Picture gallery: Linton Zoo doing a roaring trade in big cat bedding... and zebra poo

Linton Zoo has been using a novel way to raise funds for the conservation projects it supports.

As part of its recycling and ‘go green’ policy, the popular tourist attraction has been doing a roaring trade in big cat bedding and exotic hoof stock dung.

Zoo director Kim Simmons explains: “The big cat bedding seems to work very well as natural pest repellent, with reports that it’s effective with cats, rabbits, badgers, foxes and deer.

“So for those of you who don’t want your neighbours’ cat or local deer rooting around your prize winning flower garden try a bag of straw taken from a big cats bedrooms, the smell of which could scare off even the bravest cat in the neighbourhood!”

She added: “Our special zebra and tapir poo composting mix is great to enrich your garden and encourage the growth of healthy plants, beautiful blooms and bumper vegetable crops the environmentally friendly way.

“Tapirs are important forest seed dispersers so their dung is effectively ‘Zoo poo surprise’. We have found melons, pumpkins, kiwi, raspberries and even date palms popping up in our gardens. Despite this our plants thrive in soil enriched with our homemade compost.”

For a minimum donation of £1 per bag, it’s also helping the zoo to raise vital funds for its wildlife charities.

The big cat bedding and zoo poo can be picked up at the front gate. If you are making a special trip out, call first for availability, on 01223 891308 or e-mail lintonzoo@hotmail.co.uk