'STRANGE Things Happened on My Way to the Zoo' — they do indeed in this book by the former owner of Newquay Zoo, Mike Thomas.

Inspired by the naturalist, zookeeper, conservationist, author, and television presenter Gerald Durrell and his example at Jersey Zoo, Mike bought the Cornish zoo when it was an ailing tourist attraction.

Despite the mounting debts Mike, from South Wales, turned it around with a passionate concern for the welfare of animals in his care, a dedicated staff, and help and advice from colleagues in other zoos.

What comes out from the pages is his sheer passion for wildlife and their preservation.

As it says on the back cover, 'informative and entertaining, this book is a must for animal lovers, and for everyone interested in conservation and education'.

Rightly so, but this is also a biographical journey, as Mike Thomas concludes. Before he became a zoo owner he was a teacher, a manufacturer of spiral stairways, a designer, a managing director of a seal sanctuary before taking up the challenge of Newquay Zoo.

Now to that he can add author.

Mike tells of his encounters over the years — backed up with many a photograph — with a host of celebrities he has met at the Seal Sanctuary in Gweek or at the zoo, such as Prince Charles, Rolf Harris, Jenny Agutter, Paddy Ashdown and Phillip Schofield.

However the real stars of the book are the many varieties of animals Mike and his staff have cared for over the years.

My particular favourite is a seal called 'Dracula' — who, being blind, nearly took his keeper's hand off because he could not distinguish between fish and fingers when it came to feeding time.

There are many such tales of his life with the animals — and the author tells them in an entertaining, but down to earth, style which makes this book one that will enthral many.

Priced at £7.95 it is published by Alison Hodge,Penzance, Cornwall.

ISBN-13 978-0906720-73-8