A NEW zoo has been welcoming its first visitors for special tours ahead of the grand opening.

Call of the Wild Zoological Park, based on the site of the former Tropical Wings Zoo near South Woodham Ferrers, is almost ready to open its doors to the public.

A wide range of animals are settling into their habitats, including wallabies, lemurs, lamas and many others.

Annual passes have also been launched ahead of the opening early next year, with owners saying that there had been so much interest that the website and booking system briefly went offline as families scrambled for special open days.

Echo:

A zoo spokesman said: “Due to a high demand, we have now released our annual passes ready for 2022.

Book your passes now online via our website.

“Passes will automatically become valid from our opening next year and annual pass cards can be collected on first visit to the zoo in 2022.”

Tropical Wings Zoo was one of Essex’s top attractions before it closed for good in December 2017.

Director Ryan Shorter used to work at both Colchester Zoo and Tropical Wings, the latter shutting due to ill health of its owners.

Mr Shorter used to work at Colchester Zoo and Tropical Wings, which shut due to ill health of the owners.

Echo:

Some animals were movedto Southend’s sealife adventure such as giant tortoises and meerkats.

Similar proposals were drawn up for a new attraction on land at the former Hilltop Nursery, Dowsett Lane, Ramsden Heath. It was also named The Call of the Wild Zoological Park and was compared to the former Tropical Wings Zoo, but ultimately did not open.

Speaking to the BBC in June, Mr Shorter said: “The one part we are trying to develop is native area, so we are going to have some native species as well.

Hopefully try and educate the public and offer something new.”

The zoo is expected to open in February 2022.