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THE INDEPENDENT ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER WITH LOCAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL NEWS
FRIDAY 3rd OCTOBER TO THURSDAY 16th OCTOBER 2014 BOOST FOR MARKET
EDITION 510
PAGE 10
GEOPARK STATUS CONFIRMED A FIVE STAR PROJECT
PAGE 16
PAGES 40-41
Another first for Loro Parque
L
ORO Parque at Puerto de la Cruz has once again proved itself a world leader when it comes to animal conservation.
The famous zoo, no stranger to notching up a string of global firsts, has opened a major new attraction known as “Animal Embassy”. The new area of more than 2,200 square metres is dedicated to educating visitors of all ages about the importance of respect for the environment and the animal kingdom. It features five new buildings and a theme inspired by a native African village, complete with mud huts, and will explain just how Loro Parque has become acclaimed for its international work. Six years ago, Loro Parque was the first zoo in the world to receive the “Biosphere Park-Animal Embassy” certificate awarded by the Institute of Responsible Tourism. The ethos of the new area is that the animals themselves are their own ambassadors and as such receive all the care and attention of a diplomatic representative. It’s another firm commitment to ecology and preservation of the planet.
OIL PROTESTS: “WE FIGHT ON!”
T
HE Canary Islands has no intention of giving up the fight against oil exploration, despite the date of test drilling drawing ever closer.
Representatives of dozens of groups say they will campaign to the very end and are planning more demonstrations across the archipelago and in Spain on October 18th. Lanzarote, Tenerife, El Hierro, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura were all represented when another protest meeting was held last week to discuss a new plan of action. A plea is being made direct to the European Union and to MEPs to put a block on Repsol sinking test oil wells off the coast of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote even at this late stage. The “Office of Global Action of Lanzarote Cabildo” says it already has support from 75 MEPs from 33 political parties of 20 member states of the EU and it expects this number to
grow considerably in the coming weeks. The countries already include Spain, Portugal, Denmark, Hungary, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Croatia, Sweden, Belgium. Austria, UK, France, Greece, Germany, Czech Republic, Finland, Ireland, Cyprus and Italy. This initiative is just one of those planned at European level. Protestors say Europe must put an immediate ban on Repsol’s plan and concentrate on finding other sources of sustainable energy. Meantime, the Canary Government is finalising plans for a local referendum, even though Spain says this will make no difference and has no legality. People will be able to vote on whether they want oil drilling or not. The referendum is likely to be held in November.
Cabildo pledges its support for insular road
B
USINESS leaders in the south of Tenerife have been pressing the Cabildo to spend four million euros on completing the insular road
ring.
Representatives of the Business Circle South say the authority appears to be willing to do so following a meeting last week. The organisation believes completion of the ring from
Santiago del Teide to Adeje is essential for progress and prosperity of the island as it would be key to communications. CEST met with the Cabildo’s councillor for roads, José Luis
Delgado who indicated the Cabildo was willing to make the investment, even though the sole responsibility actually lies with the Canar y Government. At the moment, the Cabildo and the Canary Government are finalising some changes to the section between Santiago del Teide and the Barranco de Erques in Adeje.