BLACKPOOL Zoo is collecting signatures on a petition and educating local school children about the dangers of animal extinction caused by hunting.

So far more than 6,000 visitors have signed the petition at the zoo which, along with hundreds of other animal parks throughout Europe, is supporting the European Association of Zoos & Aquaria (EAZA) International Bush Meat Campaign.

EAZA says that bush meat trade is threatening Africa's great apes with extinction and adds: "If current hunting levels continue unchanged it is thought there will be no gorillas left in the wild within 10 years".

Blackpool Zoo manager Iain Valentine said: "This is a very frightening prospect. In some areas gorillas are very close to extinction and despite international efforts there are no guarantees that this disaster can be averted." Blackpool Zoo has already raised and donated more than £2,000 for the Dian Fossey Gorilla Foundation which cares for and protects mountain gorillas in the wild. However, even their numbers are dangerously threatened. The petition forms are available at Blackpool Zoo's entrance so that any local residents who would like to support the campaign can go along and add their signature before the October closing date.