Orangutans will be among the residents of the new Chester Zoo. Photo / Supplied
The exotic islands of South East Asia are to be recreated at the UK's biggest zoo.
Chester Zoo has won planning permission for a NZ$59 million redevelopment to create its own Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Bali, Sumatra, Sumba and Sulawesi.
The Islands project will be linked by a series of bridges and waterways and the development will be home to animals and plants from the region,
new species such as banteng wild cattle, and the Sunda Gavial crocodile.
Other animal species will include Sumatran tigers, orangutans, Sulawesi macaques and exotic birds such as the lorikeet and rhinoceros hornbills.
The multimillion-pound venture will showcase the zoo's Act For Wildlife conservation activities as visitors navigate their way through mangroves, swamps, bamboo and tropical forests.
