DESPITE the wet weather during 2012, the Curraghs Wildlife Park is celebrating a hugely successful year that saw higher visitor numbers, season ticket holders and shop sales than in 2011.
Juan Turner MLC, member with responsibility for the Curraghs Wildlife Park, said: ‘The Curraghs Wildlife Park is a great asset to the Isle of Man and is one of the most popular family attractions for tourists and locals alike.
‘There has been a huge amount of effort over the last couple of years to modernise and improve the park and there is now more to see and do at the park than ever before.’
He added: ‘The impressive performance this year is hugely encouraging and I’d like to thank everyone who has visited the park throughout the year.
‘For those who haven’t visited the park recently, we’d be delighted to welcome you in the coming weeks to see what we have to offer.’
The total number of visitors to the park increased by 6 per cent compared with 2011 and season ticket sales rose by 20 per cent.
Kathleen Graham, the park’s general manager, said: ‘Zoos are traditionally dependant on good weather to generate more visitors and with the poor weather at the beginning of summer, we were concerned.
‘However, we have been so well supported by our customers that we are on course for this being the best year, in terms of visitor numbers, the park has had since 2006.
‘I’d like to thank everyone who has visited the park in the last year and look forward to welcoming them back over Christmas and in the new year.’
Kathleen added: ‘We have worked hard on developing the park’s attractions and facilities.
‘The refurbished playground and play barn are really well used; the jumping pillow is great fun and the mini diggers are loved by kids big and small.
‘Major new animal additions such as the European Elk, Prairie Dogs and Sitatunga have settled in well and are proving to be favourites along with the infamous wallabies and lemurs.
‘The park’s newest celebrities Ugg the Spectacled Owl and the Fishing Cat kitten are also hugely popular.
‘We have more exciting news coming next year too.’
It’s not just the park’s entry numbers that have increased since last year. It has also been a record year for the gift shop. Following a refurbishment at the beginning of the year, revenue has increased by 63 per cent.
The Curraghs Wildlife Park is currently open at weekends and school holidays from 10am until 6pm.
