NO, those aren’t butterflies in your stomach – they’re the butterflies at Essex’s newest zoo, which has announced its long-awaited opening date.

Call Of The Wild Zoological Park will open to the public on Friday February 12.

The new attraction, which is based on the site of the former Tropical Wings Zoo near South Woodham Ferrers, has a wide range of animals waiting to meet visitors.

Opening times are from 9.30am to 4pm during winter months until March 31.

And the summer opening hours are from 9.30am to 5pm until October 31.

Animals which will be housed at the zoo will include meerkats, lemurs, porcupines, and wallabies.

A tropical house is also set to be brought back, with birds and butterflies similar to the feature at Tropical Wings before it closed in December 2017.

Call Of The Wild held a number of private preview tours in December ahead of next month’s grand opening.

In a statement last week, Call of the Wild Zoo wrote: “We are pleased to announce our official opening date of the 12th of February 2022!

“Tickets can be booked now via our website www.callofthewildzoo.co.uk

"Please pre-book now to avoid disappointment (limited availability on walk-ins).

“We look forward to welcoming you all back soon.”

Residents have reacted with excitement to the announcement on Facebook.

Lucy Antrobus said: "So happy about this, I can't wait to see what you have done with the place."

Mary Hodges wrote: "Really enjoyed seeing what you have been doing when we visited before Christmas. Looking forward to coming back again!"

Mike Bichard added: "Loved our visit before Xmas, looking forward to next time."

Ticket prices are £11.99 for adults, £9.99 for children, and under-twos, and £10.99 for concessions.

Annual passes cost £53.99, £44.99 and £49.95.