockdown to get the new enclosure ready and are so excited to be reopening soon. We can’t wait for visitors to see these incredible animals in their amazing new space."

Ponderosa Zoo boasts an abundance of outdoor facilities, including an outdoor adventure play area, lakeside beach, pirate ship, picnic and outdoor dining facilities. Whilst all outdoor areas will reopen on April 12, the Bunny Barn and Reptile House will remain closed.

They added: “We have taken every necessary precaution to ensure the zoo is safe for visitors, including installing hand wash stations, implementing one-way systems, enhanced cleaning procedures, and limiting capacity.”

Ponderosa Zoo will reopen from April 12 and visitors are advised to pre-book their tickets via the website.

Ponderosa Zoo (originally Ponderosa Rural Therapeutic Centre) was created in 1991 by Maureen Cook with the aim to 'bridge the gap' between disabled and able bodied people through the care of animals as a form of therapy. At the time the centre held a variety of domestic animals including pigs, goats and cattle but since its conception Ponderosa Zoo is now home to over 140 animals from lemurs to reindeer.