VISITORS to Tropiquaria Zoo, near Watchet, will be able to see Bode the bobcat for the first time this weekend.

Bode will make his public debut on Sunday (April 13), just 12 weeks since zoo director Chris Moiser saved him from being put down.

Mr Moiser rescued Bode less than 24 hours before was due to have been euthanised by veterinary surgeons after a judge ordered the closure of a big cat sanctuary where he had been living in Hertfordshire.

An online fund-raising appeal by Mr Moiser then saw nearly £6,500 raised from zoo supporters to help cover the cost of building a new enclosure in Tropiquaria for Bode.

The enclosure includes a bespoke water feature and is the first aquascape ecosystem pond to be constructed in a zoo setting anywhere in Europe.

The water feature is an entirely self-sufficient living ecosystem, including a biofalls waterfall filled with specially-designed large surface area balls allowing beneficial bacteria to colonise and remove excess nutrients from water being returned to the pond.

Rocks and gravel also provide increased surface area for healthy bacteria to do its job, as well as creating ‘a beautifully realistic appearance’.

A slew of local companies, and some from further afield, donated labour and materials as the story of Bode’s rescue, first reported by the Free Press in January, touched the hearts of many people.

One of the water feature specialist volunteers flew from Slovenia to help with the project, and others travelled from Yorkshire and Bedfordshire.

Most recently, Monkton Elm Garden Centre, from Taunton, gave a large number of plants for the new enclosure.

Mr Moiser said: “After a tremendous amount of hard work, we are thrilled to announce that the official opening of the new bobcat enclosure will take place on Sunday.

“Bode will actually move in secretly a few days beforehand, so we can make sure he has time to settle and make himself at home in the enclosure.

“The area will remain cordoned off until the 13th.”

An English American football team, Bournemouth Bobcats, will be at Tropiquaria on Sunday to help with the official opening of Bode’s home.

A group of donors, sponsors, and well-wishers who have helped to make the bobcat home possible will have a first look at the new enclosure before it opens to the public at about 1.30 pm.

Mr Moiser said: “We are also offering the chance for a small number of professional photographers to join us on the day to be the first to photograph Bode in all his glory, and capture some of the magic of the day.

“We are so excited to share with you the finished product and welcome you to see it.”

However, Mr Moiser said there was still ‘a huge amount’ to complete during this week before the opening could happen.

Once Bode’s enclosure is opened, Mr Moiser is hoping to be able to plan other aquatic landscape features, with the possibility of a new-look home for Tropiquaria’s otters.