SO we’ve made it to February 22 and like many we awaited with baited breath for Boris’ announcement last night.

Of course we look forward to opening the doors and welcoming our visitors again when it is safe to do so and hopefully, we won’t see lockdown take 4, or 5 or 6.

So, the zoo has been visitor-less since January 5, which is weird, and worrying as we rely on visitors for our survival, but also strangely exciting as it gives us time to regroup, and most importantly to make plans.

So, what has been going on?

Well, our magical maintenance team have been busy bees and we are in the process of lots of exciting developments including a complete revamp of our Kangaroo area – future visitors will be transported to Australia, without the flight of course.

We have also been working with some local contractors to revamp our Top Giraffe House where Critically Endangered Kordofan Giraffes Kofi and Ekundayo live.

The boys now have a sparkly new roof with lots more natural light, improved ventilation and our magical maintenance team have spruced up the inside too.

We have a couple more finishing touches to bring their house right up to date – it’s going to be just pawesome for visitors, and most importantly, pawesome for the boys.

And there are some exciting developments are planned to start in the coming weeks up in our bear house, home to Andean Bears Mona and Zippy and Howler Monkeys Crake, Bittern, Loki and Renan.

Throughout lockdown, our keeper teams have been onsite making sure each of our residents are receiving the tip top care that they deserve, including our newest arrivals Southern White Rhino Calves Iniko and Azeeza.

Iniko was born on the December 30, 2020, and Azeeza joined shortly after on the February 8.

Both are absolutely adorable and making themselves right at home in the Africa house with Mums Zuki and Ntombi.

l Zoos will be allowed to reopen from April 12, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced yesterday.