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Strange Things Happened on My Way to the Zoo
| Author: Mike Thomas |
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| ISBN: 9780906720738 |
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| Description: |
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‘If it hadn’t been for the strange things that happened on my way to the zoo, I never would have got there.’ So says Mike Thomas, who left his childhood home in Wales to teach, and in Cornwall became an entrepreneur, an owner of the Seal Sanctuary, then owner of Newquay Zoo. ‘I didn’t know a lot about zoos, but I did know Gerald Durrell’s Jersey Zoo. It was my inspiration.’ When Mike bought Newquay Zoo it was an ailing tourist attraction, and in the early years it seemed it would sink under a mountain of debt. But with a passionate concern for the welfare of the animals in his care, a dedicated staff, and help and advice from colleagues at other zoos, Mike made the Zoo a place he was proud of.
Informative and entertaining, this book is a must for animal lovers, and for everyone interested in conservation and education.
‘I have spent many happy times walking through Newquay Zoo with Mike, and though I knew how dedicated he was, I had no idea just how much hard work was involved in turning that limping duck of a business into the soaring eagle it became during his ten years’ ownership. From broken ankles to escaping apes, from the beast of Bodmin Moor to the devastation of foot and mouth, this is a story told from the heart, by a man with astonishing dedication to the animal world and the wider welfare of our planet and the people who live upon it. Well done Mike, you owned a zoo… not many can say that!’ (Phillip Schofield, Television Presenter)
‘A very enjoyable read, and brought back interesting memories of what must have been one of the strangest applications of DNA identification, even if it failed to identify the Beast. It also brought back very pleasant recollections of the days that my family and I have spent at Newquay Zoo – it might be small, but it is great!’ (Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys, Geneticist)
‘I loved visiting Newquay Zoo with my son when Mike Thomas owned it. There was always something new happening, and the place had a special atmosphere. (I was also extremely grateful when my son’s two very small turtles were adopted and given a home at Newquay.) Strange Things Happened on My way to The Zoo, is a wonderfully entertaining and enlightening account of the unusual and circuitous journey Mike Thomas made before eventually owning a Zoo. It is also a joy to discover what being the owner of a Zoo really entails.’ (Jenny Agutter, Actress)
Part of the proceeds from sales of this book will be donated to the Children’s Hospice South West Precious Lives Appeal.
You can use Google Book Search to look inside this book here.
Mike Thomas was born in Wales. He spent a number of years teaching, and subsequently ran several successful businesses in Cornwall.
1st edition
Paperback
160 pages
112 colour and black and white photographs
210 x 148 mm
25.05.10
Acknowledgements
Early Daze
Tone Deafness is in the Ear of the Beholder
Chalk on My Hands
We are Sailing
The Furries at the Bottom of the Garden
A Step in the Right Direction
Marine Daze
Fur Coats and Wetsuits
Waving Goodbye to Mermaids
I See No Pigs
A Royal Soaking
A Royal Birth
Liberal Views
Politics Pay Dividends
Not a Fish Out of Water
No Sale Ahead
War and Peace
Full Sale Ahead
Zoo Daze
Daybreak
Bad News
The Strong Wind of Change
A Very Tasty Rainforest
Home, Sweet Home
And Sheep May Safely Graze
P… P… P… Pick Up a Penguin
A Loose Kneecap
The Coronation of the New King
Birds in Paradise
Where the Grass Might be Greener
Who’s a Pretty Boy, Then?
Lame Kangaroos Can’t Jump
Dining Out with a Friend
Blockbuster
Kept in the Dark
Mrs Griffiths’ Roast Potatoes
Grinners in the Mist
A Time of Convenience
Marc’s Arc
HQ was all it was Cracked up to Be
Paw Prince
Once Upon A Time Big Cats Were Kittens
Putting One’s Foot in It
Sheepdog
The Rising Phoenix
Nice to See You
Where Have all the Cows Gone?
A Lion’s Tale
Visitors from the Sky
Bangers and Mash
Back to the Future
Beginning at the End
‘Newquay Zoo is now ... a foreunner in effective wildlife conservation – but the journey there was a long and rocky one. ... Mike Thomas shows the hairy highs and tough-skinned lows ... in a tale that sees the zoo rise from a debt-ridden facility to the success it has become.’ (Newquay Voice, 05.05.10)
‘gives a real insight into the enormous dedication it takes to revive an ailing business and to create a successful tourist attraction.’ (Western Morning News, 22.05.10) You can read the full review and see photos from the book here.
‘an informative and entertaining book about Mike's life with the rare animals at Newquay Zoo’ (BBC Radio Cornwall, 27.05.10). Mike Thomas spoke about his early days at the zoo in an interview with BBC Radio Cornwall's Martin Bailie. You can read about this and hear his memories here.
‘Mike is a man with vision and stature and very clear, very good ideas. He's an intelligent man and a good thinker’ (ZooChat, 02-04-10)
‘A great wildlife adventure in his own back yard ... "The happiest decade of my life" is how Mike Thomas describes his 10 years' ownership of Newquay Zoo.’ (The Cornishman and West Briton 15.07.10. You can read the whole review here.)
‘Mike Thomas ... is fortunate indeed to have the ability to narrate his tales in such a charming way ... a great read.’ (Cornwall Today, August 2010)
‘a highly entertaining book about his experiences’ (Cornish Guardian, 04.08.10. You can read the whole review here.)
‘Mike Thomas paints a delightful pen portrait of childhood at Siloam... of walking in the forest, of tickling trout and of the activities and characters of Siloam Baptist Chapel. ...
‘Mike Thomas has led a remarkable life’ (Western Morning News, 17.08.10. You can read the whole review here.)
Mike was invited to speak at the Daphne du Maurier Festival in May 2010. |
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RRP: £7.95 |
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£7.15
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