Northern Ireland-based contractor Henry Brothers Construction has reached a major milestone on the £25 million Global Conservation Centre at Twycross Zoo by holding a topping out ceremony.

The event marked the completion of the main building frame for the state-of-the-art facility, which is due to open in 2027.

The centre, which received £18m from the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund (the largest single government grant ever awarded to a UK zoo), is being delivered by Henry Brothers in partnership with Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council and leading UK universities.

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The completed centre will serve as a global hub for conservation research, education, and collaboration. It will feature:

• A 200-seat lecture theatre, classrooms, and a science lab.

• A 24-bedroom residential wing for visiting experts and students.

• New wildlife gardens and an Indonesian-themed land, including a world-class orangutan habitat.

Ian Taylor, MD at Henry Brothers Construction, expressed pride in the project: "The topping out of the orangutan building marks a milestone in the construction of this exciting development.

"The Henry Brothers team is thrilled to be working with our partners on a world-class project that will make a game-changing contribution to the fight against extinction."

The project, designed with sustainability at its heart, is expected to create 90 new jobs and generate an estimated £3.9m in GVA per year for the local community.