A popular wildlife attraction in Leeds has reopened after a substantial donation from patrons the Ziff family assisted the final phase of a two-year £1.5 million refurbishment.
Leeds City Council also funded the revamp to the Arnold and Marjorie Ziff Tropical World in Roundhay, home to a large collection of wildlife, including birds, reptiles, meerkats, seahorses, frogs and a red-bellied piranha.
The city’s late benefactor, Arnold Ziff, was a major sponsor of Tropical World. The present structure was built in 1939, modernised in 1983 and opened in 1984 to the west of the 700-acre beauty spot Roundhay Park.
Edward Ziff said his father’s association with the Leeds City Park Division went back to childhood. It was Arnold Ziff’s wish for Tropical World to remain a city attraction for visitors to enjoy free of charge. “However, with present-day strategic cuts, he would have been disappointed, but nevertheless realistic enough, to accept the current charges made for admission.”