WATCH: Black Isle animal attraction exploits loophole to stay open
Newly named Black Isle Country Park opens for free
Bosses at the Black Isle Wildlife Park have found a way to keep the controversial North Kessock attraction open.
Alison Gallagher, a spokesperson for the family-run, and now re-branded Black Isle Country Park told MFR News: "At the moment the zoo licence has expired, and we are waiting for the entertainment licence to be heard at the next council applications committee.
"Until then, rather than close the park, where the animals will suffer, what we decided was, that we'd have free admission."
The Drumsmittal site has suspended entrance fees to avoid needing a licence, but instead visitors are now being asked for donations to help feed the animals and cover the cost of upkeep.
Footfall has suffered since a vet inspection critisized the way that exotic animals were being kept, which led to a media storm of negative press.
Park owners voluntarily surrendered their licence a while ago, and now they're re-applying for a licence which will allow them to charge the public to come and see domestic animals only.