The Curraghs Wildlife Park has succeeded in its target of raising money to buy 50 acres of rainforest to mark its 50th anniversary.

The park’s conservation fund is sending ?5,000 to the World Land Trust for the protection of part of the Choco rainforest in Colombia, South America.

The charity, whose patron is Sir David Attenborough, purchases important areas of rainforest to protect eco-systems and stop fragmentation of habitats.

The park raised the sum by selling badges and inviting donations for children’s craft sessions, eye-spy competitions and seasonal trails.

The climax of the fundraising was a sell-out evening with well-known wildlife artist Dr Jeremy Paul, organised by the Friends of the Wildlife Park, which raised more than ?1,000.

David Cretney MLC, Member of the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture with responsibility for the park, said: ‘We started the conservation fund to encourage visitors to think about global conservation issues while visiting the park

‘We chose to support Choco rainforest to mark our anniversary year because it is one of the wettest places on the planet and we are on a wetland of scientific interest. Many of the species we have, such as our spectacled owls and spider monkeys, come from South American rainforests, so it seemed fitting to support this deserving cause.

‘Sir David says money donated to the World Land Trust “has more effect on the wild world than almost anything he can think of”.

‘We are pleased to have reached our target before the end of our anniversary year. We are incredibly grateful to our visitors, members, volunteers and Friends, who have all done their bit to raise the funds.’

Mr Cretney said the conservation fund would continue to send an annual donation to the World Land Trust as, once purchased, land is patrolled to safeguard it.

For more information about the World Land Trust, visit http://www.worldlandtrust.org/ 

The Curraghs Wildlife Park is open from 10am to 5pm daily (10am to 4pm Friday to Sunday and school holidays from 9th November) and tickets and information can be obtained via http://www.curraghswildlifepark.im/