Zoological gardens opened at Van Hage Garden Centre
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Created by Ventura Wildlife at the Van Hage Garden Centre, the attraction opened on Saturday (July 23) for a preview day.
The animals on show included a lama, alpaca, zebra, wallabies, emu, reindeer, armadillo, tropical and water birds including parakeets, and lemurs.
Pride of place go to the fossa, a relative of the mongoose and the only example in the county, and Cuban hutia, a species of rodent never before seen in the UK.
Director of Ventura Wildlife, Ashley Palmier, said: "We had lots of people from Herts and beyond, and really good weather."
The zoological gardens have been created after a year of planning and work.
They are set to be further developed in the coming months.
Mr Palmier added: "We will have more animals coming in from Europe in the next month or so and the opening of our tropical house.
"There are lots more exciting things happening."
Among the additions will be kangaroos and the female fossa already onsite will be joined by a male as part of a European breeding programme.
The gardens will also be opened to schools for educational visits after the summer.
The zoological gardens will be open daily from Saturday between 10am and 5.30pm, and until 4.30pm on Sundays.
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