LIFE is good for the furry and feathered residents of Flamingo Land, according to a recent report which praised the attraction for the state of its zoo.

Under government rules, zoos must be inspected before their six-year licences can be renewed.

Flamingo Land got the once-over last November, and the three vets who visited the park credited staff in six areas and asked for improvement in only two.

The owners of the park can now look forward to another six-year licence being granted when Ryedale District Council's general services and licensing committee meets next week.

Among the areas of credit were the geographical theming to areas of the zoo and the upgrading of veterinary facilities.

There was also praise for what inspectors say was a "positive approach and adoption of an overall zoo strategy which will improve both public perception and the welfare of animals within the zoo".

Staff were asked to replace damaged glass tops to aquarium tanks, and they were also told that keeping an incubation facility in the zoo kitchen is "inappropriate".

Inspectors also asked for an assurance that the park rides would make no further encroachment on to zoo land.

This was a comment aimed at the most recent ride to be built at Flamingo Land, the Magnum Force, part of which jutted out on to the zoo's territory.

A park spokesperson said: "All the zoo staff and company directors were thrilled with the glowing report received from the zoo inspectors in November.

"Although as a company we are aware of all the hard work that goes into keeping the standards so high within the zoo, it is a great reward when these efforts are not only noticed but highly commended by an official body. Given this, morale is currently at a high among zoo staff."

The spokesperson said success could, in part, be put down to refurbishment of existing animal exhibits and the introduction of new ones as well as plans for a new education centre.

Commenting on the report's recommendation on ride encroachment, the senior zoo spokesman said there were no future plans for the theme park and the rides to be extended into the zoo area.

"If there were any plans, they would not contain any detrimental effects to the animals or the enclosures," the spokesman said.

Updated: 10:10 Saturday, February 10, 2001