'Smallest zoo in the world's' tiny tigers and puny pandas now on show in Wolverhampton

The zoo features the largest collection of microscopic artworks - which have never been seen before - by the world-famous 'micro artist' David A Lindon.

Each of the handmade masterpieces are so small they fit inside the eye of a needle and the collection is the sum of more than two years of painstaking work.

David first needed to create his own handmade microscopic tools and then worked at night for six to 10 hours at a time to avoid the vibrations of the daytime traffic.

The exhibition contains 24 display towers housing the detailed artworks under a protective dome.

The collection includes animals, insects, birds and fish from all over the world and the microscopic dioramas show scenes from the Madagascan rainforest, Egyptian deserts, African savannah, Arctic ice caps and even the Australian Great Barrier Reef.

It also has video, integrated lighting, sound effects and interactive games.

Visitors can not only see the realistic dainty features of a damselfly but also hear the flutter of its micro wings.

An audio description is also available for each creation, describing the challenges David faced in making the art, but also lots of fun facts and figures about each creature.

The 24 detailed narrations are entertaining and educational – David highlights the conservation status of each animal and examines the challenges of survival and the consequences of climate change.

The World’s Smallest Zoo is brought to the city by Enjoy Wolverhampton BID and Hammond Galleries of Shifnal.

Edward Hammond, owner of Hammond Galleries, said “The World’s Smallest Zoo showcases the amazing feats that a human can achieve.

"Each microscopic sculpture is under 1mm in size and would be impossible to make by machine.

"It is really something you have to see to believe. We hope that families from across the Midlands come to enjoy it in Wolverhampton before it travels around the world.”

Cherry Shine, Wolverhampton BID (Business Improvement District) managing director, added: “We’re delighted to welcome The World’s Smallest Zoo to Wolverhampton, it is a unique spectacle to behold.

"We welcome families and people of all ages to come and see the smallest sights at the Change Makers Hub at Wolverhampton Train Station."

The World’s Smallest Zoo is open every day of the Easter holiday, from today until April 8, Monday to Saturday from 9am to 6pm and Sunday from 10am to 5pm.

Tickets are available on the door and cost £10 for adults, £5 for children, under-fours are free, £7.50 for seniors and students and a family ticket is available for £25.