Animal rights protesters targeted Flamingo Land yesterday in a row over conditions provided for the theme park's polar bear.

About 25 campaigners from North Yorkshire Animal Protection gathered outside the park gates to give out leaflets and lobby visitors.

In response, Flamingo Land staff handed out leaflets defending the park's treatment of its animals, and Director Gordon Gibb personally escorted one protester away from the gates.

The group said they were highlighting the life of the park's polar bear, Mandy.

They claim she is being driven mad by her living conditions.

"Just look at the state of her living space," said NYAP spokesperson Jenny Ward.

"There is nothing even approaching snow and ice, there is little or nothing providing any mental stimulus.

"The park have even painted an ice floe-type picture on the back wall of her enclosure, which is just pathetic,"

"By pacing up and down and rubbing her chest she is showing classic signs of distress, something that is hardly surprising."

Ms Ward acknowledged that Mandy could never be released into the wild again, but claimed there were places that could provide better care than Flamingo Land.

She added: "It would have to be a gradual process. But we would start by finding somewhere that at least had some snow and ice.

"Anywhere has got to be better than here,"

However, park director Gordon Gibb hit back, pointing out the high levels of care Mandy has always received at Flamingo Land.

The fact that she has lived to the age of 35 - rather than the average of 17 or 18 polar bears reach in the wild - shows that "something is being done right," he said.

Mr Gibb added: "I don't know a great deal about this group, but I believe they are targeting zoos and Mandy in particular.

"Well, I will say that Mandy, just like all our animals, is very highly cared for here by staff who have nothing apart from her best interests at heart.

"Yes, single exhibits aren't ideal, but to us there would appear to be only one alternative - euthanasia.

"Quite obviously, that is not an option and as far as we are concerned, we are quite happy to let her live out her natural life here in the park."

Updated: 09:23 Tuesday, April 17, 2001