Picture caption (Top) - The new conservatory café at Tropical World.
Picture caption (Middle) - Discover the delights of the flooded forest at Tropical World.
Picture caption (Bottom) – Cllr Mark Dobson inspects a new water feature set in the design of a ruined Aztec temple.
Visitors can once again experience the magic of one of Leeds and Yorkshire’s most popular visitor attractions, after Tropical World reopened its doors to the public following an exciting refurbishment programme.
Home to a wide range of animals from butterflies, birds, fish, reptiles, meerkats and nocturnal monkeys to bearded dragons and bats, Tropical World has now also welcomed a host of new arrivals to its ranks following the revamp. On offer includes an octopus, seahorses, stingray, dart frogs, Asian Tigerfish and a red bellied piranha that sit aside other improvements such as the introduction of a fantastic new aquarium, a new toilet block with changing facilities, rainforest themed mosaics and environmentally friendly electrical and heating improvements. After experiencing the delightful wildlife don’t miss on the chance to relax and enjoy a tasty snack or drink in the new conservatory extension to the café which overlooks the beautiful Canal Gardens.
Last year, a children’s party and education zone was also created and the entrance to Tropical World was given a facelift as part of the overall £1.5m refurbishment programme funded by the council, a grant and a very generous donation from the Ziff family, who continue to be great supporters of the venue and city in general.
In 2013, 390,000 people visited Tropical World, making it the Yorkshire and Humber’s third most popular paid attraction.
Councillor Mark Dobson, Leeds City Council’s executive member for cleaner, safer and stronger communities said:
"I am delighted to say that Tropical World is now open to the public once again following a fantastic and wide-ranging improvement programme which was certainly worth the wait.
"There really is something for everyone so don’t miss out on your chance to see a variety of new exotic animals and experience fantastic attractions and facilities such as the new aquarium and café conservatory.
"The scale of the refurbishment would not have been possible without the continued support and generous funding from the Ziff family and on behalf of the council I would like to offer our deep thanks and gratitude for their help."
Notes to editors:
For more information regarding Tropical World please access on the web: www.leeds.gov.uk/tropicalworld; Twitter: www.twitter.com/tropworldleeds or Facebook: www.facebook.com/tropicalworldleeds
Entrance prices at Tropical World are as follows:
Adults: £5.00
LeedsCard: £3.00
‘Extra’ cardholders: £2.00
Breezecard holders: £2.00
5 to 15 year olds: £2.50
Under 5s: Free
For media enquiries, please contact;
Colin Dickinson, Leeds City Council press office (0113) 39 51578
Email: colin.dickinson@leeds.gov.uk