Following weeks of campaigning for the Welsh Mountain Zoo to be reopened by Clwyd West MS Darren Millar and his Welsh Conservative colleagues, there was cause for celebration today when the First Minister announced changes to lockdown restrictions which could see the popular tourist attraction back up and running in two weeks.

Like many zoos, aquariums and animal attractions in Wales, the Welsh Mountain Zoo has been struggling to make ends meet as a result of their closure in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Welsh Conservatives have been leading a campaign calling for the reopening of the zoo and earlier this month Darren sent a letter to the First Minister emphasising the zoo’s status as the National Zoo of Wales and calling for it to be given “special consideration for support from the Welsh Government.”

Welcoming today’s news that the zoo could be reopened on July 6th, when the five mile rule is expected to end, Darren said:

“This is absolutely fantastic news. The future of the Welsh Mountain Zoo was looking very bleak with the Welsh Government having failed to provide them with the support they desperately needed during this pandemic.

“With nobody having been allowed to visit zoos and other animal attractions in Wales since March, they are really struggling and they will be delighted that there is now some light at the end of what has been a very long and dark tunnel for them.

“As soon as they are allowed to open and travel restrictions are lifted,  I urge the people of North Wales to support the zoo by enjoying a day out at this top North Wales attraction.”