Simples - Leeds Tropical World re-opens

The popular visitor attraction in Roundhay will open its doors from 1pm when visitors will be able to walk around the new and improved facilities.

The centre is home to a wide range of animals from butterflies, birds, fish, reptiles, meerkats, monkeys to bearded dragons and bats. But a number of new creatures will now join the ranks including an octopus, seahorses, stingray, dart frogs, Asian Tigerfish and a red bellied piranha. The attraction also now has a new aquarium, a toilet block with changing facilities, rainforest-themed mosaics, environmentally-friendly electrical and heating improvements, paths and a new conservatory extension to the café overlooking the Canal Gardens. Last year a children’s party and education zone was created and the entrance given a revamp as part of the overall refurbishment programme funded by Leeds City Council and the Ziff family.

Councillor Mark Dobson, Leeds City Council’s executive member for cleaner, safer and stronger communities said a “tremendous” amount of hard work and dedication has gone into the revamp. He added: “Tropical World is a truly magical venue that people of all ages can enjoy, and it’s exciting that a host of new animals including seahorses, octopuses and piranhas will be making their home at the attraction, which will now also boast a stunning, Aztec-themed aquarium. This sits aside the construction of a new café conservatory and toilet block, and the refurbishment of the shop and party area, which will make the visitor experience to Tropical World even better in the future.

He also thanked the Ziff family “whose generous funding towards the refurbishment programme has made this long-term ambition of ours a reality”.