THE finishing touches are being made to a special project that is bringing animal magic to the outskirts of York.

Building work at Askham Bryan College was completed last month, and every day now brings another special arrival to its new animal care centre.

The centre will be fully up and running in September, and a spokesperson for the college said the animals were all settling in well.

The collection of birds, reptiles and small mammals has been set up to teach courses in animal care and animal management to degree level.

The inmates are kept as far as possible in their natural habitats.

Though not especially rare, some of the recent arrivals are interesting characters.

A rhea bird from South America which is famed for its cheeky persona and elongated legs and neck has arrived.

But when the Evening Press went round to photograph some of the other inhabitants, we found the meerkats unusually camera-shy.

They have become a regular attraction for passers-by, as the meerkats stare out of the care centre's window or lounge about outside in the sun.

The new care centre is the latest major development at the college, which recently saw a new glass house added to the horticulture unit.

Updated: 11:56 Tuesday, July 16, 2002