If you are a letting agent in the Cardiff area, you may have had a letter from a keeper at Bristol Zoo inquiring about accommodation.

The complication is that the keeper does not just want accommodation for himself but also for some animals he’s looking after since their retirement from zoo life.

Stressing that the landlord will need to accept pets, he writes: “I’ll need a large bathtub as I’m looking after the Zoo’s famous Willy the Walrus now he’s in retirement.

“Also will need a large bird cage for my flamingo, preferably a room with good light exposure due to him needing African climate.

“Please do let me know of any properties you have.”

Taking the request in the spirit that it was written – ie, perfectly seriously – Keylet in Bristol has written back suggesting a seven-bedroom property, all en-suite, “so that Willy the Walrus won’t get told off for hogging the bathroom”.

If it is a very hot day, the agent suggests that Willy could enjoy a short stroll to a nearby lake to cool off.

In the kitchen, there are two fridges and two ovens – ideal for keeping human and animal food separate.

And in the lounge, there’s a large plasma TV, ideal for watching David Attenborough films.

We await with interest to hear whether the prospective tenant has booked a viewing.

Although, perhaps this zoo keeper might be interested in another property – a real zoo, a little further into Wales, near Aberystwyth.

It’s for sale, complete with animals, for £650,000.

Surprisingly, it’s on with Rightmove rather than Zoopla.