More than 1000 people want Black Isle petting zoo shut down
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MORE than 1000 people have signed an online petition calling for a Highland petting zoo to be shut down after apparently substandard conditions were uncovered there.
The Inverness Courier reported on Friday that two former volunteers at the Black Isle Country Park had hit out at the living conditions of animals, describing the site as being like an "abandoned prison".
Charlotte Lawson (26) and Rita Badia (28), who volunteered at the park for a week earlier this month, said they were horrified by what they saw, and several rabbits had to be put down.
Also known as the Black Isle Wildlife Park and Noah’s Ark Animal Park, the site had its former zoo licence revoked last year due to animal welfare concerns before a new licence was granted, allowing it to reopen as a petting zoo.
The petition launched by Miss Lawson and Miss Badia has now been signed by 1116 people.
Management at the park refuted claims that animals were not being fed, watered or cleaned out properly and manager Alison Gallagher said they had received a "clean bill of health" by vets during a recent visit.
But the concerns have prompted Highland Council’s environmental health team to launch its own investigation, which is still ongoing.
No-one from the park was available for comment this week.
