Feature: Tropical Asian jungle re-created at Britain's Chester Zoo

A tropical jungle, creating a series of south east Asia islands, opened to visitors Monday at Britain's Chester Zoo.

The zoo may be thousands of kilometers from the tropical forests of the southern hemisphere, but visitors are able to make lifelike expeditions through an exotic wonderland.

Islands brings conservation to life through recreations of habitats in South East Asia, with visitors able to walk over bridges, travel in boats and view buildings identical to those on the islands of Panay, Papua, Bali, Sumba and Sulawesi. More than 52,000 plants were used to create the tropical environment.

A zoo spokesman said: "The first phase puts the spotlight on highly threatened, yet often unheralded species, such as the critically endangered Visayan warty pig, banteng and lowland anoa, as well as the prehistoric-looking cassowary. It also features a beach, a 15-minute-long Lazy River Boat Trip, school house, street kitchen and play area."

Dr Mark Pilgrim, the zoo's director general, said Monday: "This isn't just about viewing animals in enclosures, it's about giving people a sense of the environments they live in - the sounds, the smells, the people, the color and the culture of far-flung islands in South East Asia."

Phase one of Islands includes Panay, Papua, Bali, Sumba and Sulawesi and includes a Lazy River Boat Trip. Phase two, opening later this year will feature the island of Sumatra and Monsoon Forest. It will become home to animals such as critically endangered Sumatran tigers, critically endangered Sumatran orangutans and Sunda gharial crocodiles.

Chester Zoo is a registered conservation and education charity supporting projects around the world and houses over 12,500 animals and more than 450 different species, many endangered in the wild. Endit