As part of its 50th anniversary celebrations this year, the Curraghs Wildlife Park is raising funds to buy an area of tropical rainforest.

The park is supporting the Choco rainforest reserve in Colombia, which is home to a dazzling array of plants and animals, some of which – spectacled owls, spider monkeys and tapirs – can also be found at the Ballaugh park.

Fund-raisers hope to raise ?5,000 to buy an area of rainforest the same size as the park – 50 acres.

Among fund-raising events is An Evening with Jeremy Paul: Travels of a Wildlife Artist at 7.30pm on Friday 2nd October at the Centenary Centre, Peel.

Jeremy, from Colby, specialises in painting wildlife in its natural environment and is a keen supporter of conservation projects.

Among his host of accolades and awards, he was a category winner in the BBC Wildlife Artist of the Year competition three times and was recognised at this year’s National Exhibition of Wildlife Art.

Tickets for the event cost ?10 and can be obtained from the Curraghs Wildlife Park (telephone 897323), Shakti Man in Ramsey, Celtic Gold in Peel, Thompson Travel in Port Erin and Peter Norris Music in Douglas.

The evening includes a chance to buy cards and T-shirts featuring Jeremy’s work and to win fabulous prizes donated by the park, Shakti Man, the Manx Co-operative Society and Robinson’s.

David Cretney MLC, Member of the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, with responsibility for the park, said: ‘In keeping with the aims of modern zoos, the Curraghs Wildlife Park is keen to support measures which conserve habitats and their species around the world.

‘It is vital to conserve rainforests, not just for their rich mix of species but because they play a key role in our climate and are home to many people.

‘The Choco rainforest reserve is an exciting project and I hope that people will support this evening. Not only will you see Jeremy Paul’s stunning wildlife images and find out more about the creation of his wonderful paintings, you will be directly supporting tropical rainforest conservation.’

To find out more about the fund-raising, visit www.curraghswildlifepark.im and click on ‘conservation’.