A new habitat housing six tigers could be coming to Chessington World of Adventures if plans are approved by Kingston Council.
The Merlin Entertainments operated theme park resort in Surrey, south of London, wants to build three new tiger enclosures. They would become home to four new Amur Tigers as well as two Sumatran Tigers already living at the park. The enclosures would replace the Peeking Heights Ferris wheel, Adventure Zone and a food stall, planning documents reveal. Chessington also plans to re-theme the adjacent Dragon Falls flume ride ride as part of the development in the park’s Mystic East zone.
“The provision of new tiger enclosures will enable Chessington World of Adventures to increase its popular animal collection, to the benefit of its conservation programme and visitors,” notes Chessington associate director, Ian York.
“It is nice to see innovation in a new exhibit,” notes Jo Cook of the Zoological Society of London’s European Endangered Species Programme for Amur tigers in a letter of support that appears in the planning application. “The tunnels linking the outside areas will be a striking feature and I am sure will have great impact on your visitors, as well as providing novel vantage points for the tigers themselves.”
Chessington’s future plans
As part of its 10-year plan for Chessington World of Adventures, Merlin has already submitted blueprints for 45 new lodges at the resort’s Safari Hotel. Kingston Council has already approved plans 35 ‘glamping’ tents and a Go Ape treetop adventure at nearby Sixty Acre Wood. New rides including a family rollercoaster, as well as a soft play, trampolines and a 3D cinema at the Safari Hotel, are expected over the coming years. This spring the park unveiled a revamped Gruffalo River Adventure Adventure dark ride, as well as a Safari Carousel by Bertazzon (pictured above).
https://www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/15409224.Chessington_World_of_Adventures_has_grand_plans_for_a_new_tiger_enclosure/
