Chester Zoo to open a new 'world first' giant insect exhibition

Chester Zoo has released details about a 'world first' exhibition which is set to open in July.

Thirteen giant animatronic bugs are to be unveiled as part of the special new event.

Featuring large-scale robotic replicas of species such a scorpion, a ladybird and a 33ft-wide tarantula, BUGS! promises to be one of the most breath-taking exhibits ever seen in a UK zoo.

The huge creations are being custom built for the zoo by a top animation studio in the USA and it will be the first time they will have ever been seen together, anywhere in the world, when BUGS! opens on July 13.

Conservationists from the zoo hope the exhibition will provide a showcase for invertebrates and the need to conserve threatened species.

Chester Zoo's director general, Mark Pilgrim, said:

"Chester Zoo is heavily involved in vital world-wide conservation work aimed at saving species from extinction. And it's not just iconic species such as Eastern black rhino and Asian elephants that we're focussed on. Our work with invertebrates, like our critically endangered Polynesian tree snails or rare British fen-raft spiders, is just as important to us.

"We want BUGS! to put invertebrates in the spotlight, show how fantastic they are and really raise awareness of the need to conserve them. Engaging people, particularly youngsters, with conservation sometimes takes some drastic ideas and new ways of thinking and that's precisely what we hope these thirteen giant, robotic bugs will do.

"The attention to detail in the creation of these huge bugs is simply incredible. They're very, very realistic but at the moment we're keeping their further details top secret and firmly under wraps. We've no doubt this new, world first display will leave people absolutely buzzing."

BUGS! will be free with normal zoo admission prices.

Visit www.chesterzoo.org/bugs for more.