WATCH: Zoo's emergency appeal raises £1m

Tuesday 06 October 2020

An urgent fundraising appeal to see the Zoo through the virus crisis has generated £1m.

CEO Dr Lesley Dickie launched the 'Love Your Zoo' initiative in June alongside a call to islanders to help the island's key conservation site fight for its survival.

Dr Dickie explained that it costs £200,000 a month to look after the 1,200 animals who live at the zoo and maintain the site, while there are also additional costs for infrastructure and staff wages.

At the time, she said that, despite reopening its gates to visitors in May following lockdown, the zoo was still tracking against “a worst-case scenario” budget – based on a potential second closure later on this year - amid low numbers of tourists coming into the island.

Video: The Zoo's staff - and residents - expressed their gratitude in a short film.

But the Zoo have announced this morning that, thanks to the generosity of supporters, it has now reached its fundraising target of £1m.

"We have been blown away by the amazing kindness of all our supporters both here in Jersey and around the world," Dr Dickie commented.

"Jersey Zoo is a vital part of Durrell's global conservation work and an iconic part of the island's heritage. In June, we launched the Love Your Zoo campaign because we really needed help. Now, thanks to our generous donors and loyal members, we have reached our target of £1m, which means that not only will we endure this crisis, we will thrive into the future and continue doing what we are here for – saving species from extinction.

"A huge, heartfelt thank you goes to all of our wonderful supporters for believing in Durrell and helping us when we needed it most."