CHESTER Zoo's impressive new Monsoon Forest exhibition opened its doors to the public today.

Part of the zoo's £40m Islands development, it is the UK's largest ever indoor zoo exhibit.

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It puts a spotlight on a number of species found across South East Asia including the Sulawesi crested macaque, rhinoceros hornbill, Asian forest tortoise and the bizarre-looking tentacled snake - a species which cannot be seen anywhere else in the UK.

It’s also home to Frank and Frankie, a pair of Sunda gharial crocodiles, each weighing around 500kg and measuring 3.5m in length.

The new exhibit features its own tropical weather system with temperatures reaching 80°F and houses some of the world’s most impressive and unique plant species, including starfruit, mango, paw paw, orchids and palm trees that reach heights of over 20 ft.

Dr Mark Pilgrim, Chester Zoo’s director general, said: “Monsoon Forest is a phenomenal exhibit. It’s the largest zoological building in the UK; it’s highly immersive and it has been designed to exhilarate the senses - visitors will be greeted by the smell of exotic fruit, sounds of rolling thunder and the occasional sprinkling of rain. This new exhibit puts Chester Zoo at the cutting edge in terms of the way we’re displaying animals, engaging with visitors and conveying conservation messages.

“The forests of South East Asia are home to a wide range of weird and wonderful species and, in Monsoon Forest, visitors will get to see a number of fascinating animals that come from the region, whist also learning about their environments and the threats they face. With forests being destroyed at an alarming rate, the loss of habitat is having a devastating impact on many wonderful animals and plants found in this part of the world, so it’s important that Monsoon Forest helps to raise awareness of these issues and gives our visitors the opportunity to help make a difference.

“The opening of Monsoon Forest is a huge new chapter for the zoo and a very exciting point in our history.”

Phase one of Islands opened to the public in July and while there are still some finishing touches to be made, you really get a sense of the passion and dedication that has gone in to creating it.

Islands brings conservation to life through detailed recreations of habitats in South East Asia in what has been dubbed one of the most ambitious zoo expansions ever in Europe.

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Sunda gharial crocodile

Visitors set off on their own expedition, walking over bridges, travelling in boats and seeing buildings that are architecturally identical to those found on the islands of Panay, Papua, Bali, Sumba and Sulawesi.

The first phase of the £40m development puts a 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.

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Giant Asian pond turtle

Already in place are the warty pigs and the cossowary - of which we were given an exclusive first look at when they ventured out into their new enclosure for the first time.

The lowland anoa and banteng will soon be moved into Islands, with the Sumatran tigers and orangutan due to the move in the coming weeks.

Islands also features a beach, a 15-minute long Lazy River Boat Trip school house, street kitchen and play area.