Zoo animals need your help amid the Coronavirus crisis

A local zoo, Wild Discovery based at Ribby Hall Village is now temporarily closed due to the coronavirus along with many other zoos across the world. 

However, work continues by a dedicated team of keepers as the animals still need caring for and feeding.

Neil the Zoo Director explained “we have been closed for 3 weeks now and without any customers visiting the zoo, our finances are virtually gone and feeding the animals is my biggest worry.  We have some stock, but it won’t see us through the weeks of uncertainty that are ahead as most of it is fresh produce that we need on a regular basis.” 

Wild Discovery is home to over 500 animals and focuses on providing customers with an interactive and educational experience, through its daily talks and activities. Many of the animals at Wild Discovery are endangered or are part of vital breeding programmes to secure their future in the wild. 
All the animals at the zoo require a varied diet to stay healthy, including fresh vegetables, fruit, meat, fish and dried foods. 

Neil explained “we spend over £2500.00 a month food and bedding for the animals, so without an income from admissions the zoo faces a very uncertain future.”  Many of the animals require several meals during the day, including the young family of Asian Short Clawed otters that are now five months old!

Wild Discovery is home to some of the worlds most endangered animals such as Wild Cats and Philippine Crocodile, of whom will become extinct if it wasn’t for the work we do at the zoo and the conservation work in the native countries. We fund our conservation projects throughout the year totalling £15,000.00 per year.

You can virtually visit Wild Discovery every weekday at 1pm when they do a live animal talk and keeper question time on our Facebook page.

If you can donate to help the zoo during this crisis please get in touch by sending them an email info@wilddiscovery.co.uk for more information or see other ways in which you can help on our website wilddiscovery.co.uk and on their GoFundMe page.