Animal lovers can bear-ly wait for Wild Ireland to open its gates tomorrow (Friday) and meet its fascinating residents.
The animal sanctuary, located at Dundrain, Burnfoot has been six years in the making. It is the dream project of Killian McLaughlin, a solicitor from Buncrana who has a lifelong passion for rescuing and rehabilitating animals.
Killian has dedicated the sanctuary to housing animals which were once native to Ireland – including three amazing brown bears, European wolves, a lynx (the original Celtic Tiger), an otter and red deer. Other animals include red foxes, ferrets, an owl, over 30 waterfowl, and a boar is expected to make his home there in the coming days.
All the animals were rescued from cruel circumstances, circuses and the illegal pet trade. Killian has worked closely with three international charities to save the creatures and bring them to Ireland, where he has designed a 23-acre woodland to rehabilitate them into natural surroundings.
The three brown bears, some of the park’s most talked-about residents, were rescued from a museum in Lithuania. There, they were kept in a concrete cage. Only now, in Donegal, are the bears adjusting to feeling grass under their feet, swimming in a pond and playing with trees.
A brown bear at Wild Ireland
Speaking to Donegal Daily, Killian said he hopes that a visit to the park will be as educational as it is entertaining.
Watch the video below:
Where is Wild Ireland?
Located at F93 K796, Wild Ireland is situated in woodlands near White Oaks Addiction Treatment Centre.
When is it open?
From Friday 25th October. The park is open every day from 10am – 4pm
How much is entry?
Admission is €10 per adult, €8 per child.
For more information and frequently asked questions, check out: www.wildireland.org
Tags:
