Isle of Man Stamps & Coins - 50th Anniversary of the Curraghs Wildlife Park

In celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the Curraghs Wildlife Park, Isle of Man Stamps and Coins has released a new set of stamps and other collectable items, which depict some of the endangered species which have successfully bred during the park's long history.

Set in a natural wetland habitat, the Curraghs Wildlife Park, together with the surrounding area has been designated a RAMSAR site (a wetland of great importance) and is a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquaria (BIAZA) and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA); participating in breeding programmes as part of a worldwide effort to manage populations of captive endangered species.

During the past fifty years the Curraghs Wildlife Park has successfully bred a number of endangered birds and animals, several of which feature in the collection issued by Isle of Man Stamps and Coins; including fishing cats, red pandas, Humboldt penguins, Waldrapp ibis and Rodrigues fruit bats.

Isle of Man Stamps and Coins General Manager, Maxine Cannon, said "We are delighted with the stamps and other collectables which showcase many of the rare endangered species in the park - they would make the perfect gift for young philatelists and animal lovers. Collaborating with so many local photographers within the Isle of Man Photographic Society has also been a great way to promote the important conservation work that has been taking place at the park over the last half century."

This special set of stamps, postcards, first day covers and presentation packs highlight work done by members of the Isle of Man Photographic Society, with accompanying details of each animal or bird from the Curraghs Wildlife Park.

Tina Jauncey, Duty Manager at the Curraghs Wildlife Park, commented, "Curraghs Wildlife Park is proud to collaborate with Isle of Man Post Office on its fiftieth anniversary to present a set of stamps that beautifully depict some of the world's most endangered species kept within the park, images courtesy of the Isle of Man Photographic Society. The stamps will be officially launched on 3 July and to celebrate this momentous occasion, admission to the park on the anniversary day will be half price and a whole host of other celebrations are also planned for the weekend."

The presentation packs also remember the late Patricia Harvey of the Isle of Man Photographic Society, wildlife park photographer and loyal supporter of the Curraghs Wildlife Park.

www.iompost.com

Valerie Caine
© July 2015