Last night we were invited to the opening of the new Lemur Loop at Marwell Zoo.
Marwell Zoo has 140 acres to explore, packed full of hundreds of endangered and charismatic animals from anteaters to white rhino, giraffes to penguins, zebra to snow leopards and many, many more.
One of our favourite recent additions to the zoo is the African Wilderness, their largest exhibit to date, which is home to the White Rhino, Zebra, Scimitar-Horned Oryx and Ostrich, which all roam around together.
But we were here to meet the Lemurs!
If you are familiar with Marwell, the new Lemur Loop is situated by the giraffe enclosure and is accessed through the new Evolution Hub which replaces the old monkey cages that were here before.
In the Hub, zoo staff will be on hand everyday until 4pm to teach groups about the loveable lemur troop and their habitats. Isaac especially loved the evolution wall and Sebby was ecstatic to find a dinosaur or two along the way.
Also in the Hub was a large table displaying fossils and skeletons belonging to giraffe and lemur, along with skill-based activities for the kids to test their learning.
Opposite the Evolution wall is the stunning Lemur Tree of Life, which shows the Lemur Family Tree. Extinct Lemur species sit on brown leaves and living ones on green leaves, which I thought was a lovely touch.
On the back off this wall is a huge map of Madagascar, complete with Top Trumps style cards on it, describing where each species of Lemur lives on the island and what their habitat is like.
By now the kids couldn’t wait to get inside the walk through and meet the Lemurs and we were not disappointed.
The new walk through is home to four different species of Lemur; Aloatran gentle lemurs, Black and White ruffed Lemurs, Crowned Lemurs and Ring-Tailed Lemurs alongside a new species at Marwell – the endangered Green Peafowl.
The Lemur Loop itself is a beautifully landscaped habitat for the Lemurs aims to closely resemble their natural habitat, encouraging them to leap, climb and sunbathe freely as people walk alongside them.
In fact they were completely oblivious to all the excitement around them and just carried on playing, or in one case – lounging around and eating!
Or licking the salt off the rocks.
Although the Lemur Loop is new to us, the Lemur’s have been getting used to their new home for a few weeks, sharing it with members of staff who have been spending increasing amount of times in there so they get used to having visitors.
For the kids there is also the explorers trail book which is full fun facts about animals at Marwell and the chance to collect stamps all around the zoo.
Marwell Zoo is one of our favourite local places to visit as not only is it packed full of animals to see, but it has wide paths and plenty of play areas for the kids to burn off all their energy and is easily a full day out for all the family.
Entry prices to Marwell Zoo cost from £17.26 per adult and £13.62 for children with kids aged under 3, free. They also offer family discounts.
We cannot wait to go back to Marwell over the summer to see some more of our favourite animals and see their Great Brick Safari where they will become the first UK zoo to host a collection of giant LEGO® brick animals. Over 80 stunning sculptures, representing 25 different species, will be installed around the park, offering an exciting and unique trail to connect children with nature from 1st August – 1st October 2017.
Ah this looks fab – I love lemurs & it looks like they have done a wonderful job to care for them & educate others about them 🙂 x
This looks amazing! Really makes me want to head out and over to the Zoo (and see some Lemurs). I love how informative the post is.
Oh I love lemurs, actually they’re my dads favourite too – they are so cheeky! Looks like a great place for them x
This looks like a fab day and I actually think the prices are pretty reasonable for a family day out and I love that under 3s are free as its usually under 2s. My kids would love it here.
This looks really cool. I have never been to Marwell. The hub looks great for educatonal activities too
Looks like a wonderful place to visit! I hope you have many more happy visits to see the animals 🙂
This looks like a great day out in summer. It is great for kids to connect to nature. Lemurs are so cute
That looks like a fabulous. An experience that children will remember.x
What a great addition to Marwell. I think lemurs have so much character.
What a great addition. I’ve not been in many years but did enjoy it when we did last visit
Aww I love Lemurs! It looks like a really great zoo, and a fun day out. I have to admit though, that giraffe picture freaks me out a bit! HOW TALL ARE THEY!?
That sounds so amazing. I have heard such great things about Marwell and would love to visit if we are ever in the area. Love the Lemur photos, they are great.
What a fab place to take the kiddies. It’s nice that the little ones get a little lesson prior to meeting the lemurs too 🙂
This place looks fab. Lemurs are super cute and my guys love spending time watching them in our local zoo. Some great shots as well looks like you had a great time x
It looks fab and I love the variety of animals. The lemurs look very entertained in their habitat x
It looks fab and I love the variety of animals. The lemurs look very entertained in their habitat x
Looks like a lovely day out with the family xx
Amazing photos! The lemurs are one of our favourites at the zoo so this definitely looks like somewhere we would love to go!
Those lemur toys are too cute! These are one of my favoruite animals. They look so cute when they’re bouncing along!
You’ve captured some amazing photos here. Looks such great fun
Wow what a fun and educational day! I love lemurs they are really cute. We saw some at a local wildlife park recently but they were really high in the trees.
We’ve been to Marwell Zoo when the kids were younger and would love to go again, lemurs are so sweet!
Marwell Zoo looks a great day out, I love the educational parts to it as well. The lemurs are so cute, I’d love to see them!
Awww they are so cute aren’t they! Will have to add this places to our list of places to visit x
We love visiting anything like this! There’s something like the Lemur Loop at Twycross Zoo, where we visit quite often, but the Lemur’s there tend to hide quite a lot, so we don’t get to experience it that well. It looks like it’s the total opposite here 🙂
Louise x
We love Marwell, but haven’t been for years. This new addition is great, and I know for sure their will be lots of children who will love this!
this looks like a great place to visit!
Lemurs are my absolute favourite animal. I adore them and I will travel long distances to see them. This looks and sounds a lovely environment for them. They are facing huge survival issues in Madagascar right now. The information boards look great too
I love Lemurs, they are such characters! This new attraction sounds great! Marwell was our local zoo when we lived in Hampshire, so I have lots of fond memories of it growing up! 🙂
Grandma and grandpa used to take us to marwell zoo all the time when we were kids – we loved it! I don’t remember lemurs being there, but there was a wallaby walk – is that still there? X