ONE of Colchester Zoo’s best loved educational attractions is set to close and be replaced by a high-ropes climbing course.

The Wild Displays arena, which has been a mainstay of the Maldon Road attraction for decades, will close in April to make way for the new visitor experience.

It will be replaced with a three-level high ropes adventure course including curved zip wires, plank walks and more, which could be open by Easter 2020.

New visitors’ facilities, including a toilet building, will also be added as part of the area’s redevelopment.

But following the announcement on the zoo’s Facebook page, some parents took to social media to express their concerns over the decision.

One gold card holder, who asked not to be named, said: “I have a young grandson and he loves birds and we were really looking forward to taking him to the arena soon.

“I do not see how this is benefitting the zoo, there are enough climbing frames and play areas there already.

“I am considering whether it is worth me renewing my gold card.

“There are a lot of parents who are really against this decision.”

Colchester cameraman and wildlife advocate Dan Abbott said he hoped to see more educational developments at the zoo in the future.

He said: “People want to learn more about the wildlife around them and now more than ever, education and information about the natural world is vital to help better protect it.

“Replacing a display for a play area seems like the wrong direction for a zoo to be going in.”

The Wild Displays arena runs two shows each day showcasing some of the zoo’s rare birds of prey.

Visitors will still be able to meet some of the animals from previous displays as part of various meet and greet sessions at the attraction’s Sensation Station.

More details will be released of the arrangements in due course.

Colchester Zoo said plans were in the early stages and it had nothing to add at this time.