Crane a long neck into Flamingo Land (From Gazette & Herald)

Crane a long neck into Flamingo Land

Giraffes are back at Flamingo Land zoo and theme park for the first time in 20 years.

In fact, a huge slice of the park's £4m investment this year has gone into improving and extending the zoo, at Kirby Misperton.

Head past the rollercoasters, and you'll find not only giraffes but hippos, also new arrivals this year.

A viewing platform has been built so you can see the three "river horses", two adults and one baby, wallowing in the newly-created lake.

The baby was discovered by head keeper Ruth Wesley when she arrived for work in the summer; she had no idea that proud mother Betty was expecting.

Also new this year are a pair of white rhinos, who occupy an enclosure next to the Magnum triple loop rollercoaster.

A huge new big cat house, with viewing platform, has been built to house two endangered Siberian tigers and European lynx.

It resembles an ancient city, hence the name of the zoo's new theme area, The Lost Kingdom.

The park's railway has been extended to pass the new enclosures, and has been renamed the Daktari Express, after the popular Sixties TV wildlife series.

The zoo, you may be surprised to learn, is home to more than 1,000 animals.

Apart from those already mentioned, there are zebras, camels, baboons, lemurs, sea lions, Humboldt penguins, tapirs and meerkats.

There's a bird walk, where you can see the famous flamingos, as well as a deep sea centre and reptile house, home of hissing cockroaches.

The children's farm is also a firm favourite.

Here, youngsters can see at close hand baby llamas, goats, tortoises, Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs and, if they are lucky, see chicks being born.

Opening times: Daily until November 2; 10am to 5pm weekdays, 10am to 6pm at weekends.

Christmas lights spectacular, December 6/7, 13/14 and 18 to 24

Admission: Adults and children over three, £14.50. Senior citizens, £7.25. Family ticket £54.

For more details, contact (0870) 7528000 or visit the website www.flamingoland.co.uk.

Updated: 12:23 Wednesday, October 08, 2003