The owner of a County Tyrone animal farm has gone into business with an exotic animal TikToker.
TikTok creator Kyle Thomas previously tried to launch a zoo in County Antrim before shutting it down. His actions sparked some controversy as he housed animals that were considered to be dangerous in Northern Ireland such as capybara as well as other animals including wallabies, goats, foxes and poultry.
Last year, it was reported that what Mr. Thomas described as a ‘zoo’ was under investigation by The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
Now, he is entering into business with the co-owner of the Dyan Mill Farm outside Caledon in County Tyrone according to documents filed on Companies House.
Some of the pets Mr. Thomas posted about on social media now live at the farm including his meerkat Mylo, two monkeys, foxes and tree frogs.
The Dylan Mill farm is co-owned by husband and wife, Phillip and Marianne Hughes.
Speaking to his followers on TikTok, Mr. Thomas said: "As you guys know by now our first project was a little bit of a disaster. There were problems left right and centre and building a wildlife park came with a lot more complications than I thought and before I knew it the animals had to come off the land.
“It wasn't safe for them anymore and they weren't household pets so I didn't know where to go until I met this guy who was an absolute lifesaver.
"Although Philly and I are definitely different people we're actually very similar. Back in lockdown he bought this abandoned cornmill and turned it into something magical."
Mr. Phillip Hughes, owner of Dylan Mills Farm told Belfast Live: “I can confirm myself and Kyle are in business together. We are partners. I'd love to tell you all about it... it's quite exciting, we have a BBC documentary coming up shortly and I am limited to what I'm allowed to say."
Mr. Hughes was asked if he previous concerns about Mr. Thomas’s exotic animal influencing and said: "I can confirm he has definitely seen the errors of his ways and what went on in the past. From my point of view, if I could stop one person from buying an exotic animal, I would do it. That's the whole idea."
He also added: “Whilst myself and Kyle are in business together, it isn't a business we expect to generate profits and financial gains for ourselves.
"Everything we earn goes back into the premises... for the farm, it's used for the animals and for enclosures and doing all them things."
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