Rainforest ecosystem to be built inside giant dome at British zoo

The bio-dome will be an African rainforest-themed sanctuary for a band of gorillas, a large troop of chimpanzees, okapi (rare giraffe-like creatures), and a wide variety of tropical birds, amphibians, reptiles, fishes and invertebrates, moving freely among the vegetation.

The zoo says it will seek planning permission for the dome and a 90-room hotel later this year.

Prof Gordon McGregor Reid, director general of the zoo, said: "Natural Vision will offer a fun, family-friendly, adventurous, yet educational window on the world of conservation.