Tyla

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Not now
OK
Advert
Advert
Advert

David Attenborough Is Campaigning To Raise £12million To Save London Zoo

Mary-Jane Wiltsher

Published 
| Last updated 

David Attenborough Is Campaigning To Raise £12million To Save London Zoo

Featured Image Credit: PA

Broadcasting legend Sir David Attenborough is fronting a campaign to raise £12 million to save London Zoo.

The funds raised will go to the London site and its partner zoo, Whipsnade, which staff have warned are "at risk of extinction" after 12 weeks of closure in lockdown.

Both zoos reopened a week ago, but with visitor numbers limited due to social distancing and three month's lost trade to make up for, bosses warn the zoos still risk financial ruin.

With visitor numbers limited due to social distancing and three month's lost trade to make up for, bosses warn the zoos risk financial ruin (Credit: PA)
With visitor numbers limited due to social distancing and three month's lost trade to make up for, bosses warn the zoos risk financial ruin (Credit: PA)
Advert

Speaking to The Sunday Times about the campaign, Sir David said: "What happens if you can't raise the money to keep the animals? What happens if you can't afford the food? Are we supposed to put them down?"

"The immediate prospect of the zoo going financially bust is too awful to think of. Are we, or are we not, a civilised community that it can't support a zoo?"

Throughout the crisis, the zoos have continued to feed and care for their animal residents without revenue from visitors.

London Zoo is home to over 18,000 animals, with the monthly food bill clocking in at around £43,500.

Advert

Bedfordshire site Whipsnade, meanwhile, houses more than 2,000 animals.

London Zoo is home to over 18,000 animals, with the monthly food bill clocking in at around £43,500 (Credit: PA)
London Zoo is home to over 18,000 animals, with the monthly food bill clocking in at around £43,500 (Credit: PA)

Sir David, who began his career in broadcasting by presenting the BBC series Zoo Quest in 1954, stressed the educational and scientific importance of zoos for society.

"No television programme can replace the actual reality of standing close to an elephant or for a child to understand what an elephant is," he said.

Advert

"When you stand alongside the thing, where you can smell it, you can hear its stomach rumbling - the reality of what wild creatures are."

The presenter went on to say that it would be a "scandal" if the country couldn't save the zoos from ruin.

"A zoo is a very important thing scientifically. London was the first scientific zoo in the world, founded nearly 200 years ago, and has been at the forefront of technology and advances ever since then."

Sir David said that it would be
Sir David said that it would be
Advert

"If this country can't support it, it would be a scandal," he added.

The news comes as many zoos around the country face uncertain futures.

Earlier this month, The Wild Planet Trust said it would not reopen its Living Coasts site because they did not have the funds to foot the bill for "substantial maintenance costs" incurred due to Covid-19.

There were fears that some animals would have to be euthanised but a statement from the trust confirmed that new homes for its residents had been found.

Advert

"Following the announcement on Monday that Living Coasts in Torquay, Devon will not be re-opening as a visitor attraction following its closure during the current global coronavirus pandemic, Wild Planet Trust is pleased to announce that it has already found homes for its animals.

"Living Coasts is part of a world-wide network of zoos and aquariums, and this community has come together to re-home the animals in their specialist facilities.

Lost ticket revenue and continued social distancing mean many zoos around the country face uncertain futures (Credit: PA)
Lost ticket revenue and continued social distancing mean many zoos around the country face uncertain futures (Credit: PA)

"The animals will not be moved immediately as moving animals to other zoos and aquariums is a complex process."

Topics: lockdown, News, david attenborough, Wildlife, Animals, Nature

Mary-Jane Wiltsher
More like this
Advert
Advert
Advert

Chosen for YouChosen for You

Entertainment

New BBC iPlayer show has 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating with viewers already calling for season two

8 minutes ago

Most Read StoriesMost Read

Gypsy Rose Blanchard announces separation from husband just months after serving prison sentence

3 hours ago