COMIC antics of playful meerkats was a highlight of a unique day out for visitors from across Cheshire.
Holmes Chapel Zoo welcomed hundreds of families for their first open day.
Owners Ben and Melissa Mews were overwhelmed by the response.
Ben said: “We had 400 visitors, it was absolutely brilliant.
“Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
“Everyone said they loved that they could get so close to the animals. Meerkats are really cute and were jumping on people’s laps.
“We offered a meerkat experience where people could go in and meet meerkats.
“We also had a little handling station for snakes, gerbils and stick insects.”
Visitors took to social media to say how much they enjoyed the experience.
One dad said: “Fantastic. What a future this zoo holds in conservation.”
A mum added: “It was a fabulous day.”
Two more open days are being held tomorrow, Saturday, August 12, and Bank Holiday Monday August 28, from 10am to 4pm.
Visitors can pay on the day or book online at zoo2u.as.me/hczopendays
The couple hope to develop a community zoo and wildlife conservation park beside Bidlea Dairy at Orchard Farm in Twemlow, after the lease at their previous site expired.
The pair are now working with Cheshire East Council to amend their dream bid after their original application was turned down.
For now, under their zoo licence, they can only open their doors for six days a year.
Melissa said: “Our heart is for the local community.
“We want to be somewhere people can afford and just pop in for a couple of hours.”
The zoo is home to around 39 different species including skunks, a giant tortoise, birds of prey, a Kookaburra, parrot, reptiles and a Tenrec, a little Madagascan mammal that looks like a hedgehog.
Ben said: “Open days help us raise money to enhance the skunk and meerkat habitats.
"With higher costs and lower revenue, we need to ensure we are ready for the winter months to care for the animals, until we get the sign off to open to the public permanently."
The couple pride themselves on maintaining the highest standards of animal care and conservation.
They have run their animal encounters business, Zoo2U, for 11 years.
Melissa said: “I have worked since I was 15 in zoos and have over 30 years’ experience.
“I have studied up to masters level in animal sciences and network closely with various zoos around the world.
“We tap into all their data bases and knowledge. We work closely with universities.
“We have a really good set of exotic vets to look after our birds, mammals and reptiles.
“We are looking to conserve fauna and flora in the future.
“Nature is on our doorstep that needs protecting.”
Meticulous care is taken to select each one of their creatures.
“We obtain our animals from reputable places,” said Melissa.
“Some come to us from other zoos.
“We have a very rigorous system for staff too so we know that the right people are caring for our animals.
“I train staff in-house and they go on courses to keep their knowledge up to date.”
The couple plan to submit a revised application in the autumn and hope to get permission to open the zoo permanently by Easter next year.
Ben said: “The open days provide a good litmus test for how much local residents will benefit from a local affordable community zoo.
“It has been a resounding success. We have had an amazing response.
“People said they love the enthusiasm and passion of all our staff.
“This gives us great optimism to create this community zoo.”
Admission is £3.50 per person and under twos are free.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here