Zoo animals up for Christmas adoption

Published on Friday 14 November 2008 08:51

EDINBURGH Zoo is encouraging people to adopt an animal as an unusual Christmas gift.

The zoo has launched its 'Wild Christmas Gifts' campaign to promote some alternative gift ideas for thoughtful shoppers over the festive winter season.

By taking out animal adoption, adopters contribute to the cost of keeping and feeding the animals in the zoo's care.

They will also be contributing to conservation projects in the wild that are funded by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, the charity that owns Edinburgh Zoo.

Zoe Mobey, development manager at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, said:

"Traditionally during the festive season our most popular animals to be adopted are the penguins and Mercedes the polar bear, but we would also appeal to people to consider the other species with no adopters, such as our bleeding heart doves, blue-crowned laughing thrushes or our rhinoceros iguanas.

"The gifts of Animal Adoption and RZSS membership seem to appeal to the public because they are unusual gift ideas that contribute to caring for endangered species and last a whole year."

The deadline for ordering an animal adoption in time for Christmas is Friday, December 5.