Welsh Mountain Zoo opens ‘Papillo Forest’

The Welsh Mountain Zoo – National Zoological Society of Wales, has opened the doors to ‘Papillo Forest’, the Zoo’s most ambitious development since 2021, an exciting, interactive habitat, dedicated to butterfly conservation.

Papillo Forest—named after the Latin word for ‘butterfly’— is an immersive indoor habitat showcasing the incredible diversity and life cycle of tropical butterflies. The habitat will take customers on a journey into the world of butterflies, in an experience designed to replicate the natural habitats of the tropical species, offering a first-hand glimpse into their behaviour and beauty.

The habitat has been developed under a six-month construction programme, transforming a disused building into a brand new habitat, marking the first in a series of new developments for the Zoo. The enclosure will be divided into three spaces – upon entry, the first, a tropical and lush environment filled with an array of butterflies - visitors can witness the evolution of butterflies, from egg, caterpillar, pupa to adult. The journey continues into the reptile house - home to snakes, chameleons, spider tortoises, tarantula and more. Phase three remains under construction and will become the new lemur enclosure, representing the wider Madagascan landscape.

The project has been built and crafted largely using the Zoo’s experienced in-house team, including construction, landscape and gardening. Materials have been reclaimed from across the site, including fallen trees, and used to help create the rich forest environment.

Chris Mitchell, Chief Executive Officer of Welsh Mountain Zoo commented: “It’s wonderful to see Papillo Forest ready to welcome visitors through the doors. It’s been an exciting development on many levels and brings something very different to the Zoo, lovingly crafted by our incredibly skilled in-house team!

The Zoo is set to embark on an ambitious development programme this year, and the coming years, all of which will be designed to both enhance visitor experience and share vital conservation messages and learning.

“The world of butterflies is a fascinating one and Papillo Forest will help visitors own a cleaner understanding of butterflies’ critical roles in pollination and ecosystems, as well as the environmental challenges they face due to climate change and habitat loss. Our goal is to create enriching environments that celebrate wildlife while inspiring action,” Papillo Forest is a testament to our mission of sparking a passion for nature with every unforgettable visit.”