Chester Zoo sends message of ‘renewed hope’ as £2.2m raised to save it

Chester Zoo has issued a message of ‘renewed hope’ after launching the Save The Zoo campaign and surpassing £2.2m in a matter of days. 

Chester Zoo is the UK’s biggest charity zoo and earlier this week they announced they are facing debts of £24m by the end of the year, due to the coronavirus pandemic closure of the attraction.

They have over 35,000 animals to take care of and bosses have said the lack of admissions have left them ‘fighting’ for their future.

Estimates put the costs incurred monthly by the zoo to look after the animals and plants at around £465,000.

In a matter of days the zoo has raised more than £2.2m with the support of over 100,000 people. 

They wrote on Twitter that the ‘fight continues’ but there is ‘renewed hope’ after a week they will ‘never forget’. 

The zoo’s first plea lead the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, to address the potential reopening of zoos, however he did not provide an exact date when they’ll reopen to the public.

Speaking from Downing Street, he said: “It’s something close to my heart because Chester Zoo is fantastic. Coming from Chester myself I know it extremely well.

“I hope we can open them in a safe way.” 

To donate to the Save Our Zoo JustGiving page click here.