The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Park which lost zoo licence aims for new domestic role
Rebranding bid faces persistent animal-welfare objections
A troubled wildlife park will have its bid for a new licence considered next week.
The newly- rebranded Black Isle Country Park is applying for a public entertainment licence to operate as a farm park or petting zoo.
The application follows the Drumsmittal attraction losing its zoo licence earlier this year amid concerns about the conditions and welfare of its animals.
It came after a series of inspections which exposed failings in animal welfare.
The park has been running without a licence after
“We co-operated fully with environmental health officers”
scrapping admission fees and relying on donations.
The public entertainment licence would mean they can continue to operate as a farm park for domestic species.
However, an outstanding objection has been lodged with the application from Highland Council’s environmental health team.
Outstanding issues include the rehoming of animals subject to zoo controls, welfare of animals remaining on display and general maintenance of enclosures and public areas.
A follow-up inspection was done last week by environmental health and a Scottish Government-appointed vet. An update on the inspection will be provided when the bid goes before the council’s licensing committee on Tuesday.
The environmental health team’s objection could be withdrawn if they were satisfied improvements are being made.
Objections have also been made against the park by two members of the public, including John Robins from the Animal Concern Advice Line. He said most of the previous problems centred on domestic animals which would still be kept at the park if the licence was granted.
A number of letters have also been sent in support, including from employees and park volunteers.
Among them is a letter from Alison Gallagher, a friend of the park’s owners Eric and Maureen Maxwell. She said :“We have co-operated fully with environmental health officers after the short closure in April and have put in place measures to ensure the park is kept up to standards set out by environmental health and safety officers.” She said the allegations were due to a “vendetta” and social media “hate campaign. A letter of support also came from mental health charity Birchwood Highland offering support by providing volunteers. The park could not be contacted yesterday.