Simon Ritchie returns from a day out with a tall story.

OF ALL the animals to become obsessed with, our son just had to choose a giraffe. Our house is full of toy giraffes, large and small, plastic and cuddly, and Elliot won't leave home without at least one member of his herd.

I've nothing against giraffes but they are quite hard to come by, especially in downtown Haxby. Luckily for Elliot, giraffes are back at Flamingo Land zoo and theme park for the first time in 20 years.

Most visitors probably head straight to the rollercoasters, but not us. We went straight to the giraffe enclosure, and as soon as Elliot saw his favourites his eyes nearly popped out of his head. I captured the creatures on video, so Elliot could watch them eating leaves over and over again when he got home.

Next up were the hippos, also new arrivals this year. A viewing platform lets you see the three "river horses", two adults and one baby, wallowing in the newly-created lake. The baby was discovered by head keeper Ruth Wesley when she arrived for work in the summer; she had no idea that proud mum Betty had been expecting.

Also new this year are a pair of white rhinos, who occupy an enclosure next to the Magnum triple loop rollercoaster. A huge new big cat house contains two endangered Siberian tigers and European lynx. It resembles an ancient city, hence the name of the zoo's new theme area, The Lost Kingdom.

We had our picnic by one of the large windows at the tiger enclosure, but didn't catch of glimpse of the endangered creature until we got up and walked away.

The park's railway has been extended to pass the new enclosures, and has been renamed the Daktari Express, after the popular Sixties' TV wildlife series. Unfortunately, when we were there, the train was not working.

The zoo is home to more than 1,000 animals. Apart from those already mentioned there are zebras, camels, baboons, lemurs, sea lions, humboldt penguins, tapirs and meerkats.

There's a bird walk, housing the famous flamingos, as well as a Deep Sea Centre and reptile house, home of hissing cockroaches.

The children's farm is also a firm favourite. Here, youngsters can see baby llamas, goats, tortoises, Vietnamese pot bellied pigs and, if they are lucky, see chicks being born.

On previous visits to Flamingo Land we had concentrated on the rides, just giving the zoo a glance. The zoo is great. It is just a shame there's not a separate admission charge.

HOW TO GET THERE: Take the A64 east towards Scarborough, then turn off on the A169 Malton to Pickering road. Flamingo Land is situated at Kirby Misperton

Opening times: Daily until November 2; 10am to 5pm weekdays, 10am to 6pm at weekends. Christmas lights spectacular, December 6/7, 13/14 and 18 to 24

Admission: Adults and children over three, £14.50. Senior citizens, £7.25. Family ticket £54

Flamingo Land, Kirby Misperton, Malton

Telephone 0870 7528000, www.flamingoland.co.uk

Updated: 17:56 Friday, October 03, 2003