A COUNCIL is to step in and safeguard animals that face being put down after the closure of a Scottish zoo.
Fife Council is seeking an urgent court order to give it the legal powers to rehouse the 76 species of animals, including water buffalo, a zebra, meerkats and cabybaras following Monday's closure of Fife Animal Park.
It comes after animal welfare campaigners had warned the 10-acre park, owned by Peter and Jocky Lockhart, would have difficulty in finding suitable places for the exotic creatures.
Last night, the local authority said it wanted to reassure people that the animals were being cared for and were their main concern.
Roy Stewart, senior manager, Protective Services, said: "The welfare of the animals at Fife Animal Park is our primary concern at this time.
"The council will be applying to the courts for legal powers to re-home the animals as soon as we can.
Although Fife Council doesn't own the park or the animals it has a duty to protect them and legally they are now in our care.
"Since the park closed, the council has been working closely with the Trust staff, the SSPCA, British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums and charity regulator to ensure the animals in the park continue to get all of the care they need on a day to day basis.
"Whilst Fife Council has access to the park to ensure the welfare of the animals is upheld, we have not taken over operation of the park."
He added that the Lockharts, who do not own the animals, have allowed the council in to help and the park is out of bounds to visitors.
The council will be applying to the courts for legal powers to re-home the animals as soon as we can."
Popular animals include Agie the Highland cow and Houdini the goat.
No reason has been given for the closure that comes four months after the venue was put up for sale for £500,000.
The zoo had been already facing a probe by the charities watchdog.
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