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Boost for Wildlife Park

GENEROUS pupils at Stranraer Academy have handed a much-needed boost to Kirkcudbright Wildlife Park.

The school heard about the plight of the park which has been severely hit by the restrictions surrounding foot-and-mouth.

Every year Academy first-year pupils stop off at the park en route to their annual trip to Newcastle. The stop-off itself is a highlight for the pupils and when they heard about the financial problems at the park they decided to help out with a collection. The whole school managed to raise a magnificent £340 which was despatched straight away to the park.

The wildlife park is now classed as officially the top zoo in Scotland, according to director Phil Woods. In terms of size Edinburgh Zoo is the largest, but Kirkcudbright is top in enclosure design and general animal welfare. With over 50 different species such as silver fox and South American bushdogs there is certainly plenty to see.

Phil Jones said:

"The total running costs are about £2000 per week. Therefore, if we are not getting any visitors in we are in serious trouble".

Mr Jones added that buying animal feed accounted for about £400 of the £2000 total. He said:

"The donation from the school will pay for our animal food costs for about a week and we are very grateful for this."