It's a bug's life in the new Jungle Room

The Jungle Room is unveiled this weekend by leading animal handling business ZooLab.

Using 20 years of experience the local firm’s latest venture, based at Torwood Garden Centre, Larbert, will give people the chance to hold lizards, snakes and spiders during weekly seminars, as well as enjoying storytelling and arts and crafts workshops.

Filled with lush plants, exotic animals and a 20 metre ant enclosure, the room will also be available to hire for children’s parties, corporate teambuilding and educational visits.

Managing director, Diane Mathison, who turned to Business Gateway Falkirk to help grow the family-run enterprise, projects the new facility will increase the company’s turnover by 10 per cent and create at least five jobs.

She said: “The Jungle Room is a fantastic way to bring people closer to nature whilst stimulating an interest in science and learning using fun and entertainment.

“As an entrepreneurial business we knew that moving to Torwood would give us the space we needed to expand our services and create a world-class experience.

“It also provides us with an exciting opportunity to breed rare animals in our care to help preserve their future. Once established we hope to open a chain of Jungle Rooms across the UK within the next 10 years, not only helping to create jobs but putting ZooLab firmly on the conservation map.”