The Curraghs Wildlife Park plans a fun-filled weekend for all the family from 3rd to 5th July as it celebrates the 50th anniversary of its opening.

There will be half price admission to the park and late night opening until 9pm on the day of the anniversary, Friday 3rd July.

At 6pm, the Isle of Man Post Office will launch a set of six stamps featuring animals and birds resident at the park in celebration of the 50th anniversary. In addition to sets and sheets of stamps, postcards, first day covers and presentation packs depicting the species will also be on sale at the park.

The evening of 3rd July sees the unveiling of a 12-foot tall sculpture of an elk, a gift from the Friends of the Wildlife Park that the Isle of Man Arts Council has partly funded.

Sculptors Steph and Darren Jackson and masons Rosie and Lenny Glassey will be present at the unveiling.

From 6.30pm, there will be a hog roast and entertainment, with tickets on sale priced ?5.

On Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th July, the park will host the Big Birthday Party, with lots of additional attractions including bouncy castles for children of all ages and costume characters.

Manx Radio will be broadcasting live from the park on Saturday 4th July.

The park, in Ballaugh, is home to 74 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and invertebrates.

Richard Ronan MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture, said: ‘We have grown up with the Wildlife Park and visitors from years ago are now taking their children and grandchildren along.

‘Thanks to new attractions, investment and the hard work of staff and volunteers, the park is more popular than ever, with 57,000 visitors last year and equally impressive numbers this year.

‘There is always something new to see. The arrival of four new coatis – member of the raccoon family – from France are proving an attraction, as is the refurbished penguin pool, home to the ever-popular Humbolt penguins, and a new baby Alaotran gentle lemur, a species that’s critically endangered in the wild.’

The Minister said: ‘We hope to celebrate the 50th anniversary with lots of first-time and returning visitors.’

50th anniversary merchandise, including a set of 50 collectable badges featuring the park’s inhabitants, will be on sale. Proceeds will boost the park’s conservation fund, which is raising money to buy a parcel of Colombian rainforest the same size as the park.

The park is open daily from 10am to 6pm until after schools’ half term in November.

Tickets and memberships can be purchased online in advance via www.curraghswidlifepark.com – enabling visitors to beat queues at busy times.

A family ticket for two adults and two children costs ?26, while a family membership for two adults and two children costs just ?95 and gives year-round admission, 10% off in the shop and 10% off hot food and drinks in the cafe. Additional children and grandparents can be added to memberships.