The wildlife park at Pyes Pa is closing for good at the end of February.

The Living Art and Wildlife Park was to close last year when it had financial difficulty, but, public donations kept it afloat.

Caroline Paterson with guinea pigs that need a new home.

Now, owners Mark and Caroline Paterson say they can no longer continue to be 'propped up” by the community.

'We didn't want people to keep dipping into their pockets,” says Mark.

He says they wanted to have the chance to say thank you to everyone for supporting them.

'These last two winters have just killed us. Along with the recession – just like everyone else.”

Mark says counting all the fish and birds they probably have close to 600 animals with a large portion needing adoption into new homes.

Some will be given away, and some will be sold.

The park features reptiles including turtles and tortoises, fish; from sea horses to marine reef, farm animals, ducks, chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs, and an array of birds.

Mark says, however, they are still looking at one option to open a small operation at the Historic Village with the animals they keep.