ALMOST 2,000 animals are to be transported from an animal park in Cumbria to their new home near Scotch Corner which offers larger grounds for its reptiles, birds and mammals.

Wetheriggs Zoo and Animal Rescue Sanctuary has been based in Penrith for around eight years, but because of its ever-growing population of rescued animals has been searching for a new base.

Director Terry Bowes, originally from County Durham, said Thorpe Farm Centre, around ten miles from Scotch Corner, North Yorkshire, was an ideal location for his menagerie of critters.

He said: “We are transporting 1,700 birds, animals and reptiles to their new home throughout October.

“We have 35 acres of grazing, woodland, wetland, and 1,500 square feet of indoor space.

“The move has been delayed because last week we discovered that one of our meerkats had given birth – the pup was discovered as volunteers cleared out the enclosure – but we hope most of our animals will be relocated by the end of October.”

Wetheriggs Animal Rescue was set up ten years ago by Mr Bowes, who has experience of working in zoos, when he was called upon to rescue some reptiles following a court order on their previous owners.

He said: “It has grown from there. We moved into our Penrith location two years after getting our first reptiles and now we are looking forward to settling in at Thorpe Farm.

“We have lots of different enclosures, including a walk-through bat enclosure and we were the first centre in the country to have a meerkat enclosure that visitors could come into to learn about the animals.

“Our macaws are also very popular, they are full of character.”

Animals at the park include parrots, eagle owls, leopard geckos, macaws, tarantulas, raccoon dogs, fruit bats and a vulture.

Mr Bowes has also rehomed more than 2,000 British wild animals and birds in the last three years.

He said: “We have a fantastic group of volunteers, many of which are coming with us to Thorpe Farm, but we have also gained some new volunteers from the Darlington area which is great.

“We will desperately need more volunteers, especially anyone willing to donate their time to help with building enclosures, painting, decorating, and putting in electrics.

“We also do rely on donations and will be looking for three new trustees from the local area to join the five we have already.

“We are all volunteers and it is very rewarding - no two days are the same.”

For more information visit http://www.wetheriggsanimalrescue.co.uk/ or call Mr Bowes on 07764-352835.