Animals 'contribute' to Park of Friendship's upkeep

Monkeys, peacocks, ferrets, ponies and exotic birds are among the animals on show at the Leslie William Stubbs Animal Park, in Marsascala.

The animal park is a source of income for the Park of Friendship, of which it is part. Marketing and events manager Bradley Dingli explained that it costs about Lm250,000 a year to run the Park of Friendship, which helps about 1,000 people with disability.

Apart from helping in the financing of therapy, the animals are also used to help people with disability.

"The animals are also used for therapy because they keep the clients calm and are also a source of fun for them. We had many emotional moments when children who had never laughed did so for the first time while riding a horse or playing with the other animals," he said.

Mr Dingli said all the animals have names and many times people with disability form a special attachment to one of the animals.

He said school children who are brought on school visits to the park also enjoy themselves with the animals. The children can feed the animals, go horse-riding and play with them.

Because the animals are used to people, with many being brought up at the park, the children can play with them to their hearts' content. Mr Dingli said the ferret is especially friendly because it was born at the park and loves being patted by children.

The park also serves as an attraction to adults who marvel at the white peacocks there.

Mr Dingli explained it cost about Lm25 a day to feed the animals and this apart veterinary costs.

"None of the animals were bought but all of them were donated," he said.

The park was opened by Prince Edward in 1996. It was donated by Paddy Stubbs, who named it Leslie William Stubbs, in his father's memory.

In a bid to raise funds to help in the running costs of the Park of Friendship, the animal park is open to the public and parties for children are also held there. It also organises car boot sales on Sundays.

The park can be contacted on 2163 4412 or by e-mail at info@razzett.org.