AS ESSENTIAL require-ments for a new des res go, a large pool, plenty of rocks and a beach probably won’t feature on too many wish lists.

That is, of course, unless you’re a sealion. And thanks to a £600,000 project unveiled by Knowsley Safari Park, Max, Biffo and Arthur – the resident sealisons – are all set for a life of luxury.

The idea of the new outdoor sealion aquarium is that visitors will be able to watch the sealions’ antics through-out the day. Park bosses are hoping it will last year’s record season with more visitors in 2008.

General manager, David Ross said: “It’s going to be another busy year. The new sealion exhibit will be particu-larly exciting as visitor surveys consistent-ly show they are one of the most popular attractions, second only to the baboons. Our intention is to provide the very best-possible conditions for all our exhibits and the new aquarium will create top-class accommodation for the sea-lions and give visitors exce llent views of them swimming and playing.We’re really looking forward to it opening at Easter.”

The park welcomed 523,000 people in the 12 months to the end of December, the best annual figure since 1972 – the first full year it was open for business.

Mr Ross, said: “Weeks of heavy rain and flooding in June and July had a big impact on us as they did on many visitor attrac-tions, so to finish the year with an increase is real achievement.” He said numbers were boosted by the opening of the Aerial Ex-treme adventure ropes course.

The biggest pole-based course in the UK – features 60 obstacles in-cluding rope bridges, scramble nets, zip wires, a climbing wall and a 50-foot, parachute-style, high-speed drop.

Other popular attractions inclu-ed two Red River Hogs, 10 lion cubs and a new woodland walk.

Keepers say a new white rhino calf is on the way, the fourth to be born at the park in three years. They also hope the African Hunt-ing Dogs andRed River Hogs will breed at Knowsley.

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