AN APPEAL to raise £750,000 to build a state-of-the-art giraffe exhibit at a conservation park in Easter Compton has been launched.

Organised by the Bristol zoological Society, the immersive centre at Wild Place Project will symbolise the work the charity will be carrying out in Africa to protect giraffes.

Poaching, habitat loss and the bushmeat trade have meant that there is a real chance they will become extinct. Their population has fallen from 140,000 to less than 80,000 in 15 years.

Dr Bryan Carroll, Bristol Zoological Society’s CEO says: “Now is the time to fight for the survival of giraffes in the wild.

“At Wild Place Project we want to give people an unforgettable experience with giraffes whilst being at the forefront of conserving giraffes in the wild.

“We want the people of Bristol and beyond to take ownership and be proud of the giraffe house and what it will mean for the future of giraffes in the wild.”

Giraffes will join the zebra and eland in Wild Place Project’s ‘Edge of Africa’ exhibit. The Giraffe House will offer guests the opportunity to come face-to-face with giraffes from its high-level viewing platform.

Wild Place Project opened in summer 2013 and has since introduced cheetahs, wolves, red river hogs and 12 metre adventure climbing wall, Leap of Faith.

Bryan added: “The public has shown us a great deal of support throughout Wild Place Project’s development and we are proud to be advancing on all fronts with a Giraffe House which will represent the conservation work we’ll be doing in Africa to save the world’s tallest land mammal.”

To find out more or to make a donation, visit: www.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/giraffehouse or check out the society’s fundraising video: http://www.wildplace.org.uk/explore-park/giraffe-house-appeal.

For more information about the project visit www.wildplace.org.uk or phone 0117 980 7175.