Article Source: North Lanarkshire Council
Last Updated: 6 July 2016 15:42
The Children's Farm, Visitor Centre and cafeteria closed on 2 June to allow the issue to be dealt with.
However, following a successful eradication programme, park facilities have begun a phased re-opening.
Head of Environmental Assets Ken Forbes said: "We were very disappointed at having to close facilities but public health and animal safety had to come first.
"After taking advice from pest control specialists, we moved our animals to other areas around the park and removed likely sources of food while beginning to trap. At one stage, we brought in ferrets to help deal with the issue.
"The usual method would have been bait, but we had to ensure the safety of young children especially and family pets, as well as wildlife around Palacerigg."
Park facilities began opening on Saturday, 2 July and Sunday, 3 July with the Visitor Centre and Tractor Trail and limited access to the Children's farm. On Monday 4 July the Children's Farm was fully opened along with the playpark and on Tuesday 5 July the café reopens and full facilities, with the exception of the poultry pens, will open to the public.
Mr Forbes added: "We need to carry out work on the poultry pens to ensure they are not targeted again. This work is likely to take some time.
"However, to help us prevent future difficulties we are asking our visitors to ensure they dispose of their litter responsibly.
"Vermin, like all wildlife, is a constant presence whether we are aware of it or not. By removing or limiting available food sources we can better and more easily control their numbers and keep our facilities open for everyone's enjoyment."
Plans have been agreed for the redevelopment of the centre to create a near net zero health hub. This will include improved facilities for visitors and a reduction in carbon emissions by 90%.
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