OPEN: Pupils at St Partick's Catholic Primary School and Tropical World's mascot, Mango, celebrate the reopening
OPEN: Pupils at St Partick’s Catholic Primary School and Tropical World’s mascot, Mango, celebrate the reopening

Popular visitor attraction reopens

Visitors to Leeds can once again experience the magic of one 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 and birds to meerkats and nocturnal monkeys, 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 and rainforest themed mosaics.

EXCITING: Cllr Mark Dobson inspects a new water feature set in the design of a ruined Aztec temple
EXCITING: Cllr Mark Dobson inspects a new water feature set in the design of a ruined Aztec temple

After experiencing the delightful wildlife, visitors can now relax and enjoy a 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.

In 2013, 390,000 people visited Tropical World, making it the Yorkshire and Humber’s third most popular paid attraction.

Flooded forest (800x533)

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.”