I WOULD like to comment on the recent press coverage of Lomi, Blackpool Zoo's gorilla, following her treatment at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

Mr Williams has stated that Lomi, one of the zoo's gorillas, is part of an "international breeding programme" that Blackpool Zoo is involved in.

My memory is obviously at fault, so can the zoo or Mr Williams, remind me exactly how many gorillas have been bred there? How is the zoo involved in the breeding programme and what, if any, contribution has Blackpool Zoo made to it? The answer to this question of course is nil. Mr Williams might not have realised but building a fancy gorilla habitat in captivity doesn't actually help conserve gorillas in the wild.

How odd the zoo has chosen the gorilla as its symbol, yet it has achieved nothing for the conservation of this species. A great deal of coverage greeted the opening of Gorilla Island, yet I understand that they will only use it in very warm weather -- about 20per cent of the year. What a pity that all the money, time and effort has not been spent on genuine conservation, preserving gorillas and their habitats in the wild. This would have accomplished something 'real' for gorillas, which is more than the zoo has ever done so far, and certainly more than it is ever likely to do based on its track record to date.

P Simpson, Cherry Tree Road, Blackpool.