A pet centre has seen visitor numbers rocket after the introduction of two baby meerkats and a £750,000 revamp.
Pets’ Corner in Hazlehead Park had 24,971 visitors through its doors in July, three times more than in the same month last year. The centre only had 45,434 for the year in 2016.
The best-attended day was Saturday, July 8, when 1,640 people visited.
The boosted figures come after a recent refurbishment which included new fish and reptile tanks, a new roof and external access ramps.
As well as the new meerkats, other animal attractions at the centre include alpacas, kune kune pigs, geese, turkey, chickens, sheep, goats, a Shetland pony, and miniature donkeys. Gethin the pygmy goat, a new arrival last July, has also proved a popular.
Donald Shaw, chairman of Friends of Hazlehead Park charity group, said: “One of our top priorities was to modernise and improve Pets’ Corner and further transform it into an interpretive/educational centre for the city and shire. We’ve worked tirelessly with the city council over the past five years to make this happen.
“The work to the aquarium and reptile section is now finished and the interpretation centre in extended Pets’ Corner will be fully opened shortly providing a boost to the park which will give people, and particularly families, a great reason to visit the area and see for themselves all the fantastic facilities and animals there are.
“We are really delighted with the finished facility. The huge interest and support shown by the public has been brilliant and is testament to vision of this investment.”
Councillor Yvonne Allan, the city council’s communities, housing and infrastructure convener, said: “Pets’ Corner has been popular with families for years and the refurbishments and new additions have made it a really exciting place to go for people of all ages, particularly in the beautiful setting of Hazlehead Park.
“We hope more new visitors come to Pets’ Corner to see all the attractions.”
