BLACKPOOL Council has defended national newspaper claims that it traded in some of the world's most endangered species while in charge of the resort's zoo.

The council have admitted buying two rare snake-eating Kea birds and a tree shrew from Belgian animal dealer, Chris Bienvenue, during its management of Blackpool Zoo in 2001 and 2002.

The Observer accused Bienvenue of selling animals to undercover reporters, with secret cameras, from his trading farm, the controversial Herne Breeding Centre in Belgium, on March 29.

A council spokesman said: "At the time of these purchases Blackpool Zoo acted in good faith believing the animals had been bred at Herne Breeding Centre.

"The Zoo's management did not break any rules as all animal movements were carried out under approved European regulations and complied with DEFRA advice.

"With regard to the acquisition and movement of rare breed animals, official regulations have been complied with at all times."

The council, transferred operation of the zoo in a 125-year deal with US firm, Grant Leisure Ltd, on April 1 last year.

The newspaper alleged that Blackpool, along with two other UK zoos, Hamerton and Chessington, regularly bought and sold rare breeds through Bienvenue despite strict EU guidelines recommending the 'no cash' trading of "surplus" wildlife between approved centres only.

In addition it has emerged the three zoos may have ignored a warning against trading with Bienvenue issued by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) in 2000.

Lib-Dem European spokesman on the environment, Chris Davies MEP, said: "There is absolutely no question the council should have checked into the credentials of this person before buying the animals.

"I find it incredible that a council-backed zoo authority would not be able to uncover any information about this individual and his operation beforehand."

Will Travers, director of leading animal rights group, the Born Free Foundation, added: "Animals should only be traded between organisations where the conditions are equal to those found in EAZA zoos.

"In February this year the association publicly declared zoos should not buy or trade with animal dealers at all.

"Clearly there seems to be conflict between what the council and Blackpool Zoo are claiming and the EAZA constitution to which it supposedly subscribes.

"There is also the matter of the EAZA warning against Bienvenue. It's still not clear if the zoo chose to ignore it completely or were simply not aware of the existence of it."

A Grant Leisure spokesman said: "We can offer our assurances that Blackpool Zoo adheres to guidelines and policies issued by the Zoological Federation of Britain and Ireland and EAZA over the movement and acquisition of animals.

"Blackpool Borough Council has taken a very responsible position on insisting that this adherence is paramount in our operations."