From monkeys to meerkats - families embrace zoo’s return

Families have shared their experiences of being the first people to enter Edinburgh Zoo since the country went into lockdown three months ago.

The popular attraction reopened yesterday morning after the Scottish Government gave zoos the go ahead to welcome back visitors.

Matthew and Ailidh Hunter, who are zoo members, were the first family to step through the doors with their two-yearold son Murray.

“It’s just great seeing the place open because we love coming here,” Matthew, from Edinburgh, said.

“We live just nearby and brought Murray all the time. It’s a great place for him to run around and see the animals, so it’s fantastic being back.”

Ailidh said she bought tickets the minute bookings were open from Wednesday last week. “Assoonaswetoldmurray we were going to the zoo, he just got so excited,” she said.

“It’s not hugely different. It’s what we expected because it’s very similar, there are just a few little extra things in place to keep visitors at a social distance.”

Edinburgh resident John King attended the reopening of the zoo with his four-yearold son Alex. “It’s great seeing them reopen and back in business,” he said.

“We saw lots from monkeys to meerkats. It was great walking around it again because we enjoyed it a lot before.

“The young ones just love it and even though the weather has been bad today, it’s been great getting out and experiencing things a bit more normally once again.”

Katie and Doug Robertson attended the zoo with their two children, Olivia, nine, and seven-year-old Findlay.

“We were very keen to make it on the first day because we come here a lot,” Katie said.

“We are members and have still been supporting the zoo throughout lockdown because it means a lot to us to still be able to come here and enjoy it with the children.

“The children have been watching the webcam videos, so it’s great for them to be able to come and see the animals again.

“It’s certainly good to get back to a sense of normality.”

Trish Souness visited the zoo with her children Callum, one, and three-year-old Ellie.

She said: “It’s great having one of the youngsters’ favourite activities back, especially when things have been so limited in lockdown.”

Edinburgh Zoo volunteer Lynda Monroe said it was “wonderful” to be back in the grounds where she often helped with visitor experience. I obviously spent a bit of time here before lockdown happened so it’s certainly great to be back,” she said.

The zoo reopened from 10am yesterday for the first 250 people who booked tickets online.

Chief executive David Field said he hoped to increase the number of visitors to 1,200 each day by the end of the week.

All reopening tickets have sold out for the next two weeks.