How you can help Twycross Zoo during the pandemic

Twycross Zoo has furloughed staff but says it still costs £650,000 per month to keep the zoo going.

The charity says it desperately needs funds to keep going. 

£5 could buy hay for the zebras.

£100 could buy a weeks' worth of fish for the penguins to eat. 

£500 could feed the critically endangered Sumatran tigers for one month. 

£5,000 would provide full care for the troop of chimpanzees for one month. 

As part of the monthly running costs, Twycross Zoo spends £25,000 on all the feed needed for the 500 animals. 

The zoo says despite furloughing 50 percent of its staff and retaining only essential keyworkers in its 200 strong workforce, it still needs to meet costs of over £650,000 a month to keep running. 

Easter weekend would have been one of the busiest weekends in the year for Twycross Zoo and with the gates closed the primary income has now stopped but the Zoo must continue to care for the animals on site. 

The conservation charity is appealing to the public to donate money to help it continue. 

Chief Executive Officer, Dr Sharon Redrobe OBE told Fosse 107  "As a charity we are experiencing uncertain time and we have never needed our visitors, supporters and our wider zoo community to come together more than we do today." 

Hear our interview with Dr Sharon Redrobe here: 

“For over 500 animals and over half of our staff, our normal routine continues, despite the gates being closed to visitors. Whether the visitors come or not the excellent work and care provided by our keepers and vets continues. In times of crisis like this our charity work to protect and provide care to many critically endangered animals is as critical now as ever."

You can donate by visiting Twycross Zoo's website