Five Sisters Zoo blazing a trail for animal rescue and sanctuary - Steve Cardownie
The Five Sisters Zoo near Polbeth, West Lothian, was founded in 2005 and was opened by the owners, Brian and Shirley Curran on the site of what used to be a garden centre and quarry which takes its name from the nearby Five Sisters shale bings.
Once, during a conversation I had with Brian at the zoo, he told me that the term “zoo” is not the best description of the type of facility that has been developed and that he would describe it differently.
This is reflected on the Five Sisters web page which states that “Unlike traditional municipal zoos, the family-run park heavily specialises in wildlife sanctuary and rescue work, providing permanent homes for animals saved from traveling circuses, private neglect and war-torn areas (such as ex-circus brown bears from Lithuania, rescue lions, and animals from Ukraine.)
I spoke to Brian earlier this week and he told me that November can be a difficult time for the zoo as visitor numbers “continue to dwindle” and “most people are starting to think about Christmas coming up so visiting a zoo is not a priority- the operating costs however do nor reduce and, if anything, these increase because of the electricity required to heat animal enclosures.”
To meet the challenge of ever-increasing costs the zoo has introduced “a dazzling spectacle of illuminations themed for Christmas that has now become an annual tradition for many local people.” He told me that “As a bonus some of the nocturnal animals which usually hide away during the day can be seen under gentle indiscreet lighting. If you have never experienced a zoo at night, you may be pleasantly surprised and you will also be helping the zoo meet its significant running costs.”
Its website proudly proclaims that you should get ready to step into a world of light and wonder as FSZ Illuminations make their spectacular return this winter!
The zoo also has a fundraiser running just now to help build a new enclosure for Inca, a rescued puma that was suffering in horrendous living conditions and although she is now living comfortably at the zoo “we wish to create a haven to help her live out her remaining years in an environment she has never experienced before.”
Brian told me that putting the animals on display was designed to attract visitors whose admission money is put to good use to further their rescue work. With over 160 different species from around the world, looking after the is a daunting undertaking but one which Brian and Shirley are fully prepared to meet. Their rescue work has also gained such an international reputation that they are regularly sounded out by similar animal welfare organisations throughout the world to see if they could house more animals that are in dire need of a permanent, stress free home.
I have written about the zoo before and make no apologies for doing so again. The invaluable work carried out by this facility in animal welfare needs all the support it can get. Nestled on Edinburgh’s doorstep, it offers some unforgettable experiences and it’s educational work with nurseries, schools, colleges and universities is recognised as exemplary.
The zoo started as a modest venture by Brian and Shirley and, to their credit, they have stuck with it-despite the cost!
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