BT teams up with Anna Ryder Richardson to help save lionesses
BT has provided a helping hand with the building of a new lion enclosure at Manor House Wildlife Park Zoo in Pembrokeshire.
BT’s local network business, Openreach, has teamed up with The Nature Foundation and Manor House Wildlife Park to provide 29 telegraph poles for a new residence for lioness Mery and her cubs Gita and Zita, who are due to arrive later this month.
The lions are being nursed back to health in a purpose–built compound in Armenia after being rescued from a private zoo where they were being kept in appalling conditions. This can only be a temporary measure as the lionesses are still in cages and need to be brought to quarantine facilities at Manor House Wildlife Park Zoo, where they will be free to roam an enclosure.
The plight of the lionesses drew the attention of The Nature Foundation chief executive and Manor House Wildlife Park owner, Anna Ryder Richardson, who has worked hard to find the lionesses a permanent safe home.
Anna Ryder Richardson said: “After months of fundraising, I am delighted that The Nature Foundation is able to bring the lionesses to their new forever home in Pembrokeshire.
“These beautiful creatures have known terrible suffering and we can now make sure that they are safe and healthy at Manor Wildlife Park. We have so many individuals and organisations to thank for helping us achieve this and none more so than BT and Openreach.
“The incredible support provided by BT and Openreach has made a huge difference to the campaign and means that we will be welcoming Mery and her girls to Pembrokeshire in the next few weeks.”
Work on erecting the telegraph poles, that will be used as part of the enclosure’s fence, was completed over the bank holiday weekend by both BT volunteers working alongside staff from Manor House Wildlife Park Zoo.
Alwen Williams, director for BT Cymru Wales, said: “We’re delighted to have been able to help Anna and the Nature Foundation in their ambition to help rescue these lionesses.”
“I look forward to seeing Mery and her cubs settling in and enjoying their new surroundings in Pembrokeshire.”
With the lionesses arriving at their new home in September, the race is now on to complete their brand new enclosure on time.
