Donations flood in to help zoo rescue three circus bears

Nearly £10,000 has been raised in a single week as donations flood in for the Five Sisters Zoo Circus Bear Appeal fund.

The West Lothian Zoo says it has been amazed by the response to its fundraising appeal to rescue three homeless circus bears from languishing in a holding centre in Belgium.

Suzy, Carmen and Peggy spent much of their life living in cramped cages measuring just 10m squared.

The zoo needs help to raise £80,000 to transport and rehouse the bears from Belgium to their facilities, where a specially-built wooden enclosure is being planned.

Since the announcement, volunteers, local businesses and national firms have all come forward, eager to help.

Brian Curran, co-owner of the not-for-profit zoo, said: “We couldn’t be more delighted.

“Cheques and offers of help are flooding in and each one takes us nearer to the target and means we can get the bears here by Christmas, hopefully.”