THREE of Belfast Zoo's newest residents were among the must-see animals as the visitor attraction reopened to the public yesterday.
Ronan, an endangered Rothschild's giraffe calf, a Southern pudu (one of the smallest members of the true deer family) and two Scottish wildcat kittens were all born during lockdown.
Visitors had been told to expect a different experience to the one before March 14, when the zoo closed due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The public must book in advance by telephone and no more than 1,000 people are allowed to attend the daily morning and afternoon sessions.
Protective measures in place include a one-way system, hand sanitising stations and protective screens at all public contact points.
Most of the indoor animal houses will remain closed initially, with the reptile house being the exception.
Belfast Zoo manager Alyn Cairns said it had been business as usual during lockdown for the welfare team caring for the animals and they were "delighted" to be able to open again.
"We would ask the public to please show patience and understanding when booking their tickets, and visiting while these necessary measures are in place..
"In reopening, our top priority is keeping our staff, our animals and our visitors as safe as possible," he said.
